LINCOLN, Neb. – Fighting Illini soccer dropped a Big Ten road match to the Nebraska Huskers on Sunday, falling, 1-0, in Lincoln. The Illini defense held Nebraska without a shot for 30 minutes to start play and kept the match scoreless at the half, but the Huskers found the back of the net after the break to secure their win. Six different Illini contributed to Illinois' attack on Sunday, led by junior Hope Breslin who finished with four of UI's 10 shots. The Illini move to 7-3-0 on the season and 1-2-0 in Big Ten play.
"It's hard when you create enough chances to win on the road; we had our opportunities, but Nebraska was the one who finished one today," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "This one stings for sure, however, we have to stay focused on our own journey of improving and coming together as a team. There is a lot of soccer left in this season and this team still has a lot of room to grow."
The Illini were strong on the attack from the beginning in Lincoln, firing five shots to open play. Illinois' defense was also tough to start, holding the Huskers without a shot for the first 30 minutes of the match as the two teams battled. Illinois stayed on the attack for much of the first half, heading into the halftime break with five total shots. Breslin tallied two of those shots for the Illini, while senior Kelly Maday put a shot on goal. Senior goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham helped keep the game scoreless before the break, grabbing three saves for the Orange and Blue.
The Illini continued to fight out of the halftime break, working to pressure the Huskers. Junior Maggie Hillman fired a shot at the Husker net to start the second half, and sophomore Makena Silber followed up with a shot on goal herself. Nebraska pushed back, however, finding the back of the net in the 59th minute of the match to take the lead. Freshman Summer Garrison and Breslin responded with back-to-back shots for Illinois just one minute later, but the Huskers' goalkeeper grabbed a save for the home team.
Illinois worked to maintain control throughout the final period, but the Huskers defense held off the Orange and Blue. UI outshot Nebraska, 10-8, led by Breslin who finished with four total shots. The Illini put three shots on goal in the match, with the Huskers putting six on frame. Cunningham finished with five total saves.
NEXT UP
UI will return to Champaign on Thursday, October 3 to host the Indiana Hoosiers in a 7 p.m. match. The game will mark Illinois' Kick Cancer Night, and the Orange and Blue will host a Chuck-a-Duck activity at halftime, with proceeds going to benefit cancer research. The Illini will continue their ribbon goal memorial tradition, where fans are invited to tie ribbons on a goal in honor of a loved one who has been affected by cancer. The Orange and Blue will then travel to Maryland to face the Terps on Sunday, October 6.
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.
