SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior Julia Cili turned in a career-high 13 saves, but the Illinois soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision to Notre Dame on Sunday (Aug. 28) afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
Cili's 13 saves equals the third-most saves in a single match in program history.
The Illini move to 3-1-0 on the season. Â
"Today we lost to a very good Notre Dame team," said head coach Janet Rayfield. "However, we are much better than we showed today. Lessons from today may be more painful than previous games but they will also be more impactful when we learn from them get better. Just like after Thursday's win we focus on getting better and our next opponent."
It was a face-paced first half that saw both teams aggressive in their attack. The Irish (4-0-0) then broke the scoreless tie in the 32nd minute as ND moved the ball up the left flank, before Katie Coyle ran onto a pass inside the box and finished past Cili for the match's first goal.
With just a minute left in the opening period, the home team struck again as there was a scrum in front of the Illinois goal, with Cili saving a shot, before Ellie Ospeck finished the rebound for the 2-0 advantage.
The Irish came out quickly to start the second half with a score in the 46th minute to make is 3-0. After a shot that was saved off the line by Cili, the ball bounced around in the six-yard box, before Maddie Mercado finished the loose ball into the back of the net. ND then added their final score in the 59th minute as Leah Klenke converted on a long chip shot that sailed into the upper right corner of the goal.
Along with her career-high saves, Cili also turned away an Irish penalty kick following an Illini foul inside the box in the 72nd minute.
The Illini totaled eight shots in the match, with three coming on goal. Senior Summer Garrison led the way with two shots, including one on frame. Â
Next Up
The Illini next return to Demirjian Park to open a five-match homestand, starting with a 7 p.m. CT contest against Texas A&M on Thursday, Sept. 1, followed by a 7 p.m. CT match against Indiana State on Sunday, Sept. 4.
