On Friday, the Illini soccer team played one of its best games of the season, winning 4-0. On Sunday the Illini did not come out with as much intensity but still managed to defeat Iowa 3-2.

The two wins move the Illini’s record to 4-1 in the Big Ten and 10-2 overall.

Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield was concerned about the Illini’s performance on Sunday. She said they are going to have to be more consistent if they are going to meet expectations.

Friday night was the Illini’s first night home game and they fed from that, matching their highest goal total of the season with four and recording their seventh shutout.

“We played with the energy and enthusiasm we are capable of playing with tonight,” Rayfield said. “I think part of it has to do with that it is our first Friday night game at home under the lights. What we have to do now is take the energy and try to keep it every single day, every single game. Then we will be a force to reckon with.”

Sophomore forward Jessica Bayne sparked the offensive attack, scoring two goals.

The first goal came from a great defensive play from senior forward Tara Hurless and junior forward Natasha Karniski. They were able to steal the ball from a Minnesota player on her own end and found a wide open Bayne, who fired the ball into the net from about five yards out.

Bayne was not finished. On a wide open look, she shot the ball from about 15 yards out into the top corner of the net to put the Illini up 2-0.

“Jess (Bayne) played really well,” Rayfield said. “She got off to a good start this year, but I think she was trying to think too much lately. This weekend, she was able to relax and find a rhythm.”

Hurless and sophomore forward Brittany Ward notched the other two goals for the Illini. Freshman defender Mary Therese McDonnell and sophomore forward Eva Strickland recorded assists.

On Sunday, the Illini dominated in every statistic in the box score, except the score. The Illini were only able to put the ball in the net three times on 28 shots.

“This game should’ve been more like 5-0 or 6-0,” Hurless said. “We just need to finish our chances. I had four chances myself where I should have scored.”

Bayne continued her strong weekend, scoring the Illini’s third and final goal of the game, giving the Illini a 3-1 lead. Hurless and freshman forward Ella Masar tallied the other two goals for the Illini.

Against Iowa, the Illini gave a sub-par performance on the defensive side of the ball. Although the Illini only allowed the Hawkeyes seven shots on goal, they lost their focus on two occasions, which allowed the Hawkeyes a chance to tie late in the game.

“We knocked the ball around well today,” Rayfield said. “We dominated this game in every way, but it all comes down to the score. We allowed them to score two goals and that kept them in the game.”

Rayfield said the focus of improvement will be on the defensive side of the ball.

“The defense does not find (Sunday’s) performance acceptable,” Rayfield said. “We need to keep our defensive focus for 90 minutes.”