Box Score | Printable Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Illinois saw its five-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex, falling 2-0 in the Big Ten opener against Iowa. Neither team scored in the first half, while the Hawkeyes netted two goals in a seven-minute span in the second half. The Illini dropped to 5-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the Big Ten, while Iowa improved to 6-1-0 on the year and 1-0-0 in conference play.

"To be successful in the Big Ten you have to perform at your best," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We did not tonight and credit Iowa. They fought extremely hard and their senior leaders performed and made a difference in the outcome. I have to do a better job preparing us to play and our key players have to raise the level of their performance in order to win the tight battles in the Big Ten. It's a long season with a lot more games. We will rebound, and I know we will be ready to play better on Sunday."

The evenly matched contest entered halftime scoreless. Illinois held a 5-4 edge in shots and 3-2 in corner kicks, as both goalkeepers made two saves. Sophomore goalkeeper Claire Wheatley soared into the air and punched a ball above the crossbar to keep the Hawkeyes off the board in the 43rd minute.

Senior Jannelle Flaws tallied three shots in the opening frame, putting two on target, but they were both stopped by Iowa's goalkeeper Hannah Clark. Juniors Reagan Robishaw and Amy Feher each attempted a shot in the first half as well.

In the 52nd minute, Iowa grabbed a 1-0 lead on a free kick goal by Melanie Pickert, who sent a shot from just outside the box past a leaping Wheatley.

Seven minutes later, the Hawkeyes struck again on Bri Toelle's left-sided cross through the box, where Nicole Urban put it away to jump ahead 2-0 in the 59th minute. Cloe Lacasse set up the play and was credited with the assist.

The Illini finished with an 11-9 advantage in shots, but Clark made four saves to keep the ball out of the back of the net. The Orange and Blue also had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks, but were unable to capitalize on any. Flaws and Robishaw each took a team-high three shots.

Up Next: Illinois will head to Lincoln, Nebraska, for a Sunday showdown against Nebraska at 1 p.m.