Janet Rayfield Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Janet Rayfield Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Fighting Illini soccer concluded their 2023 season with a 4-2 loss to No. 25 Nebraska at Demirjian Park on Sunday. The team finished the season with an overall record of 6-8-3 and a Big Ten record of 2-6-2, while maintaining a home pitch record of 4-3-0.
In the early minutes, Illinois had opportunities to score against Nebraska. Sydney Stephens set up Makala Woods in the seventh minute, but her shot went wide. Another chance came in the 14th minute when Sarah Foley found Woods, whose attempt was saved by Nebraska's goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper Julia Cili made a diving save from a corner kick in the 19th minute, but Nebraska scored soon after on another corner kick. Illinois nearly equalized in the 23rd minute with Lia Howard's header being saved at close range.
Nebraska extended their lead by scoring three more goals before halftime, making it 4-0 at the break.
Illinois responded in the second half with Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal assisting Woods for a goal in the 51st minute. The Illini defense limited Nebraska to just one off-target shot during this period.
The team's efforts paid off again in the 89th minute when Kennedy Berschel and Stephens set up Howard for her fifth goal of the season, lifting her shot over Nebraska's goalkeeper.
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