CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini junior Katie Murray netted Illinois' second-half goal against No. 12 Rutgers on Sunday afternoon, scoring the first goal against the Scarlet Knights this year. Murray's goal tied the match in the 75th minute of play, but Rutgers posted the game-winner in overtime to take home a 2-1 victory. Illinois moves to 3-9-0 on the season and 0-4-0 in Big Ten play, while the Scarlet Knights remain undefeated on the year.
"I think it was another great effort from this Illini team that is forming a personality that I'm really proud of in terms of the way they fight and the way they work," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Results aren't always in your control and I thought we battled back. Rutgers hasn't given up a goal all year, and we got one. It's a credit to our team for fighting today."
The Illini pressured to maintain possession for much of the first half, but Rutgers responded and looked to capitalize off of two first-half corner kicks. The Scarlet Knights fired five shots before the break, while Illini freshman Maggie Hillman added one shot for the Illini.
Following the halftime break, Rutgers came out fast, putting a shot on goal in the 47th minute. The Illini defense held strong against Rutgers, however, until a Scarlet Knight breakaway in the 63rd minute resulted in the first goal of the match.
Illinois fought back quickly, however, as Murray netted the equalizer off of a corner kick from junior Patricia George in the 74th minute. George sent the corner kick to sophomore Lexi Carrier at the far post who flicked it to Murray for the assist. The goal marks the second for Murray this season, while the assist is the first for both George and Carrier.
Illinois was in a familiar situation on Sunday as the Illini also netted the first goal-allowed by Rutgers in 2015. On September 24, 2015, then-junior Allison Stucky scored off of an Illini corner kick to score the first goal against No. 11-ranked Rutgers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed eight saves in the match, while Rutgers put 10 of its 15 shots on frame. Cunningham has tallied 74 saves this season, a number that leads the Big Ten.
The Orange and Blue will head out on another road trip next week, taking on Purdue (September 28) and Indiana (October 1), before returning home on October 7 to host Northwestern at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois soccer.
