CHAMPAIGN – A trio of Illini netted second-half goals on Sunday afternoon to help carry the Orange and Blue to a 3-2 victory over the Dayton Flyers. The two teams battled through the first half of play before junior Hope Breslin once again started the scoring for Illinois in the 49th minute. Senior Arianna Veland converted a penalty kick for a 2-0 Illini lead, and freshman Eileen Murphy also netted her first career goal in the match. The Orange and Blue improve to 2-0-0 on the season, and the Flyers move to 1-0-0.
Illinois came out strong to start the match on Sunday afternoon, keeping the pressure on Dayton early. Senior Kelly Maday tallied Illinois' first shot of the game, breaking away and firing a shot that was narrowly deflected by Dayton's keeper. She followed that up with another shot in the 13th minute of play, but the Flyers' defense remained strong. Sophomore Kendra Pasquale also added a shot for the Illini before the halftime break.
Maday once again came out of the gates hot after the halftime break, putting a shot on goal in the 46th minute. Not soon after, Breslin took advantage of a ball at the top of the box, sending it just past Dayton's keeper and into the back of the net. The score marks the second of the season for Breslin. Illinois didn't stop there, however, as just four minutes later, Veland coverted an Illini penalty kick to put Illinois ahead by two.
Dayton responded to Illinois' lead with two shots of their own, but the Illini took a three-goal lead in the 61st minute of the game. Breslin sent a corner kick into the box, which Murphy won in the air and sent into the lower corner of the net.
"We're really happy for her," Veland said of Murphy. "She came in and had a strong preseason, and has been a strong player throughout, so we're happy for her to get her first goal and build from there."
The battle was not over yet, however, as Dayton worked to cut into Illinois' advantage. After an Illini foul in the box, Dayton converted a penalty kick in the 67th minute of the game, and followed that with a goal in the 73rd minute.
Illinois battled to maintain its lead to the final whistle, as Veland and sophomore Makena Silber added shots for the Illini before the end of the match. In all, Illinois fired 12 shots in Sunday's match, putting six of those on frame. Dayton also added a shot before the final whistle, which was saved by senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham. Cunningham finished with seven saves.
Illinois honored its senior class prior to the match, recognizing Alicia Barker, Lexi Carrier, Cunningham, Maday, Lauren Smitherman and Veland in a ceremony at midfield.
NEXT UP
Illinois is set for a four-game road stretch, beginning next weekend in California. The Orange and Blue are set to face Pepperdine at 5 p.m. on August 30 before taking on San Francisco on Sunday, September 1 in Los Angeles.
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