CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini soccer defeated Loyola University Chicago, 3-1, on Thursday to open the 2019 campaign in style. Illini junior Hope Breslin started the scoring for Illinois in the 20th minute, while sophomore Makena Silber and junior Maggie Hillman also contributed goals in the match. Hillman and Breslin also each added an assist for the Orange and Blue. Illinois moves to 1-0-0 on the year, and will host Dayton Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I think what you saw tonight is that we have a really deep team," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We've really worked hard on our defending and being able to get defensive pressure in our attacking half, and we created two goals off of that tonight. I think that was a bright spot in the game, that we accomplished something we have been working on and it created goal scoring chances for us. We have got to continue that, and I think now we have to take better care of the ball on the attacking side, we gave the ball away too much in certain situations and it really created opportunities for them {Loyola}."
The two teams battled hard throughout the middle to start the game, with the Illini striking first in the 20th minute. Breslin secured a pass inside the box from Hillman, and converted it to give Illinois a 1-0 advantage.
The Orange and Blue continued to pressure Loyola, working to maintain possession early in the match. After a battle near the Loyola box, Silber took advantage of a loose ball, beating the keeper to extend the Illini lead. Her first goal of the season, Silber has now tallied six career scores at Illinois. The Illini continued to play tough defense throughout the first half, holding Loyola to just two shots before the break.
The battle continued after halftime, with Illinois coming out on the attack. Freshman Eileen Murphy fired her first-career shot in the 46th minute of play, and sophomore Kendra Pasquale added another for the Illini in the 53rd minute. Pasquale was among Illini leaders for her three shots, also making her first appearance in the Orange and Blue. Loyola fired three shots in a span of four minutes in the second half, but Illinois responded with its third goal of the match. Returning the favor, Breslin sent a pass up to Hillman, who sped past the defender and beat the keeper to net her second-career goal.
Loyola responded to the Illini lead with a goal in the 72nd minute of play, but the Illini stayed tough on defense to close out the match. Illinois fired 11 shots in the match, putting six of those on frame. Silber and Pasquale led Illinois with three shots each on the night, as seven different Illini fired shots at the Loyola net. Senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed two saves in the contest.
NEXT UP
The Illini will continue play on Sunday, hosting the Dayton Flyers at 1 p.m. Held at Illinois Soccer & Track Stadium, Sunday's game will mark senior day, celebrating the senior class prior to the game. Illinois will also recognize Corn Fest, in honor of the Urbana Sweet Corn Festival. The first 100 fans in attendance can receive free corn on the cob.
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.
