CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini soccer earned its second victory of the weekend on Sunday, defeating SIUE, 5-0. The Illini squad distributed its scoring among four different players, led by senior Katie Murray who tallied two goals on the day. Freshman Makena Silber got things started for Illinois, however, as she posted the first goal of the match in the 33rd second of play. Senior Caroline Ratz and junior Kelly Maday also added to the Illini scoring, while, defensively, junior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham earned her second shutout of the season. Illinois improves to 4-2-0 on the season, and will host Illinois State on Sunday, September 9.
"This is a team that's playing for each other and playing unselfishly," Rayfield said of the scoring distribution on Sunday. "That kind of unselfish play, but also taking personal responsibility is how you get goal scoring across the spectrum."
Maday helped the Illini pick up momentum right after kick off, as she sent a pass up to Silber who took a touch past the SIUE goalkeeper to net the open shot. The goal is the third for Silber this season, while Maday earned her first assist of the season and the third of her career. Maday also netted a goal for the Illini on Sunday, finding the back of the net in the 58th minute for a 4-0 Illinois advantage. She carried a pass from freshman Ashley Cathro past the Cougar defenders and found the far corner of the goal.
Senior Katie Murray continued the scoring for Illinois in the first half, recording her first goal of the day in the 26th minute. She fired her first shot of the game at the SIUE net, but it bounced back at her off the post. Murray beat the Cougar defender and was able to turn the ball and finish another shot into the back of the net.
Senior Caroline Ratz put Illinois ahead, 3-0, before halftime as she netted her second goal of the season in the 42nd minute. Sophomore Maggie Hillman split two SIUE defenders with a pass to Ratz who fired her shot around the Cougar goalkeeper. Hillman has racked up two assists so far this year, and she added a shot for the Orange and Blue on Sunday.
"The biggest thing right now is that we trust each other with the ball and we trust each other to get on the end of a service," Rayfield said of Illinois' scoring. "When you have that kind of trust, then all of a sudden people are making runs and getting into the box, and balls are going into the back of the net."
Murray finished off Illinois' scoring in the 86th minute as she converted a free kick from the top of the box. Murray leads Illinois in scoring so far this season, as she has carded four goals and racked up 10 points.
UI outshot SIUE 8-1 in the first half, and finished with a 14-4 advantage. A total of 10 different Illini fired shots in Sunday's match, led by Murray who tallied four shots and put three on goal.
The Illini defense allowed just three SIUE shots in the second half, and junior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed four saves in the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Sami Sample made her first career appearance in the contest, playing just over 14 minutes.
"We're playing good collective defense," Rayfield said after the game. "That certainly starts with our goalkeeper, but really, I think our mentality to play defense, deny teams shots and to deny them services really has to do with a collective defensive mentality right now."
NEXT UP
Illinois will stay at home next weekend, welcoming the Illinois State Redbirds at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 9. The game will mark the annual 100 Kids vs. Illinois Soccer event. Click here to register. The first 100 kids to register will receive an exclusive 100 Kids event t-shirt numbered 1-100. If you are not one of the first 100 kids to register, you will receive a Future Fighting Illini t-shirt. The game will also be a Family Sunday event, featuring a balloon artist on the track. Fans in attendance at the game will also receive a free vuvuzela to help cheer on the Orange and Blue.
"We have to really focus on Illinois State," Rayfield said of the next game. "That's a team that always comes here and gives us their best game. We're going to take some time off this week and physically recover, but there are still some things we can continue to do better. We're turning the ball over a little bit too much, so we'll work on that this week."
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.
