Illinois...

...is 1-2 on the season boasting a victory over DePaul

...has seen goals from three different players 

...returns its top two goal-scorers from last season

...is set to face four opponents ranked in the preseason top 25

...freshmen combined to play 470 minutes last weekend

...welcomes 10 newcomers this season

...has a 235-155-35 all-time soccer record

THE 2017 CAMPAIGN

The Illini are set for an exciting year, highlighted by seven opponents ranked or receiving votes among the 2016 final NSCAA Coaches Top 25. The Orange and Blue kicked off the 2017 campaign with a pair of home games last weekend and will host one more match before heading out on a challenging road schedule. Four of Illinois' opponents this season were also ranked among the NSCAA Preseason Top 25. 

SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS

Illinois State opened the 2017 campaign last weekend with a  tie at Eastern Michigan and a loss to No. 23-ranked Northwestern. The Redbirds tallied a 14-6-3 record last season, finishing first in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team returns key players including Kelli Zickert who was among team leaders for her six goals last season. ISU also returns sophomore Haley Smith who made 22 appearances last year. The team will travel to St. Louis Friday before hosting Illinois on Sunday. 

WASHINGTON RECAP

Fighting Illini sophomore Arianna Veland netted her second goal of the season on Thursday night, but the Orange and Blue could not overcome the Washington Huskies. Washington tallied two early goals and managed to maintain its advantage despite a late push from the Illini offense.

TRIO OF ILLINI SCORE ON OPENING WEEKEND

The Illini split a pair of matches to open the 2017 campaign, but the Orange and Blue saw offensive prowess from several different players. Sophomore Arianna Veland netted her first career goal against Missouri, while junior Lauren Ciesla also scored her first goal against DePaul. Last season's leading scorer, junior Patricia George also netted one for Illinois. 

NEW FACES

With a young squad in 2017, the Illini saw plenty of fresh faces hit the field during opening weekend as six of Illinois' 10 newcomers made appearances for the Orange and Blue. Freshmen Hope Breslin and Gabbi Chapa earned the start in both matches. Four of UI's 18 shots fired over the weekend came from the freshman class, while another four were fired by sophomores. 

STADIUM UPGRADES

Fans will notice a new look inside Illinois Soccer Stadium this season as the Orange and Blue upgraded the facility's decor.  The Illini are proud to represent the new branding of the Illinois athletics department and hope fans enjoy the new look as well. 

B1G PRESEASON HONORS

Three Illini were named to the Big Ten Conference Preseason Honors List on August 14, as announced by the Big Ten Conference. Senior Kara Marbury and sophomores Katie Murray and Morgan Maroney were listed on the conference's honor list. The Preseason Honors List is decided upon by the league's coaches and is composed of 42 student-athletes. The league also announced the 2017 Preseason Women's Soccer Poll, where the Illini checked in at No. 10 on the list. Coming in at No. 1 is Penn State, who the Illini will see on Sept. 17.

ROAD TRIP

The Illini start the 2017 season with three home games, but will head out on the road for seven straight matches. Illinois will head out on a seven-game road slate beginning Sunday at Illinois State. The Illini own a 9-2-2 record against the Redbirds in program history and have won the last three matchups. UI will spend the next three weekends on the road, first at Evansville (September 1) and Miami (Ohio) (September 3), before closing nonconference play in Oklahoma, facing two 2016 NCAA Tournament teams. Illinois will take on Oklahoma State for the second time in program history on September 8 before heading to Norman to face Oklahoma on September 10. This will be the first meeting between the Fighting Illini and the Sooners.

ILLINI ADD TEN NEWCOMERS

The Illinois roster will have a fresh look this season with the addition of 10 talented newcomers. The 2017 Illini squad is composed of 17 underclassmen and will be led by a group of six seniors. The 2017 signing class includes Hope Breslin (Massapequa, New York), Elizabeth Cablk (Naperville, Illinois), Gabbi Chapa (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Jayna Fittipaldo (McDonald, Pennsylvania), Maggie Hillman (Naperville, Illinois), Sabryn Kapp (LaGrange, Kentucky), Katie Le (Centreville, Virginia), Sami Sample (South Elgin, Illinois), Haley Singer (Naperville, Illinois) and Madi Wolfbauer (Canton, Michigan). 

"The 2017 Fighting Illini Soccer class makes us better in every area of the game: goalkeeping, goal scoring, playmaking and defending with pride and tenacity," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "This class of hard-working, disciplined and committed young women will also sustain and enhance our culture of integrity and excellence both on and off the field.   I have high expectations for them to contribute to the future success of this program on the field but also to contribute to the university, the Champaign-Urbana community and to make a difference in the world around them.  We are proud to welcome these 10 new members to the Illinois family."

ILLINI IN NICARAGUA

The Fighting Illini soccer team took time this summer to venture to Nicaragua for a 10-day service trip. While in Central America, the Orange and Blue partnered with the Soccer Without Borders program to host clinics and work with young children and schools in Granada. The Illini also had the opportunity to spend a few days in Managua where the team trained with and competed against the Nicaragua Women's National team and the Nicaragua U-20 Women's National team. In addition to their time on the field, the Illini had some time to explore some of the beauty that the Nicaragua landscape has to offer.

CARRYING THE MOMENTUM

The 2016 Illini squad closed the season on a high note, as the program netted eight of its goals in its last six games. Prior to that stretch, the Illini had posted just two goals over a period of six games. The 2017 squad will look to carry that momentum into this year's campaign right from the get-go. The Illini return top goal-scorers in Kara Marbury and Patricia George, in addition to Katie Murray who also contributed to Illinois' scoring last season.  

ALL-TIME WINS COUNTER

Since becoming a varsity sport in 1997, the University of Illinois women's soccer team has compiled an overall record of 235-157-35 with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in 20 seasons. Head coach Janet Rayfield (178-115-32) is responsible for 76-percent of those wins and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in her 15 seasons at the helm.

UI NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY

Illinois has played in the NCAA Tournament 12 times in 20 seasons and are 11-12-3 all-time in tournament action. UI's top finish was the Elite Eight during the 2004 season, while they also reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2006, 2008 and 2013.