COLUMBUS, Ohio. – Fighting Illini soccer suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Ohio State on Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The Orange and Blue now move to 5-4-3Â on the season and 1-2-2 in Big Ten play.
The Buckeyes brought the pressure early, but Illini were up to the task early defensively and did not allow a shot on target through 15 minutes and successfully repelled four Ohio State corner kicks.
Illinois got their first chance of the match in the 11th minute when Makala Woods worked herself into space at the top of the area, but she could only hit her shot straight at the keeper.
The hosts would eventually find the breakthrough in the 18th minute scoring on a quick counterattack. Ohio State would double its advantage in the 30th minute on another counter-attacking move to take the 2-0 lead into the break.
The Illini were kept at bay in the early moments of the second half, but would begin to find their footing as the half went on. Bel Rolley nearly finished an excellent passage of play in the 58th minute with a goal from distance but the effort sailed just over the bar.
Illinois would go close again in the 70th minute when Sarah Foley would get a good look on goal just inside the penalty area but hit her effort too close to the keeper.
Lia Howard would set up a frantic finish to the match when she scored her second goal of the season in the 83rd from 25 yards out, looping her shot over the Buckeye keeper, but Illinois was ultimately unable to find the equalizer.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 8, to take on Minnesota at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, to wrap up this three-match road trip. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. CT and the contest will be televised on Big Ten Network.
