Janet Rayfield Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Janet Rayfield Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois soccer concludes its season-opening five-match homestand with a contest against Kentucky on Saturday at Demirjian Park, scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
The 2024 season marks the 28th year of Illinois soccer and the 23rd under head coach Janet Rayfield. The Illini hold an overall record of 286-217-47 (.563).
Promotions for Saturday's match include Youth Sports Day, featuring a post-match clinic for kids, and Graduate Student Night, which includes a pre-match tailgate and special seating for graduate students.
In their previous matches, Illinois recorded a 1-1 draw against Missouri on August 22 and a decisive 4-0 win over Illinois State on August 25. Against Missouri, Regan Moody scored her first career goal in the 73rd minute before Missouri equalized six minutes later. Goalkeeper Izzy Lee made seven saves in that match. In the victory over Illinois State, Sarah Foley scored early, followed by goals from Kennedy Berschel, Regan Moody, and Angie Galo.
Kentucky enters the matchup with a perfect 4-0-0 record this season. The Wildcats recently defeated Detroit Mercy (2-0) and Jacksonville State (4-1). This will be Kentucky's first road game of the season.
The Illini trail in their all-time series against Kentucky with an 0-2-0 record. Their last encounter was on September 3, 2023, where Illinois lost 1-0 in Lexington.
Illinois boasts one of the most potent attacks in college soccer this season with thirteen goals tied for most in the Big Ten alongside Penn State. They also lead the conference with eighteen assists and have ten different players who have scored this season.
Redshirt freshman forward Regan Moody was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after scoring two goals during last week's matches. Additionally, sophomore defender Mya Archibald has been selected to Canada's roster for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Three Illini players—Kennedy Berschel, Ella Karolak, and Mya Archibald—were named to the Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Players to Watch List earlier this month.
Looking ahead, Illinois will travel to Georgia next week to face No.24 Georgia Bulldogs on September 5 and Mercer on September 8.
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