MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Fighting Illini soccer team tied Minnesota 0-0 Saturday night in Minneapolis. The Illini move to 2-2-1 on the season.
Senior goalkeeper Sami Sample recorded nine saves on the evening and was a large factor in keeping the Gophers off the score sheet. Junior Makena Silber fired the lone shot on goal for the Illini, and Eileen Murphy added a shot for the Illini in the gridlocked game.
Silber started the game fast, firing a shot on goal at the 1:54 mark in the first period. The Illini defense was staunch throughout the first half, pressuring the Gophers throughout the pitch. Sample recorded four saves in the first period, preventing the Gophers from scoring and keeping the score knotted up at zero heading into the second.
Minnesota fired 10 shots in the second half, with Sample recording another two saves and the Illini defense again shutting down the Gophers. The offense couldn't get anything going in the second period, and the game headed to overtime tied 0-0. Minnesota had opportunities that the Illini squandered in the first overtime period, and pushed the game to a second overtime period. Sample made a tremendous save diving to her left to prevent Minnesota from scoring, but the Illini offense couldn't create any scoring opportunities and the defense continued to shut down Minnesota to leave the game tied 0-0.
UP NEXT
The Illini travel to Bloomington next Saturday to take on the 24th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Kickoff is set for 1 PM CT and will be streamed on BTN+.
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