CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois soccer (3-0-1) moved its unbeaten run to begin the season to four matches after a dominant 4-0 victory over Illinois State (1-1-1) today at Demirjian Park.
Sarah Foley, Kennedy Berschel, Regan Moody and Angie Galo all got on the scoresheet while the Illini defense limited the Redbirds to just one shot on goal, on three total shots, as Izzy Lee kept her second clean sheet of the campaign.
It took just 31 seconds for the Orange and Blue to get on the board, as Foley sweetly struck a volley from distance into the back of the net to make it 1-0, her second goal of the season.
Berschel doubled the lead in the seventh minute, another strike from distance, curling a shot with her left foot over the out-stretched arms of the Redbird keeper, also her second tally of year.
Illinois continued to apply pressure, which eventually paid off in the 37th minute, when a mazy run from Lindsey DuSatko down the right wing saw her pick out Moody inside the six-yard box, and the redshirt freshman headed the ball in for the second goal in as many matches.
The Illini carried the 3-0 advantage into the break, holding a 9-2 edge in shots. Lee needed to make just one save in the opening 45, easily claiming a looped header from outside the area.
In the 68th minute, Illinois would win a free kick, where Berschel would pick out Galo with her delivery into the Illinois State penalty area and the senior fired her effort into the top right corner of the net for her first-career goal, becoming the Illini's 10th different goalscorer of the season.
The hosts nearly made it five just two minutes later but Moody was denied twice from close range by the Redbird keeper and Claire Murray struck her follow-up effort over the bar.
The Illini had a sight at goal again in the 84th minute when Murray saw a chance from long range but her shot was well saved. Emma Yee almost opened her collegiate account in the 85th minute, but her effort struck the frame of the goal.
The dominant performance from the offense resulted in a 20-3 supremacy in shots, including an 11-1 edge in shots on goal.
The Fighting Illini will wrap up this five-match homestand on Saturday, where they welcome Kentucky to Demirjian Park. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT.
