PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Illinois soccer (7-8-2, 3-6-1) fell to Rutgers (10-3-3, 6-2-2), 2-1, today at Yurcak Field.
Sarah Foley's 10th goal of the season in the 26th minute leveled the contest after the Scarlet Knights took a 1-0 lead, but a second goal from the hosts in the 32nd minute would be the difference.
Rutgers had the best chance of the opening 15 minutes of the contest, but Illini keeper Izzy Lee prevented the opening goal with a great diving save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar.
Lauren Seppi had a couple looks on goal in the both the 12th and 18th minute, but the freshman could only find the hands of the Scarlet Knights keeper.
The hosts would take the lead in the 23rd minute, when they forced a turnover deep in the Illini defensive third and would eventually convert on the attacking opportunity.
Just 18 seconds later, Lia Howard would win a free kick just outside of the Rutgers penalty area, setting up a great set piece opportunity. Foley would step up and curl her free kick around the wall and into the top-right corner of the net, leveling the contest at 1-1. It was Foley's 10th goal of the season, becoming the first Illini since Jannelle Flaws in 2015 (11 goals) to hit the double-digit mark.
The Scarlet Knights would retake the lead, however, in the 32nd minute, again coming off of a turnover in the Illinois defensive third.
Rutgers would take the 2-1 advantage into the break, with both sides firing away seven shots. Lee would make four saves in the first half, while her Scarlet Knights counterpart was forced into two saves.
The Illini set off straightaway in the second half pushing for a second equalizer, getting away four shots in the first 15Â minutes of the half, forcing one save.Â
The Orange and Blue nearly found their second goal in the 60th minute when Howard got the ball near the penalty spot, but the junior rifled her attempt just wide of the post.
Angie Galo tried her luck from distance in the 74th minute, but her shot headed for the bottom-left corner of the net was well saved.
The Illinois defense held firm in the second half, allowing just three shots, with only one coming on target, but the Illini were ultimately unable to come up with a second goal, falling 2-1.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Oct. 27, when they welcome Northwestern to Demirjian Park for the 2024 season finale. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
