CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini soccer defeated the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday night in a 1-0 victory at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium. Illini senior Katie Murray scored Illinois' game-winning goal in the 48th minute of the match, and the Orange and Blue defense continued to fight to keep the Spartans scoreless on the night. UI improves to 7-5-0 overall on the season and 2-3-0 in Big Ten play.
"Certainly happy with the results and happy with the fight," Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Michigan State is a team that really puts you under pressure with the balls they play over the top. I give credit to our defense, they did a really good job of helping each other out, reading the service, fighting through the battles and helping us come away with a shutout and a win."
The Orange and Blue played strongly from the start on Saturday, forcing an early corner kick in the match. Illini freshman Makena Silber fired the first shot of the day in the fourth minute of play. UI was strong on the attack and on defense, holding the Spartans without a shot until the 42nd minute of the match. Illinois outshot Michigan State, 6-2 in the first half and put two shots on frame before the break.
Illinois continued to pressure the Spartans in the second half, earning a scoring opportunity just a few minutes in. Illini sophomore Maggie Hillman fired a shot from outside the box in the 48th minute of the match, but it was punched back into the box by the Spartan keeper. Not for long, however, as Murray took advantage of the rebound and used a header to net the only goal of the match. The score marks the fifth for Murray this season and the 10th of her career. She leads the Orange and Blue with 13 points on the year.
Illinois' back line was put to work almost immediately as the Spartans responded with a shot on goal just two minutes later. The Orange and Blue continued to fight to limit MSU's chances, and junior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed two saves in the second half to keep the Spartans without a goal.
UI outshot MSU, 10-8, in Saturday's match, and the Illini put four shots on frame. Murray led Illinois' with four shots in the match, while Maggie Hillman also added two for the Illini.
With Saturday's victory, Illinois now holds a 19-3-3 all-time record against Michigan State and has won the 15 of the last 18 matchups against the Spartans, including the last seven matchups in Champaign.
NEXT UP
Illinois hits the road next weekend for a pair of East coast matchups. The Orange and Blue will travel to Maryland to face the Terps at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, October 4. The match will air live on the Big Ten Network. Illinois will then take on Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey on Sunday, October 7 in a noon contest.
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