Jeff Freeman Associate Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Jeff Freeman Associate Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois soccer is set to open Big Ten play against Minnesota at Demirjian Park on Thursday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
The 2024 season marks the 28th season of Illinois soccer, with the team holding an overall record of 287-219-47 (.567), and the 23rd season under head coach Janet Rayfield.
Promotions for the game include recognizing Illini Soccer student-athletes' Most Valuable Professor (MVP) in a halftime ceremony.
In their last matchweek, Illinois went 1-1-0. On September 5, they were shut out by Georgia with a score of 2-0, despite goalkeeper Izzy Lee making a career-high eight saves. They rebounded on September 8 with a 3-2 victory over Mercer, where Claire Murray scored her first collegiate goal just seconds into the match and Sarah Foley scored twice in the second half.
The Fighting Illini have a historical record of 13-11-5 against Minnesota. Their last encounter was on October 8, 2023, when Minnesota won 3-1 in Minneapolis. This season, Minnesota has a record of 5-0-1 and recently defeated Army and drew with Brown.
Key players for Illinois include Sarah Foley, who has scored five goals this season including three game-winners; Izzy Lee, who has recorded two clean sheets and leads conference keepers with 35 total saves; and Claire Murray, who became the team's eleventh different goalscorer this season.
Demirjian Park saw its largest crowd ever on August 25 when it hosted Illinois State with an attendance of 1,328 fans.
Regan Moody was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on August 26 after scoring two goals during the second matchweek. Sophomore defender Mya Archibald has been named to Canada's roster for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia.
Three Illinois players—Kennedy Berschel, Ella Karolak, and Mya Archibald—were named to the Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Players to Watch List. The team welcomes twelve newcomers this year under head coach Janet Rayfield.
Following their match against Minnesota, Illinois will continue Big Ten play with a trip to Lincoln to face Nebraska on September 19 before returning home to play No.17 Iowa on September 22.
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