CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini soccer team fell to Iowa 1-2 in the B1G Regional semifinal Thursday night at Demirjian Park.
Freshman Kennedy Berschel scored her first career goal on the evening, and senior Hope Breslin led the Illini in shots with four.
The first half of action was tight, with the Illini and the Hawkeyes battling on both ends of the field. The Illini had opportunities in front of the goal, firing three shots on goal in the first half, but the score was tied heading into the half.
The Hawkeyes scored two minutes into the second half and maintained a 0-1 advantage until freshman Kennedy Berschel grabbed the ball from an Iowa defender in front of the goal and fired a shot into the top left of the goal for the equalizer in the 52nd minute. After the Berschel goal, the two teams both fired six shots the rest of the half and came up empty, and the Illini and Hawkeyes headed to overtime.
The Illini quickly had a chance at the golden goal, with Makena Silber firing a shot into the arms of the Iowa goalkeeper less than a minute into overtime. Two minutes later, Iowa scored the golden goal winner on a shot from the right side of the goal.
The Illini finish the season 6-5-1, with redshirt-sophomore Kendra Pasquale leading the team in points (12) and goals (5), and sophomore Aleah Treiterer leading the team in assists (3).
FOLLOW THE ILLINI
Be sure to follow the Illini on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Illinisoccer for an in-depth look into the Illini Soccer program.
