Chambana Sun

Illinois soccer will begin its 2025 season under new head coach Katie Hultin, marking the start of the program's 29th year. The team is scheduled to play its first two matches on the road, facing UIC in Chicago on August 14 and Bowling Green in Ohio on August 17.

This season is notable as it follows the retirement of Janet Rayfield, who led Illinois for 23 seasons. Hultin now takes over a program with an all-time record of 291-225-48.

The match against UIC will be the first meeting between the two teams. Last season, UIC finished with an overall record of 8-10-2 and had a strong showing in Missouri Valley Conference play, going 6-2-2. They advanced past Illinois State in their conference tournament before being eliminated by Drake.

Illinois’ second opponent, Bowling Green, finished last season at .500 with a record of 7-7-4 and went out in the first round of their conference tournament against Ohio. The Illini previously defeated Bowling Green in their only other matchup in September 2021.

In preparation for this season, Illinois returns 13 letterwinners and welcomes 12 newcomers to its squad. The team ended last year with an even record (8-8-2), including a home mark of 5-5-1 at Demirjian Park and a road record of 2-5-3. This marks the first time since before the pandemic that Illinois will open its schedule away from home. They are also aiming for their sixth straight win in a season opener.

Illinois is set to compete against three opponents ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25: Penn State (11), Michigan State (12), and Ohio State (18).

Three players have been recognized by the Big Ten as ones to watch this year: Sarah Foley, Izzy Lee, and Emma Yee.

"Foley begins her senior season in 2025 after a career year in her junior campaign. She was named to All-Big Ten Second-Team honors and tallied career-best marks in goals (11), shots (33), shots on goal (22) and game-winning goals (6). Her 11 goals and 24 points were both the most in a single season by an Illini since 2015. Additionally, her six game-winners were the most in a single season by an Illini since Vanessa DiBernardo had eight in 2011. Foley recorded her first-career brace on Sept. 8 at Mercer and posted her second at Wisconsin on Sept. 19."

"Lee enters her redshirt junior year in 2025 after being one of the top keepers in the Big Ten last season. She started all 18 matches in the net and kept four clean sheets in those appearances. She recorded 97 saves on the season which was tied for sixth-most all-time in a single season in program history. Lee's 5.21 goals prevented during Big Ten play ranked second and she posted a career-high nine saves three times in a five-match span (Sept. 8 at Mercer, Sept. 19 at Wisconsin, Sept. 26 at Nebraska)."

"Yee enters her sophomore campaign in 2025 coming off a productive freshman season last year. She appeared in all 18 matches making 14 starts in those appearances logging a goal and two assists. She made her Illini debut on Aug.15 against Wright State where she recorded her first assist as well.Her first goal came on Oct .27 vs.Northwestern where she also added her second career assist."