CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – For the fourth-straight season, the Illinois soccer team opened the year with a victory as the Illini controlled the pace of play from start to finish, using redshirt-junior Ashley Prell's eventual game-winner, to capture a 1-0 win over Illinois State in front of over 1,000 fans at Demirjian Park on Thursday (Aug. 18) night.
"I am really proud of the grit that we showed tonight," said head coach Janet Rayfield. "It could have been a very frustrating game, when you are getting opportunities and cannot find the back of the net, and I thought we did a really good job of just really sticking to the plan, continuing to work and communicate and then we got the goal. The team's grit and relentlessness tonight were something that will be really important for us to carry forward and to recognize that kind of relentless effort pays off in the end."
After a back and forth start to the match, the Illini (1-0-0) eased into control, using a pair of early scoring opportunities to gain momentum over the Redbirds (0-1-0). Stretching the field on both wings, the Illini had services from either side of the field that produced shots on goal from sophomore Maeve Jones and redshirt-senior Kendra Pasquale. Jones added a second opportunity with just under 10 minutes remaining in the period as senior Aleah Treiterer won the ball on the right flank and served in a ball for Jones, who's shot was stopped by ISU goalkeeper Audrey Brown. The Illini finished the opening half with a 7-2 advantage in shots, but the score remained tied at 0-0.
The Illini turned up the pressure in the second half, earning six corners throughout the period, while outshooting the Redbirds, 12-2. Just five minutes into the period, Treiterer served up another dangerous ball as Prell's shot hit the left post and deflected out for an Illini corner.
Illinois continued to press for the breakthrough score as the possession became more one-sided until Prell struck gold in the 84th minute with her first collegiate goal. After a cross from Pasquale was deflected by a Redbird defender to the top of the box, Prell took one dribble past an ISU defender and lifted a shot into the upper right corner for the 1-0 lead.
The Illini finished off the match with 63 percent of possession, while posting a 19-4 advantage in shots and an 8-1 advantage in corners.
Junior Julia Cili earned her first shutout of the season, registering two saves on the night.
Pasquale, freshman Sarah Foley and senior Eileen Murphy led the Illini with three shots each, while Pasquale and Jones each tallied two shots on goal.
Next Up
The Illini continue its two-match season-opening homestand on Sunday (Aug. 21), taking on Toledo at 1 p.m. CT in Demirjian Park. Illinois will be celebrating Senior Day on Sunday, honoring Prell, Pasquale, Treiterer, Murphy, Summer Garrison and Peyton Willie in a pregame ceremony. Sunday will also be the first Soccer Planet Youth Days of the season, with Soccer Planet hosting a kid's clinic starting at 11 a.m. CT.
