CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer is set to open its Big Ten Conference slate to conclude this season-long five-match homestand at Demirjian Park with a match against Michigan State on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. CT.
The 2022 season marks the 26th season of Illinois soccer, with the Illini holding an overall record of 275-204-40 (.568), and the 21st season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.
Last Time Out
Illinois went 1-0-1 last week to extend their unbeaten streak to three matches, the second time this season they have gone three matches without a defeat. The Illini took home a 1-0 over Missouri on Sept. 8, thanks to Kendra Pasquale’s first-half goal. It was the third clean sheet kept by Illinois this season and their first since a 1-0 win over No. 17 Butler on Aug. 25. The Orange and Blue then earned a draw against Loyola on Sunday, with Maeve Jones’ first goal of the season late in the second half getting the Illini the result.
Scouting Michigan State
The Illini lead the all-time series with the Spartans, 23-3-3. The two programs are facing off for the first time since March 28, 2021, where Illinois came away with a 2-1 victory in East Lansing. Illinois has not lost to Michigan State in regulation since Sept. 20, 2002, and have won 11 of the last 12 matchups, dating back to Oct. 30, 2009. The Spartans went 1-0-1 in their previous matchweek, which included a scoreless draw against in-state foe Oakland and a 4-2 win against No. 19 Colorado. Michigan State has gone 1-1-1 in road matches this season.
Michigan State was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten, with defender Ruby Diodati, goalkeeper Lauren Kozal and defender Samantha White all tabbed as pre-season players to watch. Kozal is the reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and was also named a United Soccer Coaches All-American last season.
Illini Notes
- Junior goalkeeper Julia Cili is tied with Purdue’s Sara Kile for most saves (37) by a Big Ten keeper this season. Her 4.63 saves per game also ranks second in the conference.
- The victory over No. 17 Butler on Aug. 25 was Illinois’ first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Pepperdine on Aug. 30, 2019. The Illini handed the Bulldogs just their fourth loss at Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl since 2017.
- For the fourth-straight season, the Illinois soccer team opened the year with a victory as the Illini posted a 1-0 win over Illinois State in the season opener last Thursday at Demirjian Park.
- Freshman Sarah Foley had an impressive debut for Illinois as she scored her first collegiate goal just 30 seconds after subbing into Illinois’ 4-1 win over Toledo on Aug. 21. She also added an assist later in the match for a total of three points on the day. She tallied six shots, with three on goal in her first collegiate match.
- The Illini are entering their 26th season of competition, and the 21st under head coach Janet Rayfield.
- Illinois is coming off a 5-11-1 season, including a 1-8-1 mark in Big Ten action.
- The Illini are returning 24 letterwinners from last season, while welcoming in nine newcomers to the roster.
- Pasquale is the leading point getter returning from the 2021 squad with 10 points on four goals and two assists. The redshirt-senior owns 11 goals and five assists in her Illini career.
- Also returning is sophomore Sydney Stephens, who led the Illini with five assists on the season.
- The Illini return 10 players with 10+ starts last season (Makena Silber, Kendra Pasquale, Aleah Treiterer, Ashley Cathro, Eileen Murphy, Sydney Stephens, Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal, Maeve Jones, Angie Galo, Mackenzie Schuler).
- Freshman Lia Howard was named the 2021-22 Gatorade New York Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
- The Big Ten announced its Women’s Soccer Preseason Players to Watch List on August 15 with redshirt-seniors Ashley Cathro and Kendra Pasquale and senior Eileen Murphy representing the Illini.
- Cathro played in all 17 matches and started in 16 for the Illini a season ago, while also leading the team in minutes played (1,502) during the 2021 season.
Next Up
The Illini hit the road for a pair of matches, first with an East Coast trip to take on Maryland on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. CT. They will then take on No. 8 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 25, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT.
