INDIANAPOLIS – Fighting Illini Soccer closed out a four-game road stretch on Thursday evening with a 2-1 victory over the Butler Bulldogs. Senior Kelly Maday netted Illinois' first goal of the night, while freshman Eileen Murphy converted a penalty kick to give the Orange and Blue a victory. Senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed seven saves on the night to keep Illinois in the lead. UI improves to 5-1-0 on the season and will return to Champaign to host Colorado College on Sunday at Demirjian Park.
"Butler is a team that is very good at home, and expects to win at home," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "They really came at us in the second half and pressed higher. I think we sat in a little bit too deep and let them come at us, but we weathered the storm. Getting a win on the road at Butler, a place that's really hard to get those wins, is something we feel really good about."
Cunningham was strong for the Illini from the beginning, helping to build momentum and keep things scoreless with her first save of the day in the 18th minute. Maday continued to build on that momentum as she gave Illinois a one-goal lead just one minute later. Maday took advantage of a ball outside the box and fired a long-range shot over the Bulldog goalkeeper and into the left side of the net. The score marks the first for Maday this season and the seventh of her career.
The Bulldogs stayed on the attack to close the first half, but Illinois was tough on defense before the break. Cunningham added another save in the 38th minute to help the Illini stay on top. The Illini fired two shots in the first half, while Butler tallied six.
Butler continued to stay on the attack out of the halftime break, firing four shots in the first 10 minutes of the period. Illinois battled back, however, and continued to hold the advantage in the match. A Butler foul in the 58th minute gave the Illini their fourth penalty kick of the season. Freshman Eileen Murphy took the kick, sending it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead for the Illini. The goal marks the second for the La Grange Park, Illinois, native.
Illinois continued to battle the Bulldogs on their home turf, as Butler worked to cut into the Illini lead. The Bulldogs scored their only goal of the match in the 71st minute, and continued to fight from there.
The Illini defense continued to hold strong, and Cunningham added five more saves to her tally in the second half. She finished with seven saves on the night, bringing her career total to 203. That number ranks fifth all-time at Illinois.
Jaelyn {Cunningham} came up big with a couple saves tonight," Rayfield said, "and she came off her line to pick up some balls that were played over the top. I think this was one of her better performances of the year."
The Illini put three of their four total shots on goal on Thursday, facing 20 shots from Butler. Maday led the Illini with two shots, and sophomore Makena Silber added another for the Orange and Blue.
NEXT UP
The Orange and Blue then return to Champaign to host Colorado College on Sunday at 1 p.m. The match will mark the program's first-ever contest inside Demirjian Park. The Illini will hold Construction Zone Day and the first 200 fans in attendance will receive a free construction hat. It will also mark a Family Sunday, featuring concession stand discounts and entertainment for all ages. Any Illini Soccer summer campers in attendance at Sunday's game will also receive a special giveaway.
Fans attending Sunday's game and future Illini soccer games at Demirjian Park (606 St. Mary's Road) should plan to park in one of three available lots: the Ubben Basketball Complex off of St. Mary's Road, the grass lot west of Illinois Field off Kirby Avenue or the grass lot north of Atkins Tennis Center, entering off Florida Avenue. ADA parking is available in the paved lot at the Atkins Tennis Center, accessible from Goodwin Avenue. Fans should enter Demirjian Park via the northwest corner of the field, which can be accessed via sidewalks leading from each designated parking area. There will be no entrance to Demirjian Park off of St. Mary's Road. Bleacher seating for Illinois Soccer matches will be located at the north end of the field.
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.
