University of Illinois
Wisconsin
Illini Kick Off Homecoming Weekend Hosting Wisconsin
October 7, 2021 | Soccer
Preview
| Illinois (5-7-0, 1-4-0 B1G) vs Wisconsin (7-3-3, 2-2-1 B1G) | |||
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| When | Friday, October 8 // 6 p.m. CT | ||
| Where |
Champaign, Illinois // Demirjian Park |
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| Series |
Wisconsin leads, 11-12-4 |
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| Team Information | Illinois Record Book | Illinois Notes | ||
| Live Links |
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| Follow the Illini | Twitter // Instagram // Facebook |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini soccer team looks to kick off homecoming weekend at Illinois with a bang, welcoming the Wisconsin Badgers to Demirjian Park on Friday evening. Kickoff for the match is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed by B1G+. Additional updates from the matches can be found by connecting with @IlliniSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The Illini will also host their annual Soktoberfest promotion during Friday evenings match, along with a celebration of Homecoming weekend at Illinois. Bratwurst and Soft Pretzels with Beer Cheese will be served at the concession stand throughout Friday evenings match to celebrate the beginning of Fall. Homecoming celebrations will continue at Demirjian Park, as Illinois soccer encourages all alumni to check out brand new Demirjian Park during Friday evening's match, with admission to the match being free for all.
The Orange and Blue look to spark a winning streak after defeating Maryland 2-1 last Sunday afternoon for their first conference win of the season. After going down 0-1 eight minutes into the match, Illinois found the equalizer on a Terrapin own-goal in the 65th minute. Following a frenzy of shots on-net in the 75th minute, senior Ashleigh Lefevre was able to find the back of the net for the game-winning goal, finishing the comeback effort by the Illini on a rain-soaked afternoon at Demirjian Park.
ILLINOIS…
- Is 5-7-0 (1-4-0 B1G) on the season after Sunday afternoons 2-1 victory over Maryland.
- Head coach Janet Rayfield earned her 100th career Big Ten victory following Sunday's 2-1 victory over Maryland.
- Senior Ashleigh Lefevre scored her first-career goal, which served as the game-winning goal in Illinois' 2-1 victory over Maryland.
- Ranks fifth in the B1G and 96th nationally in points per game (5.00).
- Ranks second in the B1G and 99th nationally in save per game (5.08).
- Ranks third in the B1G and 63rd nationally in goals (23).
- Hope Breslin ranks second in the B1G and 36th nationally in shot accuracy (.625).
- Makena Silber ranks fifth in the B1G and 60th nationally in shot accuracy (.586).
KNOW THE HISTORY
Wisconsin currently holds the all-time series lead between the two schools, holding a slight 11-12-4 advantage. The Illini and Badgers met up on March 4, 2021 last season, with Wisconsin scoring in the 14th minute and holding on to the one-goal lead to take the match 1-0 over Illinois.
KNOW THE FOE
Ranked as the 18th team in the country last week after beginning B1G conference play 2-0-1, the Badgers dropped two straight matches to Penn State and Purdue by a score of 2-1 in each match, and dropped their national ranking but still received 33 votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll heading into this week's matchup. With an overall record of 7-3-3 (2-2-1 B1G), the Badgers currently sit seventh in the B1G standings after being picked to finish fifth in the conference ahead of the 2021 season. The Badgers are led by two-time all-American and two-time B1G Goalkeeper of the Year Jordyn Bloomer, who currently ranks second in the conference in saves (47), and top goal scorers Emma Jaskaniec (four), Cameron Murtha (two) and Claire Odmark (two).
UP NEXT
The Illini head into the home stretch of the regular season, with a weekend long road trip ahead of the Illini next week. Illinois will enjoy a national television audience next Thursday, Oct. 14 when the team travels to Minnesota for an 8 p.m. CT kickoff on the Big Ten Network. The Orange and Blue wrap up their road trip in Iowa City, Iowa to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, Oct. 17, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT on B1G+.
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.
