CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois soccer begins the 2024 season with a five-match homestand, opening the campaign on Thursday vs. Wright State, followed by a Sunday showdown vs. DePaul. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. CT, respectively.
The 2024 season marks the 28th season of Illinois soccer, with the Illini holding an overall record of 283-217-46 (.560), and the 23rd season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.
PROMOTIONS
Thursday, Aug. 15 vs. Wright State | 7 p.m. CT
Home Opener – Illinois soccer opens its 28th season with its season and home opener.
Sunday, Aug. 18 vs. DePaul | 1 p.m. CT
Senior Celebration – Illinois will honor seniors in a pregame ceremony for their hard work and dedication to Illini soccer.
SCOUTING WRIGHT STATE
The Illini lead in the all-time series against the Raiders, 2-0-0, coming away with a 3-1 victory in the last meeting between the two programs on Aug. 24, 2010, in Champaign. The Orange and Blue also came away with a 2-0 win in a neutral-site showdown on Sept. 10, 2004, the first game between the two programs.
Wright State went 6-7-5 in 2023, including a 4-3-3 mark in Horizon League play. The Raiders return their top two assist providers from last season’s campaign to the 2024 squad in midfielders Olivia Mace (4) and Caitlin Burger (3). Starting goalkeeper Kiera Sarka also returns to the side, where she ranked second in the Horizon League with 94 saves and tied for third with six shutouts. The Raiders were tabbed to finish fourth in the Horizon League.
SCOUTING DEPAUL
The Illini and the Blue Demons are tied in the all-time series, 1-1-0, with DePaul handing Illinois a 3-1 defeat in the last meeting between the two programs on Aug. 23, 2018, in Chicago. In the only matchup at Demirjian Park between the two sides, the Illini came away with a 2-1 triumph on Aug. 20, 2017.
DePaul went 6-7-4 last season and 2-5-3 in BIG EAST play. Midfielder Beth Smyth, who ranked second on the Blue Demons with three goals, returns the side as well as forward Freya Jupp, who ranked third on the squad with two goals. Midfielder Lea Eisenring, who finished tied for the team lead with two assists, also returns. The Blue Demons were tabbed to finish in 11th in the 2024 BIG EAST Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll.
ILLINOIS NOTES
- Illinois finished the 2023 season with a 6-8-3…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Illinois Athletics…