CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini soccer fell to Minnesota on Sunday, 4-0, battling cold and windy conditions. The Gophers took an early lead in the match, and used a late attack to secure their victory. Despite the loss, Illinois implemented a balanced offensive attack as seven different players fired shots for the Orange and Blue on the day. Illinois moves to 5-12-0 and 2-7-0 in Big Ten play.
Marbury started the Illini attack on Sunday, firing the first shot of the day. The Orange and Blue continued to keep the pressure on Minnesota's half of the field, despite the Golden Gophers taking a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of play. UI outshot Minnesota 5-3 in the first half as five different Illini fired at the Minnesota net, including sophomore Taylor Haynes who carded her first career shot. Patricia George, Katherine Ratz and Arianna Veland all contributed to Illinois' first-half attack.
The Orange and Blue continued to battle against both the Gophers and the wind in the second half of play. Freshman Hope Breslin posted a shot on goal for the Illini, but Minnesota used the wind to its advantage, firing four shots to start the second half. The Gophers surged in the last 12 minutes of play, netting their second goal off of a free kick in the 78th minute. The visitors took a three-goal lead with another score in the 87th minute of the game, and converted a penalty kick in the same minute for the 4-0 victory.
Illini senior Darci Dietrich earned her first career start in goal for the Illini, and sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed two saves for UI.
Prior to the match, Illinois honored its five graduating seniors, Ratz, Dietrich, Marbury, Emily Osoba and Olivia Schmitt.
"It's important that we don't let the result of that game impact the gratitude that we have for this senior class and what they've done for this program," said head coach Janet Rayfield. "The number of hours and sweat for four years. Years from now the score of this game won't matter, but their impact on the program certainly will."
Next up, the Illini will travel to Michigan on Saturday, October 21 for a 6:30 p.m. match up against the Wolverines. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois soccer.
