IOWA CITY, Iowa – Fighting Illini Soccer topped the Iowa Hawkeyes, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon in Iowa City. Junior Kara Marbury and redshirt senior Taylore Peterson both netted goals in the match, carrying Illinois to a Big Ten road victory. The Orange and Blue improve to 6-10-1 overall and 3-5-1 in league play.
"Today was a Big Ten road win where we may not have played our best, but we found a way to grind out the win," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "These are three points that we had to have, and now we just have to continue to focus on the things we can control: our effort, our training mentality, and taking care of our bodies."
Illinois took an early lead in the game on Sunday as Marbury scored the first goal of the afternoon in the 19th minute. Redshirt senior Reagan Robishaw took advantage of a through-ball and carried it up towards the Hawkeye goal. She crossed it to Marbury who knocked it in at the far post. The goal is Marbury's third of the season, while Robishaw earns her first assist of the year.
Marbury led Illinois with four first-half shots, as she put three of those on goal. As a team, Illinois fired seven shots in the first half, allowing five from the Hawkeyes. Robishaw and Stucky joined Marbury on the attack as they each put a shot on frame before the halftime break.
The Illini worked to maintain their lead throughout the second half of play as Iowa tried to put the pressure on. Peterson gave the Illini a two-goal lead in the 85th minute of play. Peterson fired a long ball that slipped right past the Iowa keeper and gave Illinois the win as the Hawkeyes scored their only goal of the game in the 88th minute. The Orange and Blue held Iowa to just three shots in the second half.
The Illini took four shots in the second half, outshooting the Hawkeyes 11-8 in the match. Senior goalkeeper Claire Wheatley grabbed two saves and earned her third win of the season.
Illinois will return to Champaign to host Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. The game will mark senior night, as the program will honor its graduating members prior to the match. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for all the latest on Illinois soccer.
