CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini soccer team returns to Demirjian Park this weekend for a two-match homestand, beginning by hosting the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Thursday, Oct. 21 for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff. The match will be broadcasted on B1G+, and additional updates from the match can be found by connecting with @IlliniSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
LAST TIME OUT
The Orange and Blue are coming off a two-match road trip last weekend which saw the Illini fall to Minnesota 0-5 on Oct. 14 and Iowa 2-3 on Oct. 17. Redshirt senior Hope Breslin recorded her seventh goal of the season at Iowa, surpassing her previous high for goals in a season, while freshman Sydney Stephens added her second goal of the season at Iowa.
ILLINOIS…
- Sits at 5-9-1 (1-6-1 B1G) heading into the match vs. Nebraska.
- Hold a 1-4-1 record at Demirjian Park this season.
- Has faced off against the Cornhuskers 11 times in school history, leading the all-time series 8-3, including a 5-1 mark in Champaign.
- Redshirt senior Hope Breslin scored her seventh goal of the season at Iowa. This surpasses her past career-high for goals in a season when Breslin scored six goals in the 2019 season.
- Freshman Sydney Stephens scored her second goal of the season at Iowa, matching the season-high in goals for newcomers to the team with Abby Lynch and Maeve Jones.
- Ranks second in the B1G in saves per game (4.80).
- Hope Breslin ranks fourth in the B1G and 76th nationally in shot accuracy (.568).
- Hope Breslin ranks fourth in the B1G and 71st nationally in shots on goal per game (1.67).
KNOW THE HISTORY
Illinois and Nebraska competed on the pitch 11 times in school history, with the Illini leading the all-time series 8-3. The two schools faced off last season at Demirjian Park, with the Illini grabbing a 3-1 victory over the Cornhuskers on Mar. 19, 2021.
KNOW THE FOE
Nebraska visits Champaign holding a 5-9-2 overall record, including a 1-5-2 record in conference play. Their lone victory in conference play came on Oct. 17, a 1-0 victory over Wisconsin in Lincoln, and the Huskers have also tied Maryland and Michigan State this season. Offensively, the Huskers are led by seven goals from Eleanor Dale and seven assists from Abbey Schwarz. Defensively, the Huskers have split time between two goalkeepers this season, with Sami Hauk grabbing 42 saves in ten games started and Makinzie Short recording 25 saves in six games started.
MOST VALUABLE PROFESSOR + BARK IN THE PARK
Fighting Illini soccer will host the final "Bark in the Park" of the season during Thursday night's match vs. Nebraska. Fans bringing their dogs will be provided special seating bleachers on the north fence at Demirjian Park, and fans and their dogs will be restricted to this seating area. Along with the special seating section, fans will be provided water and treats for their canine family members. Be sure and dress your canine fan, bring your phones to snap photos to share to our social media accounts, and win a prize for best dressed canine fan!
Illinois soccer student-athletes will also honor their M.V.P's (Most Valuable Professors) during Thursday night's match. Professors from across the campus of the University of Illinois will be invited and honored at Thursday's match vs. Nebraska, and will have the V.I.P. experience with special seating during the match.
UP NEXT
The Illini wrap up the regular season this Sunday, Oct. 24 hosting No. 9 Rutgers at Demirjian Park. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+. During Sunday's match, Illinois soccer will host their annual "Kick Cancer" promotion, giving fans an opportunity to show their support for loved ones affected by cancer by tying colored ribbons associated with different types of cancer in the shape of a Block I.
FOLLOW THE #ILLINI
For the latest news, information, and media from Illini Soccer, be sure to follow @Illinisoccer on Twitter and Instagram, "like" Fighting Illini Soccer on Facebook, and tune in to fightingillini.com.
