Chambana Sun

Illinois soccer (2-0-0) secured a 2-1 win over DePaul (0-1-1) on senior day, thanks to a late 83rd-minute winner from Lia Howard.

Ashley Stellon opened the scoring in the 44th minute from the penalty spot, marking her first goal of the season.

The Orange and Blue have now won their first two games of the season for the fifth consecutive campaign.

The Illini started the match aggressively, nearly going ahead in the 13th minute, but Maddie Mariani's shot from close range was saved.

Illinois was denied an opener by the crossbar twice in quick succession: first from Sarah Hiestand's strike from distance in the 24th minute, followed by Alyssa Weede's effort that rattled the bar in the 27th minute.

Howard nearly found a breakthrough in the 40th minute, less than five minutes into her season debut, but her shot was saved at the last moment by DePaul’s goalkeeper.

More sustained pressure from Illinois led to consecutive corner kicks late in the half. Hiestand was denied again by the post after she rose highest to meet Ella Karolak's corner in the 41st minute.

The contest looked destined to head to halftime scoreless until Lindsey DuSatko intercepted an errant clearance from DePaul’s goalkeeper and found Howard. The Massapequa native played Stellon through on goal, where she was brought down and drew a penalty. Stellon converted with a shot into the top-left corner of the goal, giving Illinois a 1-0 lead just before halftime.

At halftime, Illinois held an 8-4 advantage in shots, with both keepers making two saves each.

The second half began with neither side having clear opportunities for about fifteen minutes. The Illini were denied by woodwork for a fourth time when Regan Moody struck the post from close range in the 63rd minute after beating DePaul’s keeper.

In the 69th minute, DePaul leveled through a well-executed set-piece routine following a free kick on Illinois' right side of their penalty area.

Illinois pressed for another goal and controlled much of play thereafter. In the 83rd minute, Sydney Stephens looped a ball over defenders to Howard. The junior held off several defenders and created space for a shot that struck inside of goalpost and went into net putting Illinois ahead at 2-1.

The final seven minutes saw Illinois successfully prevent any further attempts on their goal by DePaul as they closed out victory.

Illinois continues its five-match homestand Thursday against Missouri at Demirjian Park with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

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