CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer returns to Demirjian Park to take on a pair of Big Ten foes. First, a matchup vs. Maryland on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. CT before taking on rival No. 8 Northwestern on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. CT. The latter match will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

The 2022 season marks the 26th season of Illinois soccer, with the Illini holding an overall record of 276-206-40 (.567), and the 21st season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.

Last Time Out

Illinois went 1-1-0 on its first Big Ten road trip of the season. They earned their first conference win of the season on Sept. 22 at Maryland in come-from-behind fashion, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2. On Sept. 25 at No. 17 Penn State, the Illini fell 5-0.

Scouting Iowa

The Illini lead the all-time series between the two programs 15-11-1, with Illinois falling 3-2 to Iowa in the last matchup on Oct. 17, 2021, in Iowa City. The Orange and Blue have gone 1-4-0 in the last five meetings. The Hawkeyes have gone 0-2-1 in conference play this season, going 0-1-1 last matchweek. They earned a draw against Michigan State in East Lansing before suffering a 2-0 defeat at Ohio State.

Iowa was picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten this season, with defender Samantha Cary, forward Kenzie Roling and midfielder Hailey Rydberg being named as preseason players to watch.

Scouting Northwestern

The Illini lead the all-time series with the Wildcats, 14-9-3, falling in a narrow 1-0 margin on Sept. 30, 2021, in Evanston. Sunday will be the first time since Oct. 26, 2016, that Illinois will be taking on a ranked Northwestern team. The Illini dropped that contest, 1-0, in overtime. The Wildcats are currently 3-0-0 in Big Ten play this season, earning 4-2 and 2-1 wins over Nebraska and Minnesota, respectively, during this past matchweek. Northwestern has gone nine matches unbeaten.

Northwestern was picked to 11th in the Big Ten this season, with midfielder Josie Aulicino, forward Meg Boade and midfielder Aurea del Carmen being named as preseason players to watch.

Illini Notes

• Junior goalkeeper Julia Cili leads all Big Ten keepers with 60 saves this season. During the match against Penn State, she became the eighth goalkeeper in Illinois history to record 100 career saves.
• 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 make the short trip to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue on Sunday, Oct. 9. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.