DAYTON, Ohio – Fighting Illini soccer capped off their two-match trip to the Buckeye State with a 0-0 draw with Dayton at Baujan Field on Sunday.
The Orange and Blue now move to 2-0-1 on the season and have started a campaign three matches unbeaten in back-to-back years.
Illinois nearly took the lead inside two minutes, when Makala Woods went on a driving run from midfield into the Dayton penalty area to square the ball for Sydney Stephens, but her shot was well-saved by the Dayton keeper.
Izzy Lee made her first-career start in goal for the Illini and was called into action in the eighth minute, coming off her line to make a big save against a Dayton attacker in a one-on-one situation to keep the match scoreless.
After some early end-to-end action in the first 10 minutes of the contest, neither side was able to create any clear-cut chances over the next 20 minutes of action.
The Illini would threaten again in the 32nd minute when Angie Galo expertly picked out Stephens making a back-post run, but she was unable to connect on her shot cleanly and it was saved. Ashley Stellon also forced a save in the 42nd minute with a well-hit free kick that was tipped over the bar by the Flyer keeper.
The two sides would go into the break scoreless, with Illinois holding a 6-2 advantage in shots.
Neither side was able to test the keepers through the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Makena Silber forced a save in the 66th minute after doing well to create a shot for herself at the edge of the area and Stephens would go close again in the 68th minute when her shot was fired just over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, Stellon stopped a Flyer counter attack with a tackle near midfield nearly played Woods on goal, but the pass was intercepted. Stellon again made another ball-winning tackle and had a go from 25 yards out, but her effort was saved.
Stellon again came close in the 79th minute after Silber and Bel Rolley combined well to get her the ball inside the Dayton penalty area. Stellon would create space for a shot and hit it well, but it went straight at the keeper.
The Illini were well in control throughout the second half, but the Flyers nearly stole a victory in the 84th minute. The Flyers won a corner kick and on the ensuing set piece, Lee made a reaction save off of a header and then made a second reaction save, tipping the ball onto the post. Mya Archibald then cleared the ball off the line to keep the match scoreless.
Illinois was able to see-out the rest of the match to earn the draw, keeping their second-straight clean sheet in the process.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Thursday, Aug. 31, as they continue this five-match road trip with a match at Louisville. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT.
