| WEEK 4: Illinois (3-1-1, 0-0-0) at Georgia (1-2-2, 0-0-0) // at Mercer (4-1-1, 0-0-0) | |
|---|---|
| Match 6: Georgia | Thursday, Sept. 5 // 5:30 p.m. CT // Turner Soccer Complex // Athens, Ga. |
| Match 7: Mercer | Sunday, Sept. 8 // 1 p.m. CT // Betts Stadium // Macon, Ga. |
| Watch Live | Georgia // Mercer |
| Live Stats | FightingIllini.com |
| Printable Notes | Illinois // Georgia // Mercer |
| Shop | Online Store |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois soccer hits the road for the first time this season for a pair of matches in the Peach State. First up, a second-straight SEC foe, Georgia on Thursday in Athens before heading south to take on Mercer in Macon . Kickoffs are set for 5:30 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 286-218-47 (.562), and the 23rd season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.
LAST TIME OUT
The Illini suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 2-1 to Kentucky on Aug. 31 at Demirjian Park, ending their four-match unbeaten run to begin the campaign.
Kentucky jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second half before Sarah Foley, with her third goal of the season, pulled Illinois within a goal, but the Orange and Blue were unable to come up with the equalizer.
The Illini went 3-1-1 in their season-opening five-match homestand.
SCOUTING GEORGIA
Illinois holds a 1-0-0 all-time record against Georgia, winning 2-1 in the only matchup between the two programs on Sept. 5, 2003 , in Athens, Ga.
The Bulldogs enter the match with a 1-2-2 record during the 2024 season. In its previous matchweek, Georgia went 0-1-1 with a draw at No. 1 Florida State on Aug. 29, before suffering a 0-2 loss at Central Florida on Sept. 1.
In the first United Soccer Coaches Poll of the 2024 season Georgia was slotted at 16, since then the Bulldogs have gone 1-2-1 and have fallen out of the top 25. Georgia was tabbed to finish 3rd in the SEC this season and were represented on the SEC Preseason Watchlist by goalkeeper Jordan Brown, midfielders Summer Denigan, Amber Nguyen, Dasia Torbert and Nicole Vernis, and forwards Nargie Detrizio, and Hannah White.
SCOUTING MERCER
The two programs are set to face each other for the first time…
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