Full Schedule

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Soccer and head coach Janet Rayfield announced the 2017 Illini Soccer slate on Thursday. The Illini are set for an exciting year, highlighted by seven opponents ranked or receiving votes among the 2016 final NSCAA Coaches Top 25. The Orange and Blue kick off the 2017 campaign with a three-game home stretch before heading out on a challenging road schedule.

"I am excited to see the 2017 Fighting Illini team take on this schedule," Rayfield said. "The slate of opponents and the schedule will test our preparation, our consistency and our resiliency. NCAA Champions and tournament teams, conference champions, a tough road stretch and some great home contests for our fans to enjoy - this schedule has it all."

After an exhibition matchup against Virginia, the Illini will open the season hosting Missouri and DePaul the weekend of August 18.  Illinois will host the Tigers for the first time in regular season play since the 2007 season, while this will be the first matchup between the Illini and the Blue Demons. The Orange and Blue will also welcome Washington to Champaign on August 24, meeting the Huskies at home for the first time since 2008.

Illinois will head out on a seven-game road slate beginning Sunday, August 27 down the road at Illinois State. The Illini own a 9-2-2 record against the Redbirds in program history and have won the last three matchups. 

"One of the hazards in 2017 will be the seven-game road stretch," Rayfield said. "But the postseason could be a seven-game road stretch, so what better way to prepare.  We are approaching this season and this schedule to be our best everyday with no excuses, including how many games in a row we play on the road."

UI will spend the next three weekends on the road, first at Evansville (September 1) and Miami (Ohio) (September 3), before closing nonconference play in Oklahoma, facing two 2016 NCAA Tournament teams. Illinois will take on Oklahoma State for the second time in program history on September 8 before heading to Norman to face Oklahoma on September 10. This will be the first meeting between the Fighting Illini and the Sooners.

The Illini will open Big Ten play on the road with matchups at Ohio State (September 14) and Penn State (September 17), which will be another weekend facing back-to-back 2016 NCAA Tournament teams for the Orange and Blue. Illinois will then welcome Maryland (September 22) and Rutgers (September 24) in the conference home opener. 

UI will spend one more weekend on the road, taking on Purdue (September 28) and Indiana (October 1), before heading home for three-straight matches. The Illini will welcome Northwestern for a Saturday evening contest on October 7, and continue the home stretch against Wisconsin (October 12) and Minnesota (October 15). Both Northwestern and Minnesota closed the 2016 season ranked among the NSCAA Top 25 as the Wildcats checked in at No. 18 and the Golden Gophers ranked 15^th in the country. 

"Our challenge continues right through the Big Ten schedule, where every opponent will be looking to fight their way into Big Ten and NCAA tournament spots," Rayfield said. "We will have to be ready to perform each and every contest at home and on the road. I would say we have a lot to play for this Big Ten season."

The Illini will take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Oct. 21 and close regular season play at home against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 25. The 2017 Big Ten Tournament will be held Oct. 29-November 5, and  NCAA Championship play will begin Nov. 10 and continue through Dec. 3's Championship game in Orlando, Florida. Game times and dates may be subject to change. 

Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for all the latest on Illinois soccer. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter (@IlliniSoccer), Instagram (@IlliniSoccer) and Facebook (/IlliniSoccer).