NCAA Women

Fighting Illini Soccer Set for Season Finale vs. Northwestern

Fighting Illini Soccer Set for Season Finale vs. Northwestern










WEEK 11: Illinois (7-8-2, 3-6-1 B1G) vs. Northwestern (6-9-3, 1-7-2 B1G)
Match 18: Northwestern Sunday, Oct. 27 // 1 p.m. CT // Demirjian Park // Champaign, Ill.
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois soccer concludes Big Ten and 2024 play on Sunday when they welcome Northwestern to Demirjian Park. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.

The 2024 season marks the 28th season of Illinois soccer, with the Illini holding an overall record of 290-225-48 (.558), and the 23rd season under the leadership of head coach Janet Rayfield.

 LAST TIME OUT

The Illini went 1-1-0 in their previous matchweek, earning a 1-0 at Indiana on Oct. 17 before a 2-1 defeat at Rutgers on Oct. 20.

Sarah Foley’s 13th minute goal was all Illinois needed against the Hoosiers, as the Orange and Blue kept their fourth clean sheet of the season and earned their first win in Bloomington since March 13, 2021.

The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 1-0 lead over the Illini in the 23rd, but a stunning free kick from Foley leveled the contest in the 25th minute, the junior’s 10th goal of the season. Rutgers, however, would take the lead for good in the 32nd minute.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN

The Illini lead in the all-time series against the Wildcats 14-10-4, with the last meeting between the two programs ending in a scoreless draw on Sept. 28, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. Coming into the final match of the regular season, Northwestern owns a 6-8-3 record on the year and a 1-7-2 record in Big Ten play, after getting a 3-0 win against Michigan and taking a 1-0 loss to No. 21 Michigan State in their previous matchweek. 

The Wildcats currently sit at 15th in the conference standings after being picked to finish 12th in the preseason poll, with defender Emma Phillips and mid fielders Josie Aulicino and Caterina Regazzoni being named to the preseason Big Ten players to watch list.

ILLINOIS NOTES

  • Illinois picked up its first comeback win of the season on Oct. 6 at Purdue…the Illini had also previously been 0-3-0 on the season when trailing at halftime…it was also the Illini’s first win when trailing at the half since Sept. 22, 2022, at Maryland…the…

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