Madi Valenti, the Illinois State goalkeeper who backstopped the Redbirds to one of their most dominant defensive seasons in program history, has been selected for the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch list for the 2026 campaign. The recognition underscores a year in which Valenti turned heads with a string of spectacular performances between the posts.
A Season Defined by Records
During the 2025 campaign Valenti captured United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's All-Midwest Region Third Team honors and was crowned Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, the first ISU keeper to earn the accolade since 2013. Her impact was immediate: she posted twelve shutouts, shattering both the Illinois State and MVC single‑season records and contributing to a program‑record thirteen team shutouts.
Valenti's statistical dominance extended beyond clean sheets. She finished the year with a .853 save percentage, placing her seventh all‑time in school history, and recorded a career‑high eighty‑six saves, tying for seventh in a single season. Her durability was on full display as she logged 1,958 minutes played and appeared in every one of the team's twenty‑two matches, setting a new school mark for minutes in a season.
Beyond the numbers, Valenti's leadership proved pivotal. Her presence steadied a defensive unit that consistently limited opponents, allowing the Redbirds to compete at the highest level within the Missouri Valley Conference. Teammates and coaches alike credit her communication and poise as catalysts for the squad's collective confidence.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Players to Watch list, which highlights returning standouts and recent All‑America and All‑Region selections, positions Valenti as a central figure for Illinois State as they prepare for the upcoming regular season. With a foundation built on record‑setting performances, she is expected to continue shaping the team's defensive identity and perhaps push the program even further in the seasons to come.