EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Fighting Illini junior Morgan Maroney netted her first career goal on Thursday night, giving Illinois an overtime victory over the Evansville Purple Aces, 2-1. Sophomore Kelly Maday also netted her first career goal in the match, helping to lift Illinois over Evansville. With the victory, Illinois improves to 2-3-0 on the season.
"We found a way to get a result tonight and that's a step in the right direction," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "I challenged this group at halftime - to work harder, to work smarter, to battle from the start, to believe in their collective ability and to compete. That challenge wasn't just for tonight - it was an everyday, every moment challenge. From that mentality will emerge the team we know we can be."
Illini senior Kara Marbury came out strong offensively to start the game, posting the first shot off of a corner kick in the sixth minute. She stayed aggressive through the opening period, tallying four shots before halftime. Despite the offensive push, Evansville took a 1-0 lead into the break, netting a goal in the 40th minute of play.
The Illini didn't let the lead stand for long, however, as Maday netted the equalizer in the 55th minute
by beating the defender and slipping the ball past the Evansville goalkeeper. Both Maday and Marbury fired five shots a piece in regulation, and Maroney also put one on frame.
Maroney would add one more shot for the Illini in the overtime period as she scored the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute. 
She capitalized off of a long pass from freshman Gabbi Chapa who earned her first career assist on the play.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed three saves in the match, and the Orange and Blue carded 13 shots to Evansville's nine.
Next up, the Illini are set for a 12 p.m. CT kick off at Miami on Sunday. Fans can follow along on live stats or check in to @IlliniSoccer on Twitter. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois soccer.
