|
Illinois (5-4-1) @ Northwestern (5-5-0) |
| When |
Saturday, April 3 // 12 PM CT |
| Where |
Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium // Evanston, Illinois
|
| Series |
Illinois leads, 13-7-4
|
| Team Information |
Illinois Notes |
| Live Links |
Live Stats, BTN+ ($) |
|
CHAMPAIGN, IL. – The Fighting Illini soccer team is set to wrap up the regular-season schedule on Saturday, Apr. 3 with a matchup with in-state rival Northwestern. Kickoff is set for 12 PM CT on BTN+.
The Orange and Blue are coming off a two-game road stretch in the state of Michigan. The Illini fell to Michigan 0-2 last Thursday, Mar. 25, and defeated Michigan State 2-1 Sunday, Mar. 28 in a late-game thriller. Eileen Murphy scored her second goal of the season (assisted by Aleah Treiterer, third of the season), and Makena Silber recorded her third game-winning goal of the season in the 83rd minute on an assist from team points-leader Kendra Pasquale to seal the Illini victory.
ILLINOIS…
…is ranked eighth in the North region of the United Soccer Coaches national poll
…is tied for fifth in the B1G in opponent scoring average (.90)
…is tied for sixth in the B1G in scoring average (1.100)
…is third in the B1G in saves (49)
…is first in the B1G in save percentage (.845)
…Makena Silber ranks seventh in the B1G in shots (24) and shots on goal (15), and is tied for first in game-winning goals (3)
…Sami Sample ranks first in the B1G in save percentage (.845) and saves per game (4.90), and second in saves (49)
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern sits at 5-5 on the season and one spot below the Illini at no. 7 in the B1G standings. The Wildcats split a pair of one-score games last week, defeating Michigan State 1-0 on Mar. 25 and falling to Ohio State 0-1 on Mar. 28. The Illini lead the all-time series 13-8-3, and most recently defeated the Wildcats 3-1 on Sep. 20, 2019 in Champaign. Junior forwards Olivia Stone and Kayla Fischer, along with goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood, were named to the B1G preseason players to watch list.
SILBER IN THE CLUTCH
Junior forward Makena Silber scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute at Michigan State last Sunday, putting her in the team lead for game-winning goals and tied for first in the B1G. Silber has also tallied game-winners vs Nebraska (3/19/21) and Purdue (2/18/21).
FLYIN' EILEEN
Sophomore midfielder Eileen Murphy has scored two goals on the season, one at Michigan State and the game-winner at Indiana. Both goals have been scored in similar situations, with each goal coming from the foot of Aleah Treiterer to the head of Murphy into the back of the net. Her two goals on the season match the total goals scored from her freshman season.
BRICK WALL
Senior goalkeeper Sami Sample continues to thrive in the net this season, and has been the brick wall for the Illini defense this season. Sample ranks sixth in the B1G in goals-against average (.880), second in saves (49, two behind leader Hillary Beall of Michigan), and tops the conference in save percentage (.845) and saves per game (4.90).
TOURNAMENT TIME
Following Saturday afternoons game, the Big Ten regular season will be complete and the Illini will learn their placement for the postseason. Postseason play begins next weekend, Apr. 8 and 11, with Wildcard Weekend serving as the preliminary rounds to the 2021 Big Ten Tournament. Illinois is in prime position earn one of four regional host positions, with three to four teams converging on Demirjian Park to fight for a spot in the four-team B1G Tournament on April 15 and 18. The Illini must finish in the top two of the West division to earn hosting privileges. More information on pairings, match times, locations, and broadcast designations will be released once all regular-season B1G competitions are finished Saturday evening.
