CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer earned their second win over a ranked opponent in as many tries this season, taking down No. 19 Michigan, 2-1, at Demirjian Park on Sunday.
The Orange and Blue now move to 5-3-2Â on the season following the triumph, including 3-1-0 on the home pitch. It's Illinois' first win over the Wolverines since 2016 and it's the first time since 2018 the Illini have earned two wins over ranked opponents in a season.
It was end-to-end action to begin the match, with the Illini getting away six shots in the opening 12 minutes of play, forcing one save, while the Wolverines had three shots, with Illinois goalkeeper Julia Cili making a pair of saves.
The early pressure paid off in the 20th minute, when Lia Howard and Bel Rolley combined to win the ball back in the attacking third. The latter found Makala Woods inside the Michigan penalty area, who cut across the box and curled a left-footed effort into the bottom left corner to put Illinois in front. It was Woods' first goal of the season and Rolley's first assist of the campaign.
Just seven minutes later, Abby Lynch, found well in space by Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal, made a driving run down the left wing into the box and was brought down by a Michigan defender for a penalty kick. Sarah Foley stepped up to take the spot kick, but her shot was saved. Foley was quickest to the rebound and slotted the ball into the empty net to double Illinois' advantage.
The Illini took the 2-0 lead into the break after a dominant 45 minutes. Illinois outshot Michigan 16-5 and amassed a total of seven corner kicks, with the defense not conceding one on their end.
Out of halftime in the 53rd minute, the Illini had two excellent chances to add a third, when Howard had her shot saved and deflected off of the crossbar and Woods followed up with a headed effort of her own that also struck the crossbar.
The Illini defense continued their stifling first-half play in the second half, allowing just three total shots over the first 35 minutes of the half.
The Wolverines would pull one back in the 87th minute off a set piece to make it 2-1, but Illinois was able to see out the final three minutes of the contest to earn their first Big Ten win of the season.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 28, to take on No. 18 Northwestern at Larry and Shannon Martin Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. CT.
