CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini Soccer made its first-ever appearance at Demirjian Park on Sunday, defeating the Colorado College Tigers, 2-0. Illini sophomore Makena Silber netted two first-half goals to give the Orange and Blue an early advantage in the match, and the UI defense stayed strong to help secure the first victory on Illinois' new home field. Senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham grabbed four saves in the contest, earning her first shutout of the season. UI improves to 6-1 on the season and will stay at home to host Northwestern on Friday, September 20.
"We're still working," head coach Janet Rayfield said after the game. "It's great to get our first shutout and open the field with that sort of performance. We've put ourselves in a good place from a record standpoint, but we still have to put our heads down and keep working because it doesn't get any easier as we head into Big Ten play."
"There is a sense of pride as you step out on this field and see the scoreboard and the practice field, you know you've come to a place where great things are going to happen," Rayfield said of the team's inaugural appearance at Demirjian Park. "As a coach or a student-athlete you feel really fortunate to be a part of that. We have been really fortunate that we've had a great field to play on, but what's really exciting is that we now we get to share those resources with our fans. We now have a place we can call home and share that with the community. We're really thankful to the Demirjian family for helping us take this program to the next level."
Silber wasted no time on Sunday afternoon as she gave Illinois a one-goal lead in the 20th minute. Earning her second assist of the season, senior Kelly Maday sent a pass through the Tiger defenders and into the box for Silber, who converted the pass for the Illini goal.
Not long after, Silber added another goal for Illinois, marking her fourth of the year. After an Illini goal kick, junior Hope Breslin took possession of the ball and sent it up the field to Silber, who sprinted past the Colorado College defenders to win the ball. She used a touch to beat the Tiger goalkeeper and lodged the ball into the lower corner of the net.
The Illini and the Tigers battled throughout the opening half, trading possessions and shots until the break. Illinois fired 10 first-half shots, putting five of those on goal, while Colorado College recorded nine shots in the first half. Cunningham racked up two of her saves in the first half as well.
Illinois stayed strong out of the break as senior Arianna Veland fired the first shot of the second half. The Illini and the Tigers continued to trade possession, battling through the midfield in the second half. Silber added two more shots to her tally after the break, finishing with six shots on the day and three on frame.
Illinois outshot Colorado College, 15-13, in the match, and seven different Illini contributed to UI's attack. In addition to Silber's six shots, Breslin added three and freshman Summer Garrison added two of her own.
NEXT UP
The Illini are set to open Big Ten play on Friday, hosting Northwestern at 7 p.m. The game will mark World Cup Night, and the Illini will give away free tambourines to the first 200 fans while we celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's historic 2019 World Cup Championship. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite soccer jersey to the match.
Fans attending Friday'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.
