CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini senior Kara Marbury tallied her third goal of the season on Saturday, giving Illinois a 1-0 victory over Northwestern. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham also carded six saves in the match to shutout the Wildcats. With the win, Illinois improves to 5-10-0 on the season and 2-5-0 in Big Ten play.
"I thought the conditions made it a little slick tonight," head coach Janet Rayfield said, "but given the conditions, we did the kind of things we wanted to; we created the kind of chances that we wanted to. We've said all along, that if we can execute on restarts, we can give ourselves a chance to win. Certainly, that goal tonight is an example of that."
The Orange and Blue came out fighting on a damp Saturday evening, working to keep the ball on Northwestern's half of the field. The Illini midfield maintained possession for much of the first half, but the Wildcats fired the first few shots of the match. Northwestern posted seven shots before the break, but Illini goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham kept the Wildcats scoreless before the break. She tallied two of her saves in the opening period, and finished with six saves on the night.
Illini sophomore Arianna Veland posted a shot late in the first half for Illinois as she carried the ball up the field and fired a long shot that landed just wide of the net. Illinois continued that offensive attack into the second half, as UI fired back-to-back shots in the 54th and 55th minutes of the match. The Illini recorded four shots early in the second half before taking a 1-0 lead.
Marbury netted the game-winner for Illinois in the 69th minute, converting a free kick from junior Lauren Ciesla. The goal marks the third for Marbury this season, while the assist is the second for Ciesla this year.
The Wildcats pressured the Illinois defense with seven corner kicks to close the match, but the Orange and Blue continued to shut out Northwestern and remain on top. With the victory, Cunningham earns her second-career shutout. She has racked up 92 saves so far this season, which moves her into sixth all-time on Illinois single-season saves list.
The Illini are at home again next weekend, hosting Wisconsin (Oct. 12) and Minnesota (Oct. 15). Thursday's game will mark the annual Kick for a Cure, while Illinois will honor its seniors on Sunday at Hail to the Orange Day.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois Soccer.
