MADISON, Wisconsin – Fighting Illini Soccer dropped a hard-fought, double-overtime battle to the 22nd-ranked Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday, 1-0. Illini goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed five saves in the match, and the Orange and Blue pressured for several late scoring chances, but Wisconsin found the back of the net in the 104th minute. Illinois moves to 6-3-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in Big Ten play. The Illini return to Champaign to host Ohio State on Thursday for Kick Cancer Night.
The Illini and the Badgers battled back-and-forth throughout much of the first half, with the Illini defense holding Wisconsin without a shot until the 10th minute of play. Senior Katie Murray responded for the Orange and Blue just one minute later, firing a shot over the Badger goal. Cunningham pulled in three saves before the halftime break, and the Illini defenders worked to keep the Badgers at bay. Wisconsin tallied six shots before halftime, allowing one from the Orange and Blue.
The two teams continued to clash throughout the midfield throughout the second half. Wisconsin fired five shots after the break, but the Illini picked up momentum as well. Illinois forced a corner kick in the 81st minute, and senior Morgan Maroney put a shot on goal for the Illini. She stayed on the attack, making a late run just a minute later. Junior Kelly Maday added another shot for the Illini in the 86th minute, but the game remained scoreless.
Cunningham sent the match into the second overtime period of the day with a save in the 98th minute as the Illini allowed the Badgers just one shot in the first overtime. Maday struck again for the Illini in the 100th minute of the match, and helped to force another corner kick for the Orange and Blue. The Badgers ended it, however, with a goal in the 104th minute of play.
NEXT UP
The Illini are back at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Thursday, September 20, hosting Ohio State at 7 p.m. The match will mark Kick Cancer Night and feature a ribbon tying tribute on a goal net. UI will then host Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 22 for the annual Soktoberfest. An annual tradition, Soktoberfest includes inflatables and a face painter for all fans, plus free food. In conjunction with the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Induction weekend, the Illini will honor 2018 inductee Tara Hurless at the game and also welcome back soccer alumni.
FOLLOW THE ILLINI
Fans can keep up with the Fighting Illini Soccer squad on social media for an even more inside look at the program. Follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
