Illini Set for Two-Match Road Trip to Maryland, Penn State

WEEK 6: Illinois (5-3-1) at Maryland (2-1-5) // at No. 17 Penn State (5-1-2)
Match 10: Maryland	Thursday, Sept. 22 // 6 p.m. CT // Ludwig Field // College Park, Md.
Match 11: Penn State	Sunday, Sept. 25 // 11 a.m. CT // Jeffrey Field // University Park, Pa.
Watch Live	Maryland // Penn State
Live Stats	FightingIllini.com
Printable Notes	Illinois // Maryland // Penn State
Shop	Online Store

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer is prepped for its first two Big Ten Conference road matches this season, first with an East Coast trip to take on Maryland on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. CT. The Illini will then head to University Park, Pa., to take on No. 17 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. CT.

The 2022 season marks the 26th season of Illinois soccer, with the Illini holding an overall record of 275-205-40 (.567), and the 21st season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.

Last Time Out

Illinois fell in its Big Ten opener on Sunday, Sept. 18, 3-0, to Michigan State. It was just the second time this season, first since Sept. 1 vs. Texas A&M, that the Illini failed to score in a match. It was also the first time since Sept. 20, 2002, that the Illini lost to the Spartans in regulation.

Scouting Maryland

The all-time series between the two programs is tied at 3-3-1, with the Illini claiming a 2-1 victory on Oct. 3, 2021, at Demirjian Park in the last matchup. Illinois has gone 1-2-1 in College Park, Md. The Terps won their Big Ten curtain raiser over Michigan on Friday, Sept. 16, and have gone unbeaten in their last two matches.

Maryland was picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten this season, with forward Malikae Dayes, forward Mikayla Dayes and midfielder Juliana Lynch, Jr. being named as preseason players to watch.

Scouting Penn State

The Illini trail the all-time series with the Nittany Lions, 4-30-0. The two programs are facing off for the first time since Feb. 28, 2021, where Illinois fell in a 2-0 contest at Demirjian Park. The Illini are looking for their first win over the Nittany Lions since Nov. 2, 2012, which came at the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois has faced off against a ranked Penn State team in 28 of those 34 matches. The Nittany Lions played to a scoreless draw on Sunday, Sept. 18, at Indiana. The Nittany Lions have gone three matches unbeaten.

Penn State was picked to finish first in the Big Ten, along with Rutgers, with forward Penelope Hocking, forward Payton Linnehan and forward Ally Schlegel being named preseason players to watch. Hocking and Schlegel were named United Soccer Coaches All-Americans last season, with Hocking earning her honors at Southern California.

Illini Notes

Junior goalkeeper Julia Cili leads all Big Ten keepers with 44 saves this season. Her 4.89 saves per game also ranks second in the conference.
The victory over No. 17 Butler on Aug. 25 was Illinois' first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Pepperdine on Aug. 30, 2019. The Illini handed the Bulldogs just their fourth loss at Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl since 2017.
For the fourth-straight season, the Illinois soccer team opened the year with a victory as the Illini posted a 1-0 win over Illinois State in the season opener last Thursday at Demirjian Park.
Freshman Sarah Foley had an impressive debut for Illinois as she scored her first collegiate goal just 30 seconds after subbing into Illinois' 4-1 win over Toledo on Aug. 21. She also added an assist later in the match for a total of three points on the day. She tallied six shots, with three on goal in her first collegiate match.
The Illini are entering their 26th season of competition, and the 21st under head coach Janet Rayfield.
Illinois is coming off a 5-11-1 season, including a 1-8-1 mark in Big Ten action.
The Illini are returning 24 letterwinners from last season, while welcoming in nine newcomers to the roster.
Pasquale is the leading point getter returning from the 2021 squad with 10 points on four goals and two assists. The redshirt-senior owns 11 goals and five assists in her Illini career.
Also returning is sophomore Sydney Stephens, who led the Illini with five assists on the season.
The Illini return 10 players with 10+ starts last season (Makena Silber, Kendra Pasquale, Aleah Treiterer, Ashley Cathro, Eileen Murphy, Sydney Stephens, Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal, Maeve Jones, Angie Galo, Mackenzie Schuler).
Freshman Lia Howard was named the 2021-22 Gatorade New York Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
The Big Ten announced its Women's Soccer Preseason Players to Watch List on August 15 with redshirt-seniors Ashley Cathro and Kendra Pasquale and senior Eileen Murphy representing the Illini.
Cathro played in all 17 matches and started in 16 for the Illini a season ago, while also leading the team in minutes played (1,502) during the 2021 season.

Next Up

The Illini hit the road for a pair of matches, first with an East Coast trip to take on Maryland on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. CT. They will then take on No. 8 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 25, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT.

Schedule