CHAMPAIGN – Illini senior Kelly Maday netted her fourth goal of the season on Friday evening as the Orange and Blue hosted Michigan for the annual Soktoberfest event. The visiting Wolverines waged strong attack at Demirjian Park, however, defeating Illinois, 4-1. Maday and sophomore Makena Silber combined for seven shots on Friday evening, and senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed four saves on the night. Illinois moves to 7-6-0 on the season and 1-5-0 in Big Ten play. UI will host Michigan State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Disappointed in the results, I thought our effort and our energy in the first half was what we want," head coach Janet Rayfield said after the match. "We didn't defend collectively consistently and they {Michigan} capitalized on those chances that we gave them. We're going to keep working until we get it right. That's what Fighting Illini do, we keep working until we get it right. I thought we got in and created some chances tonight, Michigan challenged us to play behind them and I thought we did that. Kelly {Maday} and Makena {Silber} really threatened them, but we have to be better defensively as a team."
The Illini and the Wolverines both worked to establish an early lead in the game right from the start, as junior Hope Breslin fired the first shot of the game in the third minute of play. The Wolverines followed that with a shot of their own just over a minute later. Michigan continued to stay on the attack, adding another pair of shots early in the game. UI continued to fight, working to keep the ball in the midfield. The Illini moved things into their attacking half in the 13th minute as senior Arianna Veland fired a shot for the Orange and Blue.
Michigan found the back of the net in the 25th minute of the match, and held the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break. Silber responded to the Michigan goal with a shot of her own just 20 seconds later as the two teams battled throughout the first half. Illinois fired six first-half shots, putting two of those on frame. The visiting Wolverines put three of their nine first-half shots on goal.
Starting the second half on the attack, Silber continued to pressure Michigan as she put a shot on goal just two minutes into the half. UI worked to use a pair of corner kicks to their advantage in the 58th minute as well, as seniors Lexi Carrier and Veland posted shots for Illinois.
Despite another shot from Silber in the 60th minute, the Wolverines extended their lead to two just five minutes later. Illinois continued to fight as Meredith Johnson-Monfort responded to the Michigan goal with a shot of her own. Michigan again extended its advantage in the 84th minute of play on Friday evening, but Maday responded almost immediately.
Carrier sent a long ball up the field for Maday, who chased the serve into the box, beating the Michigan defender and taking advantage of a deflection off the Wolverine goalkeeper. The score marks the fourth for Maday this season and the 10th of her career.
Michigan netted its final goal of the match in the 88th minute of play, making the final score 4-1 in the Wolverines' favor. The Illini put five of their 12 shots on goal on Friday, with six different players contributing to UI's attack. Silber finished with three shots on goal, while Maday put one of her three total shots on frame. Veland also added two shots in the match.
NEXT UP
Illinois will host Michigan State on Sunday, October 13 with the annual 100 Kids vs. Illinois Soccer event set to take place after the match. All kids eighth grade and under are invited to participate in a scrimmage against the entire Illini soccer team. The first 100 kids to register will receive a unique numbered T-shirt.
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.
