Chambana Sun

Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield has announced the addition of Anessa Arndt to the Fighting Illini roster for the upcoming 2024 season. Arndt, a defender from Cary, North Carolina, joins Illinois after an impressive stint at Old Dominion.

During her time at Old Dominion, Arndt made 61 appearances and started in 52 matches over three years. She scored one goal and provided two assists. Her contributions were pivotal in securing three conference tournament championships—twice in the Sun Belt and once in C-USA. In 2023, she was named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament Team.

Arndt's experience extends to NCAA tournaments as well, having participated in three during her tenure at Old Dominion. She was part of a defensive line that ranked sixth nationally last season in goals against average with a .513 rate and helped achieve a program record of 12 clean sheets.

Explaining her decision to join Illinois, Arndt said: "The excellent academic and athletic opportunities. The coaches and team were welcoming and have created a competitive environment that will help me grow as a person and an athlete."

Coach Rayfield expressed enthusiasm about Arndt's arrival: "Anessa brings defensive experience at a championship level to our program. Her winning mentality and ability to play out of the back will help us play the way we want to play. She also comes from a winning program and that aspect has been a key component of our entire 2024 group."