McLean County Times

Illinois State University had four women's soccer players recognized in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) postseason awards for 2025, according to an announcement from the conference office.

Redshirt sophomore Madi Valenti was named MVC Goalkeeper of the Year after a standout season. She is the first Illinois State goalkeeper to win this honor since Aryn Newsom in 2013. Valenti also received All-MVC First Team honors, making her the first Redbird goalkeeper with that distinction since Haley Smith in 2019.

Valenti led the MVC with 10 shutouts during the season, tying for the most in a single year by any Illinois State goalkeeper and ranking sixth nationally as of November 3. In a recent match against Southern Illinois, she recorded three saves, bringing her season total to a conference-best 76 saves. This marks her second time achieving a top-10 single-season save total at Illinois State. With 156 career saves, Valenti ranks sixth all-time in program history.

Senior Jade Rehberger earned her first All-MVC First Team selection after contributing significantly to Illinois State's defensive performance. The team posted 11 shutouts—the highest in the MVC and tied for seventh nationally—during the campaign. Rehberger surpassed 1,000 minutes played for the fourth straight year and started every game except two, totaling over 6,200 career minutes—a milestone reached by only ten players in program history. On October 23, she scored her first career goal against Drake, helping secure an unbeaten home record in conference play for Illinois State for the first time since 2016.

Freshman Grace Petrie was selected for both the All-MVC Third Team and All-MVC Freshman Team after leading all Redbird freshmen with more than 1,700 minutes played this season and playing full matches in sixteen consecutive games. Petrie received Freshman of the Week honors twice during the year.

Another freshman, Rylann Law, joined Petrie on the All-MVC Freshman Team. Together they are the first pair of Redbirds to earn this honor in one season since Sarah LaFayette and Ashley Santos did so in 2017. Law scored four goals during her debut season—including two goals against IU-Indy—becoming the first freshman with a two-goal game since Hannah Muller in September 2018.

With these selections, Illinois State continues its streak of having at least one player on the All-MVC Freshman Team each year for ten seasons. The six total awards represent their highest single-season total since 2017.

Head Coach Raleigh DeRose commented on her team's recognition: "I am beyond proud of these players and all they have accomplished throughout the season. Their talent is undeniable, but it's their hard work and determination to continually develop that talent that truly define who they are. Their daily commitment to competing and improving has been the key to their success and our team's success."

For additional information about tickets or team updates visit GoRedbirds.com or use the official Illinois State Redbirds App.