UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Fighting Illini junior Hope Breslin scored her sixth goal of the season on Thursday at Penn State, with the assist from senior Kelly Maday. The assist also marks the sixth this season for Maday, and the 11th of her career. Despite Breslin's goal early in the second half, the Orange and Blue fell to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday, 2-1. The Illini move to 8-7-0 on the season and 2-6-0 in Big Ten play.
"We battled, and we battled together tonight," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Proud of our effort, our sustained energy from the bench, and the fight we showed. It's a game of mistakes and capitalizing on them, and we came up one short in that category."
Breslin combined with Illini sophomore Makena Silber to get the Orange and Blue off to an early attack in University Park. The two combined for two shots in the first five minutes of play, and continued to stay strong on Illinois' offensive half of the field. Breslin and Silber combined for all seven of UI's first half shots, putting two on frame.
Illinois' defense remained strong to start the game, holding the Nittany Lions to just one shot in the first 20 minutes of the match. Penn State continued to pressure, however, firing eight first-half shots. The two teams remained scoreless at the halftime break.
Silber and Breslin continued their offensive ways to start the second half. Silber sent two shots at the Nittany Lion net in the first two minutes of the period, and Breslin followed up with a goal in the 49th minute of the match to give Illinois an advantage over the home team. Breslin converted a cross from Maday, who beat the Penn State defender to send the ball over to Breslin. Breslin has now racked up 11 career goals.
Penn State responded to UI's lead quickly, tying the game with a goal almost immediately. Illinois continued to battle the home team early in the second half, but the Nittany Lions were not letting up. Penn State fired five shots in a span of eight minutes, before taking a, 2-1, advantage with a goal in the 68th minute to secure their victory.
Illinois put four of its 11 total shots on goal on Thursday evening, and senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed three saves overall. Silber led the Orange and Blue with six shots on the night, while Breslin contributed four shots, two on goal.
NEXT UP
UI will travel to Columbus, Ohio for a Sunday match at Ohio State. The Illini and the Buckeyes kick off at 1 p.m. CT on October 20.
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