CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer is set to open up Big Ten play this week, traveling to Ann Arbor to take on No. 21 Michigan. Kickoff is set for 4 PM CT on Friday, Sept. 17, and will be streamed on B1G+. Additional updates from the match can be found by connecting with @IlliniSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The Orange and Blue enter the B1G opener riding a two-match winning streak, defeating Bowling Green 5-1 on Sept. 9 and downing Toledo 1-0 on Sept. 12. Freshman Sydney Stephens recorded five points over the weekend (three assists, one goal), including the game-winner at Toledo, and benefitted from six different goal-scorers in their two road victories (Maeve Jones, Makena Silber, Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal, Maggie Hillman, Abby Lynch, Sydney Stephens).
ILLINOIS…
- Continued their hot streak on the road last week, improving to a perfect 4-0 away from Demirjian Park while outscoring opponents 15-2.
- Trails the all-time series with Michigan 9-17-1, with the last matchup going in favor of the Wolverines 2-0 on Mar. 25, 2021 in Ann Arbor.
- Open Big Ten play with a ranked opponent for the first time since 2010 when the team faced #18 Minnesota to start league play.
- Freshman Sydney Stephens recorded three assists in the first half at Bowling Green, tying the school record for assists in a half and assists in a match.
- Senior Makena Silber scored her 18th-career goal at Bowling Green. This moves her into a tie for 10th all-time with Chichi Nweke and Lindsay Johnson for career goals scored.
- Ranks second in the B1G in scoring average (2.571), fourth in saves (29), and second in goals (18).
KNOW THE HISTORY
The Illini and Wolverines have met up 27 times in conference play, with Michigan leading the all-time series 9-17-1. Illinois last faced Michigan last season on Mar. 25, 2021, which saw a 2-0 decision in favor of the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Illinois faces Michigan when the Wolverines are ranked for the 10th time, with the last matchup going to the Illini 3-0 in Champaign on Oct. 6, 2016.
KNOW THE FOE
Michigan enters Big Ten play with a 6-1-1 record, most recently drawing Louisville 1-1 on Sept. 10 and defeating Cincinnati 2-1 on Sept. 12. The Wolverines are currently ranked 21st in the nation and have been ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll all four weeks of the season thus far. Led by fifth-year senior Nicki Hernandez (five goals, two assists) and preseason B1G honorees Meredith Haakenson, Raleigh Loughman, and Sammi Woods, Michigan was picked to finish fourth in the B1G this season as voted on by the conference coaches.
UP NEXT
Illinois returns to Demirjian Park next Thursday, Sept. 23 to host Purdue for IlliNOISE Night and Bark in the Park, with kickoff set for 7 PM CT. Illinois will also travel to Bloomington to face Indiana on Sept. 26, with kickoff set for 12 PM CT.
FOLLOW THE #ILLINI
For the latest news, information, and media from Illini Soccer, be sure to follow @Illinisoccer on Twitter and Instagram, "like" Fighting Illini Soccer on Facebook, and tune in to fightingillini.com.
