LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fighting Illini closed out their two-match swing to the Bluegrass State with a 1-0 defeat to Kentucky at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex on Sunday.
The Orange and Blue now move to 3-1-1 on the season following the loss, ending a four-match unbeaten run to start the season.
Illinois started the match well, forcing the Kentucky keeper into making four saves in the opening 15 minutes. Sarah Foley came the closest to opening the scoring in the 14th minute, after she was picked out from a cross by Sydney Stephens, but her effort was saved.
With the Illini in control of the game early, it was the Wildcats that almost struck first in the 20th minute, but Julia Cili made a great reaction save from a close-range header to keep the contest scoreless. Seven minutes later, however, the hosts would find the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
Illinois would head into the break trailing at halftime for the first time this season, despite holding a 7-6 advantage in shots and a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal.
The Illini started the second half well, with Stephens forcing a save after a shot from distance in the 51st minute, which led to an early corner, but they were unable to capitalize on the early pressure.
Kentucky almost doubled its lead in the 69th minute, but Cili made a pair of excellent saves in quick succession to keep the match within reach, but it was not enough for Illinois as they were not able to find an equalizer over the final 21 minutes.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 7, as they conclude this season-long five-match road trip with a Braggin' Rights match at Missouri. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. CT.
