University of Illinois
Saint Louis
Illinois Soccer Set to Complete Homestand with Saint Louis
August 25, 2026 | Soccer
PREVIEW
| WEEK 3: Illinois (1-0-2) vs. Saint Louis (2-1-0) | |
|---|---|
| Match 4: Saint Louis | Thursday, Aug. 27 // 6 p.m. CT // Demirjian Park // Champaign, Ill. |
| Watch | Big Ten Network |
| Live Stats | StatBroadcast |
| Notes | Illinois // Saint Louis |
| Shop | Online Store |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer is set to complete its season opening four-match homestand with Saint Louis on Thursday (Aug. 27) at 6 p.m. CT in Demirjian Park on Big Ten Network.
The Illini are coming off a two-match week after a 2-1 comeback win against Cincinnati on Thursday (Aug. 20) and a scoreless draw against UIC on Sunday (Aug. 23). The Illini are still unbeaten on the year with a 1-0-2 record through three matches.
SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
Saint Louis is 2-1 on the year so far with a 5-0 win over Lindenwood on Aug. 16 and a 1-0 win over Missouri on Aug. 20. The Billikens lone loss came on Aug. 12 2-1 against Alabama which they lost in the final two minutes on a penalty kick.
This will be the seventh meeting all time between the Illini and Billikens and the first one in 10 years with the series tied at 3-3. The last meeting was on Aug. 28, 2016, which Saint Louis won 1-0 and the first meeting dates to Oct. 21, 1997, which Saint Louis also won 3-1. Illinois last beat Saint Louis on Aug. 30, 2015, with a 3-1 victory in Champaign.
ILLINI NOTES
- Katie Hultin joins Jillian Ellis as the only head coaches in program history to remain unbeaten through their first three matches in their first two seasons.
- Izzy Lee has made nine saves with two clean sheets so far this season. She was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week on Aug. 18, the first Illini keeper to earn this distinction since Sami Sample (March 16, 2021).
- The shutout of UIC on Aug. 23 was the 100th home shutout in Illinois soccer history.
- Cayla Jackson scored the first goal of the season for Illinois in the second half against Cincinnati from 25 yards out off of an assist from Alyssa White. She also recorded an assist on the game winner to Hedda Ornberg in the 86th minute.
- Hedda Ornberg scored the game winner against Cincinnati for her first goal as an Illini off the assists from Ashlyn Adams and Jackson.
- Six new faces made their Illini debuts in the home opener against Georgia: Ava Arengo, Gabriella Garcia-Terrell, Kylie Marschall, Sophia McMillan, Hedda Ornberg and Alyssa White. While Abby Anderson and Avia Hughes made their debuts against UIC.
- Illinois begins the season ranked No. 9 in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, up from No. 15 to start last season.
