CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois soccer (5-5-2, 1-2-1) secured a massive three points in Big Ten play with a 1-0 shutout victory over Maryland (3-6-4, 0-4-1) today at Demirjian Park.
Sarah Foley's eighth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 17th minute was all that was needed for the Illini to capture their first win in conference play this season, as the Orange and Blue held the Terrapins to just one shot on goal in the match.
The visitors looked to jump out to an early lead by winning a corner kick just seconds into the match, but after clearing the danger from the ensuing set piece, it was all Illini for the rest of the first half.
Emma Yee and Sarah Foley each had shots blocked in the fourth and 12th minutes, respectively, as Illinois dominated possession in the early minutes.
The pressure paid off in the 17th minute, when Mya Archibald was quickest to an errant pass just outside of the penalty area and was brought down in the area as she beat her defender. Foley stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent the Maryland keeper the wrong way, calmly sliding the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Her eight goals lead the squad and are most scored by an Illini in a single season since 2018.
Illinois nearly doubled its lead in the 23rd minute when a mad scramble in the box led to a chance for Lia Howard on the doorstep, but the Maryland keeper made an excellent reaction save to the deny the junior.
Again the Illini looked certain to find the back of the net in the 29th minute when Claire Murray met Abby Lynch's cross well, but another great save from the Terps keeper kept the Illinois lead at one.
Illinois would take the one-goal lead into the break, while also holding an 11-2 advantage in shots, forcing three saves.
 It was a slow start from both sides in the opening 15 minutes in the second half, with neither team able to carve out any chances on goal.
Angie Galo had the first sight at goal in the 58th minute, driving her volley on net, but had it saved.
It would take until the 66th minute for Izzy Lee, the Big Ten's leading shot stopper, to record her first save of the match, making a nice diving stop off of a well-worked free kick routine from Maryland.
The Terrapins nearly found an equalizer in the 70th minute, but a shot from distance just scraped the top of the crossbar and went out of play.
Illinois was able to comfortably see out the final 20 minutes of the contest to earn the 1-0 win, snapping a four-match winless run.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 6, when they head to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.
