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 defeated No. 18 Penn State 4-3 in a Big Ten women's soccer match on Thursday night at Demirjian Park, improving their season record to 9-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play. This marks the program's best start through 11 matches.
The Nittany Lions scored first in the ninth minute, but Illinois responded five minutes later when Sydney Stephens tied the game with a shot off the post. Lia Howard gave Illinois its first lead of the night in the 31st minute and later added another goal early in the second half for her first career brace. Penn State equalized twice, once before halftime and again in the 65th minute, but Emma Yee scored the decisive goal for Illinois in the 84th minute after receiving a pass from Ryleigh Wood.
Goalkeeper Izzy Lee made a career-high 10 saves during the match, becoming the first Illinois keeper to record double-digit saves since Julia Cili did so against Notre Dame in August 2022. Ashlyn Adams contributed two assists, helping set up goals by Stephens and Howard.
"This win snaps Illinois' 10-match slide to Penn State marking their first victory in the series since Nov. 2, 2012," according to Illinois Athletics. The team’s nine wins this season have already surpassed last year's total of eight. Attendance at Demirjian Park was reported as 808.
Illinois will next host No. 23 Ohio State on Sunday, September 28, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. Central Time.
Alerts Sign-up