CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini soccer team is set to hit the road for a two-game set in the Great Lake state. Illinois will take on the Michigan Wolverines on Thursday, Mar. 25 at 1 PM CT on BTN+, and the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday, Mar. 28 at 4 PM CT on the Big Ten Network.

The Illini are coming off of a week in which the team split their final two regular season home games at Demirjian Park. The Orange and Blue defeated Nebraska 3-1 on Mar. 19, with goals from Kendra Pasquale (unassisted), Makena Silber (Kendra Pasquale), and Maggie Hillman (Ashley Cathro, Hope Breslin). The Illini then fell to Ohio State 1-2 on Mar. 21, with a goal from Kendra Pasquale (Kendra Pasquale).

ILLINOIS…

…ranks eighth in the North region

…ranks tied for first in opponent scoring average (.75)

…ranks fifth in the B1G in shots (84) and shots on goal (43)

…ranks second in the B1G in goals allowed (6)

…ranks first in saves (43), save percentage (.878), and saves per game (5.38)

…redshirt-sophomore Kendra Pasquale ranks fifth in the B1G in goals (4), and first on the team in goals (4) and points (9)

…Makena Silber ranks fifth in the B1G in game-winning goals (2), and fourth in shots on goal (13)

…Sami Sample ranks third in goals against average (.730), shutouts per game (.500), first in saves (43) and saves per game (5.38)

SCOUTING MICHIGAN

Illinois' matchup with the Wolverines will have major implications in the B1G standings, as the Illini sit one point behind the Wolverines in the standings. The Wolverines are 4-2-2 on the season and currently sit at second in the B1G with 14 points, just one point ahead of the Illini and five points behind first-place Penn State and Rutgers. Michigan defeated Maryland 4-0 on Mar. 18, but fell to the first-place Nittany Lions 1-4 on Mar. 21. The Wolverines had been ranked previously in the United Soccer Coaches poll, but recently dropped out of the top 25 and are now receiving votes. Michigan leads the all-time series with the Illini 9-16-1. The matchup with the Illinois defense and Michigan offense will be one to watch, as Michigan has the second-best offense in the B1G with a 2.250 scoring average, while Illinois is tied for the best defense with Wisconsin and Rutgers with a .75 opponent scoring average.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State sits at 1-5-1 with four points on the season with a 2-0 win over Nebraska and a 1-1 tie with Maryland on opening weekend. The Illini have dominated the all-time series with the Spartans, leading 20-3-3 overall.  In their latest outing, Michigan State fell to Purdue 0-1 on Mar. 21 after the Spartan's game with the Hoosiers was postponed on Mar. 17.

OFFENSIVE BREAKTHROUGH

The Illini scored four goals in two games last week after scoring five goals in their previous six games. The Orange and Blue tied their game-high in goals with three vs. Nebraska on Mar. 19 after scoring three vs. Iowa on Feb. 25. Kendra Pasquale scored her third and fourth goals on the season vs. Nebraska and Ohio State, taking the team lead in goals with four on the season. Makena Silber scored her second goal and second game-winning goal vs. Nebraska, and Maggie Hillman scored her first goal of the season vs. Nebraska.

SPREADING THE WEALTH

The Illini recorded four assists last week vs. Nebraska and Ohio State after recording just one assist in their six previous games. Aleah Treiterer recorded her second assist of the year on a Kendra Pasquale goal vs. Ohio State, and Hope Breslin, Ashley Cathro, and Kendra Pasquale also added assists last week for the Illini. 

UP NEXT

After the Michigan road trip, the Illini wrap up the regular season on Saturday, Apr. 3 at Northwestern. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM CT and will be broadcasted on BTN+.