Goals by Foley, Yee Power Illinois to 4-0 Start

CHICAGO – Illinois soccer (4-0-0) defeated DePaul (2-3-0), 2-0, on Thursday (Aug. 28) thanks to goals from Emma Yee and Sarah Foley in the second half.

This is the first time in program history the Illini haven't conceded a goal in the first four matches of a season, and it also marks the first time since 2015 they started 4-0. Head coach Katie Hultin was a part of that 2015 staff, serving as an assistant under head coach Janet Rayfield. 

Yee was dominant from the start, creating two chances for the Orange and Blue in the first 11 minutes. In the second minute, she cut to the middle, receiving a pass from Foley, before dishing it to Lia Howard who hit the post. Later in the 11th minute, she sprinted down the left wing creating space for a left-footed shot that forced the Blue Demons keeper to make a stop. 

Her game winner came in the 58th minute on a penalty kick that she buried in the bottom left corner to score herself a birthday goal. It's her first goal of the season, her first-career winner and second tally of her career. 

Foley added some insurance with her goal in the 85th minute off a long pass from Kyra Berman, who records her first collegiate assist and point. Foley now has a goal in two straight matches and 17 for her career. 

Izzy Lee was a brick wall for the fourth-straight contest, making seven saves on the evening. She's now tied her career high for single-season shutouts (4), which she set last year, and now has nine career shutouts. 

Ashley Stellon got a clean look from the top of the box in the 21st minute to give the Illini their third shot on net in the early going. 

Illinois ended up being outshot 16-13 and the Blue Demons also had more shots on goal (7-5), but the Illini emerged victorious 2-0. 

The Fighting Illini return to action on Sunday, Aug. 31, with a road trip to Lexington, Ky., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Kickoff is slated for noon CT.