Sunday afternoon will see the Illinois State Redbirds host the UT Martin Skyhawks at Adelaide Street Field, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+ and admission will be free, offering fans a chance to watch the early‑season clash without leaving their seats.
The meeting marks only the second encounter in the all‑time series between the two programs, and Illinois State carries a 1‑0 edge after a 2025 victory that gave the Redbirds a 2‑0 start to the campaign. That opening win came on the heels of a 2‑0 shutout over Lindenwood, a performance that has set a positive tone for the squad.
UT Martin, meanwhile, enters the game with a 1‑0‑2 record and a distinctive second‑half scoring pattern; all five of the Skyhawks’ goals this season have arrived after the break. Goalkeeper Madi Valenti has been a cornerstone of that effort, posting 18 career shutouts and sitting fourth on the program’s all‑time list while chasing two more saves to climb to fifth in school history.
The Redbirds’ defensive standout, Valenti, also leads the team in career saves and will be looking to extend her record when the Skyhawks fire their final 45 minutes of shots, a period in which they have accounted for 23 of their 37 total attempts. Adding to the narrative, Unni Wolf has paced UT Martin with two goals, while Rylann Law became the first Missouri Valley Conference player to net in back‑to‑back matches this season.
The story also carries a sentimental note as Illinois State prepares to retire the No. 14 jersey of legend Rachel Tejada during the upcoming Julie Heidecke/Alumni celebration on October 4. Tejada, the only player in MVC history to earn Conference Player of the Year four times, sits atop the Redbirds’ career charts with 74 goals, 42 assists and 190 points, having guided the team to three regular‑season titles and four straight tournament championships.
A Milestone Night for Illinois State Soccer
With the stage set for a compelling encounter, the match will also spotlight other emerging talents such as Haley Smith and Priya Gillan, whose contributions could shape the next chapter of these programs. As the Redbirds aim to build on their 2‑0 start and the Skyhawks look to capitalize on their late‑game firepower, fans can expect a contest that blends historic milestones with fresh ambitions.