ROSEMONT, Ill. - Freshman midfielder Sydney Stephens was named co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week Tuesday afternoon as announced by the league office. Stephens started both of Illinois' matches this past weekend, recording 83 minutes in a 5-1 victory over Bowling Green on Sept. 9, and playing the full 90 minutes and recording the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Toledo on Sept. 12.

The freshman tied two Illinois records on Thursday. Stephens' three assists in the first half at Bowling Green tied the school record for assists in a half last achieved by Tara Hurless vs. Penn State on Nov. 7, 2002. The three assists also tied an Illinois single-match record last achieved by Peyton Willie vs. Northern Illinois on Aug. 26, 2018. 

Stephens also recorded her first collegiate goal and first game-winner at Toledo. After an indirect free kick in the 79th minute produced two Illinois shot attempts that rebounded off the Toledo keeper, Stephens grabbed the third rebound and knocked the ball into the back of the net for the game-winner. 

The honor is her first career B1G weekly honor, and the first Illini to be named B1G Freshman of the Week since Eileen Murphy on Aug. 27, 2019.

UP NEXT

The Illini will open up Big Ten play on Friday, Sept. 17 with their second ranked opponent of the season, squaring up against No. 16 Michigan in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+.

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