CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Soccer continues the start of Big Ten play with their Big Ten home opener Thursday night. The Orange and Blue will host Purdue at Demirjian Park on Thursday, Sept. 23 for a 7 PM CT kickoff, with the match being streamed on B1G+. Additional updates from the matches can be found by connecting with @IlliniSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The Orange and Blue will also host IlliNOISE Night and Bark in the Park for Thursday's match vs. Purdue.

Illinois enters the weekend after dropping a heartbreaker at No. 21 Michigan last Friday in their B1G opener, 1-2 (2OT). Freshman Naomi Jackson made a career-high 13 saves on 35 shots faced, shutting out the nationally ranked Wolverines for nearly 80 minutes before a late-game equalizer in the final 10 minutes and a double overtime golden goal gave Michigan the victory. Senior Makena Silber scored the lone Illini goal at No. 21 Michigan in the second minute of the game. The goal was Silber's fifth of the season and the 19^th of her career, placing her 10^th all-time on the career goals scored list in Illinois history.

ILLINOIS…

• Are 4-4-0 (0-1-0) on the season after their 1-2 (2OT) loss at No. 21 Michigan.
• Owns an all-time 13-9-3 record against Purdue.
• Freshman Naomi Jackson recorded a career-high 13 saves on 35 shots faced at No. 21 Michigan. This ties the Illinois record for most saves in a game by a freshman.
• Senior Makena Silber currently leads the team in points (12).
• Redshirt senior Hope Breslin and senior Makena Silber are tied for the team lead in goals (five) and shots-on-goal (13).
• Freshman Sydney Stephens leads the team in assists (five).
• Rank 60^th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in points per game (6.38).
• Rank first in the Big Ten in saves per game (5.25).
• Rank 50^th in the NCAA and second in the Big Ten in total goals (19).
• Sydney Stephens ranks 29^th in the NCAA and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (0.62).

KNOW THE HISTORY

Illinois and Purdue have squared off on the pitch 25 times in their history, with the Illini holding a 13-9-3 series advantage. Illinois opened the 2020 season against Purdue on Feb. 18, 2021, defeating the Boilermakers 1-0 in Westfield, Ind.

KNOW THE FOE

The Boilermakers will hit the road for just the fourth time this season, compared to six matches played in West Lafayette. Purdue holds a record of 6-1-2 this season, and are riding a four-match win streak, defeating the likes of Saint Louis, Kansas State, Colorado, and a league-opening win over Nebraska on Sunday. Led by redshirt senior forward Sarah Griffith (five goals, one assist) and current B1G saves leader Marisa Bova, Purdue was picked to finish 11^th in the Big Ten this season. Purdue currently ranks 20^th in the NCAA RPI rankings, the fifth B1G team in the top-25 of the ranking.

IlliNOISE Night + Bark in the Park

Be sure to rest your voice before Thursday night, as fans will be asked to bring the NOISE to Demirjian Park to celebrate IlliNOISE Night. Cowbells will be given out to the first 300 fans in attendance, and a visit from the Marching Illini will aid Illini fans in creating a loud environment for the B1G home opener.  

Fans will also be allowed to bring their favorite furry friends to Demirjian Park and enjoy an Illini Soccer match for our Bark in the Park promotion. Fans bringing their dogs will be provided special seating bleachers on the north fence at Demirjian Park, and fans and their dogs will be restricted to this seating area.  Along with the special seating section, fans will be provided water and treats for their canine family members. Be sure and dress your canine fan, bring your phones to snap photos to share to our social media accounts, and win a prize for best dressed canine fan!

UP NEXT

The Orange and Blue will hit the road again on Sunday, Sept. 26 to face-off against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind. Kickoff is set for 12 PM CT, and the match will be streamed on B1G+.

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.