CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Soccer fell to 2-5-0 on the season Friday, after suffering a 1-0 double-overtime loss to Miami (Ohio). The Illini took on the RedHawks in wet conditions, after the game was delayed due to inclement weather in just the seventh minute of play. Illini senior Ellie Ordonez saw her first collegiate action in the match, also firing a shot just high over the Miami crossbar.
"I think it is another one of those games where we played some really great soccer and did some really great things, but we weren't able to capitalize on our chances," head coach Janet Rayfield said of the match. "I give credit to Miami, they waited for their chance and were able to finish on one. We just have to put the game away earlier when we have chances; you just have to put those away or you leave yourself in this game. The more you don't score, the more you leave yourself open for something like this to happen. I am gutted for this team; they fought hard. They have worked hard. They are playing some great soccer. We just have to figure out how to find the goal-scoring piece of it. You can't win this game without scoring goals."
Illinois held the pressure on Miami throughout the contest, totaling 17 shots in the match while holding the RedHawks to just seven. The Orange and Blue put eight of those shots on goal, including one in each overtime period. Several Illini found scoring opportunities throughout the match as nine players fired at least one shot on the night. Freshman Kelly Maday put two of her four shots on goal, while sophomore Patricia George also created a few scoring opportunities in the match. Senior Hope D'Addario put one of her two shots on goal, while Arianna Veland fired two shots at the RedHawk goalkeeper.
Despite the the scoring chances, Illinois and Miami were scoreless heading into the second overtime period of the night. Veland fired a strong shot at the RedHawk keeper less than a minute into the period, but the game-winner came in the 102nd minute of play as Miami's Olivia Winnett found the back of the Illinois net.
The Illini will close the non conference slate on Sunday, hosting Evansville in a 1 p.m. contest. Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest on Illinois soccer.
