CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer (11-2-1, 4-2-1 B1G) shuts out Rutgers (3-5-4, 1-5-1 B1G), 2-0, on Thursday night in Demirjian Park. Izzy Lee made 10 saves to earn her eighth shutout of the season which is tied for fifth most in program history during a single season. She's the first Illini keeper since Steph Panozzo in 2011 to keep eight clean sheets in a season.
Sydney Stephens opened the scoring in the 39th minute off a pass from Lia Howard at the top of the box as she was cutting to the net. Howard hit her in stride for her first assist of the year while Stephens netted her third goal and second game winner on the season to give them each seven points in their 2025 campaigns.
In the same minute Howard drew a foul inside the box which sent Ellen Persson to the spot and she converted for her second goal of the season.
Illinois applied pressure within the first 10 minutes of the game on a shot from Cayla Jackson that sailed high. In the 19th minute Emma Yee took a shot from inside the penalty area that was deflected for the Illini's second high quality chance in the first 20 minutes.
Lee made crucial saves in the 34th and 64th minutes to keep momentum on Illinois' side and blank the Scarlet Knights. It's the Illini's ninth shutout of the season since Lee only played the first half in their 6-0 shutout of Valparaiso.
Illinois was outshot 12-10 and had fewer shots on goal 10-6 than Rutgers but converted on their high quality chances to earn their 11th win of the season. This is their first time since 2018 to win 11 matches in a season. Tonight's attendance was 674.
The Orange and Blue soccer club returns to action on Sunday (Oct. 12) for its final home match of the regular season with Purdue at 1 p.m. CT.
