COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fighting Illini Soccer battled the Ohio State Buckeyes to a double overtime scoreless draw on Sunday. Sophomore Makena Silber fired six shots for Illinois, and senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed five saves in the match. The Orange and Blue move to 8-7-1 on the season and 2-6-1 in Big Ten play. UI returns to Champaign to host Wisconsin and Minnesota next week.
"Today was another hard fought Big Ten battle," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We created chances; we had 15 corner kicks, with two of those cleared off the line. Jaelyn {Cunningham} saved a penalty kick, their {Ohio State's} goalkeeper made a big 1-v-1 save, we had two team saves, and in the end no one found the back of the net. I am proud of our fight this weekend in both of our games, and we will continue to fight together. Our focus now is on a top, and tough, Wisconsin team coming to Champaign on Thursday."
On their senior day and on their home field, the Ohio State Buckeyes came out strong from the first whistle. Ohio State fired the first shot of the game in the second minute of the match, and continued to stay on the attack. Illinois' defensive line was strong, however, keeping the Buckeyes out of the net. Silber got the offensive momentum going for UI, firing a shot in the 29th minute of the match. Freshman Summer Garrison joined in the first-half attack as she put on a shot on goal in the 39th minute.
Facing seven Buckeye shots, Illini goalkeeper Jaleyn Cunningham grabbed two first-half saves on Sunday to keep the game scoreless at the halftime break. She came in clutch for Illinois in the 33rd minute as she denied the Buckeyes penalty kick attempt, diving to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
Illinois continued to pick up momentum in the second half, tallying eight shots and putting two on goal. Freshman Eileen Murphy put a shot on goal for UI just five minutes into the second half, while redshirt freshman Kendra Pasquale followed up with a fair of shots just a couple minutes later. The two teams fought throughout the second period, with Ohio State firing five shots before the end of regulation. Cunningham picked up another two saves for Illinois to send the game into overtime.
The Orange and Blue traded possessions with the Buckeyes throughout the first overtime period, with each team earning two corner kicks in the period. The match remained scoreless at the conclusion of the 10-minute period, however, and the game went into a second overtime.
Illinois was heavy on the attack to end the match. Silber and junior Hope Breslin combined for six shots in the period, putting two on frame. Despite the strong attack from the Illini, neither team found the back of the next before the conclusion of play.
Illinois and Ohio State tallied 16 shots each, both putting five on goal. In addition to Silber's six shots on the day, Breslin and Pasquale contributed three shots each and Murphy finished with two shots.
NEXT UP
Illinois will close the regular season at home next week, hosting Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Illini and the Badgers will kick off at 8 p.m. on Thursday, live on the Big Ten Network. Illinois and Minnesota will face off on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will mark Halloween Day, with free pumpkin bags for all kids in eighth grade and under.
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.
