CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's soccer team recorded a second straight shutout, and Kendra Pasquale added two goals to lead the Illini to a 3-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Demirjian Park.
Redshirt-freshman Kendra Pasquale scored two goals for the Illini, her first career multi-goal game, and doubling her total goals scored as an Illini. Sophomore Summer Garrison added a goal for the Illini, the first of her career, and Makena Silber added two shots on goal for the Illini. The Illini defense was again stellar on the afternoon, with senior goalkeeper Sami Sample recording a career-high eight saves on the afternoon, and the Illini shut the Hawkeye offense down in route to their second straight shutout.
The Illini started the first period with strong defense and limited shot opportunities. That was until Summer Garrison scored her first career goal for the Illini at the 29:29 mark on a dribbling kick to the bottom right of the goal that skidded by the Hawkeye goalkeeper.
The Illini continued to push the pace on offense, and Kendra Pasquale scored her first goal on the afternoon at the 44:03 mark in the first. Pasquale faked right and broke left past an Iowa defender just inside the penalty box, and scored on a left-footer from the left side of the goal. Sami Sample recorded three saves in the first half to keep the score at 2-0 entering the break.
In the second half, the Orange and Blue offense got to work quickly, and Pasquale scored her second goal on the afternoon at the 54:53 mark after a frenzy of Illini and Hawkeye players fought for the ball after it hit off of the crossbar, and Pasquale was in perfect position to knock it in with her right foot. The defense in the second half was again strong, with Sample recording five saves in the second period to lead the Illini to a 3-0 victory.
UP NEXT
The Illini return to action on Sunday, Feb. 28 to take on the preseason B1G favorite Penn State Nittany Lions. Kickoff is set for 11 AM CT and will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network+.
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