University of Illinois
1-0-1, 0-0-0
Cincinnati
1-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Illinois | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Illini Complete Comeback to Defeat Bearcats, 2-1
August 20, 2026 | Soccer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois soccer team (1-0-1) defeated Cincinnati (1-1-0), 2-1, on Thursday night in Demirjian Park to get its first win of the 2026 season. Hedda Ornberg buried the game winner in the 86th minute after Cayla Jackson played an excellent ball in to Ashlyn Adams who crossed it over to Ornberg as she slid into the shot.
The Illini applied the pressure early in the contest outshooting the Bearcats 4-0 in the first half, but couldn't get a shot to go on net. The Bearcats opened the scoring early in the second half on their first shot of the match in the 50th minute after Lexi O'Shea took advantage of a misplayed ball in the box.
From that moment forward it was all Illinois as Jackson rifled the equalizer into the top left corner of the goal from 25 yards out in the 54th minute. Alyssa White and Adams would each hit a couple posts before Ornberg's eventual game winner.
Izzy Lee made two saves as Illinois outshot Cincinnati 12-5 with each team having three shots on goal. Tonight's attendance was 570. The Orange and Blue soccer squad is back in action on Sunday (Aug. 23) for an intrastate matchup against UIC at 5 p.m. CT in Demirjian Park.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Lexi OShea (1)
Assisted By: Braelyn Even
GOAL by CIN OShea, Lexi Assist by Even, Braelyn.
49:55
Cayla Jackson (1)
Assisted By: Alyssa White
GOAL by ILL Jackson, Cayla Assist by White, Alyssa.
53:32
Hedda Ornberg (1)
Assisted By: Ashlyn Adams , Cayla Jackson
GOAL by ILL Ornberg, Hedda Assist by Adams, Ashlyn and Jackson, Cayla.
85:38
