STILLWATER, Okla. – Fighting Illini soccer fell to No. 18 Oklahoma State on Friday, 2-0. The Cowgirls netted two first-half goals to secure the victory on their home field. Junior Katie Murray led the Illini with four shots, putting two on goal, and sophomore Kelly Maday was also among Illini leaders with three shots. With the loss, Illinois moves to 3-4-0 on the season.
"Today's game was a completely different level of physicality," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "But we dealt with it, we battled and defended hard; when we moved the ball we created things in the offensive end. This team is getting better every game, and if we stay the course, the results are going to come."
With the wind at their backs, the Cowgirls came out strong on their home field and took an early lead in the game. Oklahoma State netted its first goal in the fourth minute, and extended its lead with another goal in the 20th minute. The Orange and Blue fought to stop the Oklahoma State attack throughout the first half, and sophomore goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham tallied three saves before the break. The Cowgirls fired 11 shots in the half, allowing three from the Illini. Murray tallied two of those three shots, putting both on goal. Sophomore Arianna Veland also added a shot on goal before the break.
The Cowgirls remained strong after the break, but Cunningham denied six OSU shots to shut them out in the second half. Junior Lauren Ciesla got the Illini offense going in the second half, firing a shot in the 55th minute. Maday and freshman Maggie Hillman also contributed to the Illini attack with consecutive shots. Illinois fired a flurry of shots late in the game, posting five shots in the last six minutes of play. The OSU defense stayed strong, however, and held the Illini without a goal.
Oklahoma State outshot Illinois 22-12 in the game, and the Orange and Blue put four shots on goal and forced four corner kicks. Cunningham grabbed nine saves in the match.
The Illini will continue their trip within the state of Oklahoma as UI is set to take on the Sooners in Norman on Sunday. First touch is set for noon, and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
