CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer opened the 2017 campaign on Friday night, hosting the Missouri Tigers. Freshman Arianna Veland netted her first career goal in the matchup, but the Orange and Blue fell to the Tigers, 3-1. Illinois falls to 0-1-0 on the season and will return to the field Sunday to host DePaul at 1 p.m.
"We have said from day one that we have to focus on ourselves getting better every day and that is what we need to continue to do," head coach Janet Rayfield said after the match. "We learned some tough lessons tonight and it will make us better. There were some bright spots with several of our young players performing well tonight, and we will build on those. Our veterans will look in the mirror and know that, collectively, we can be better. We adopted "Kaizen" as a motto for a reason - we know this team is just starting its journey."
The Illini looked to make an immediate impact in the match as UI put up the first two shots of the game. Freshman Hope Breslin looked to score off of a header, and tallied two shots on the night. Missouri countered with its first shot of the night in the 19th minute, but the game remained scoreless for most of the first half.
In the 42nd minute, the Illini fought to capitalize off of a flip throw in from sophomore Alicia Barker. Freshman Maggie Hillman took her first career shot from inside the box, but it was deflected by a Tiger defender. Veland then took advantage of the loose ball and put the Illini ahead at the half.
Missouri came out fast in the second half, firing a shot in the 48th minute. Illini Junior Patricia George responded immediately with a shot of her own, however. George finished with two shots on the night as well. Missouri's Macy Trujillo tied the game in the 50th minute, and the Tigers added two late goals to earn the 3-1 victory.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham tallied five saves for the Illini on Friday, earning her first career start.
Several other fresh faces hit the field for Illinois, as freshmen Chapa and Breslin joined sophomores Cunningham and Veland and junior Lauren Ciesla in the starting lineup for the first time in their careers. Freshmen Hillman and Katie Le also made their first career appearances for the Orange and Blue.
Illinois returns to action on Sunday, hosting the DePaul Blue Demons at 1 p.m. The game will mark the annual camper reunion, and the Illini will hold a free youth clinic at the conclusion of play. Fans can register for the youth clinic in advance, or at the marketing table at Illinois Soccer Stadium beginning Sunday at 1 p.m.
