ATHENS, Ga. — Illinois soccer (3-2-1) was blanked by Georgia (2-2-2), 2-0, tonight at Turner Soccer Complex.
Illini goalkeeper Izzy Lee made a career-high eight saves but two Bulldog goals on each side of the break were the difference in the match.
Lee was called upon early in the contest in the eighth minute, making a good diving stop at her near post to deny an early Georgia opportunity. The Western Springs, Ill., native, made another save in the ninth minute, this time tipping another shot over the bar to keep the match level.
Illinois’ first chance came in the 14th minute through Claire Murray, but she hit her shot straight at the Georgia keeper.
Sarah Foley nearly gave the Orange and Blue the lead all on her own in the 20th minute, picking up the ball at midfield and beating three defenders on a mazy run, but was unable to slot the ball into the net.
Neither side looked like they were going to break the deadlock in the first half, as each defense was proving tough to crack.
In the 44th minute, the Bulldogs found the opener when the ball found an attacker unmarked from close range, making it 1-0.
Coming out of halftime, the hosts doubled their tally in the 47th minute, when a deflected shot fell in the path of an attacker, resulting in another goal from close range.
Illinois was unable to break down the Georgia defense in the second half, ultimately falling 2-0.
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