The Illinois soccer team (10-8-3) has made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row. After a tough, gut-wrenching win against Washington State in penalty kicks, things will get even more challenging against No. 7 Portland (17-2-1), the West Coast Conference co-champions, on Friday.

While this is the ninth time in 12 NCAA tournaments the Illini have made it to the second round, they have not had overwhelming success going 2-5-1 in second round matches. Last season, Illinois lost 9-2 against the eventual NCAA champion, North Carolina. While it may not be North Carolina, Portland is still a powerhouse program in its own right.

“They have this history that they play with and it certainly helps them as they count on that as experience,” Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. “But it’s a very patient team. It’s a team that likes to play, that likes to knock the ball around, that will try to tire you out just chasing the ball.”

It’s a style Illinois should be familiar with. Rayfield said Portland makes opponents really have to try to regain possession after losing it. Illinois plays with a very similar possession-oriented style. Passes are not always meant to be dangerous but to retain possession and frustrate opponents.

The Pilots have won 14 of their last 15 matches including a 2-0 win against Seattle in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Portland, a third seed in this year’s tournament, won the only meeting between the two teams 4-1 back in 2009.

This week, weather conditions are not expected to be as bad in Lincoln, Neb., as they were in Pullman, Wash., last week. Freshman goalkeeper Claire Wheatley had a career-high 13 saves in that first round win against Washington State, but this match, she hopes to not face as formidable conditions on the field.

“Hopefully … I’ll be able to definitely keep those balls in my hands,” she said. “And hopefully I won’t have to make as many saves.”

While Wheatley was instrumental in helping Illinois make it to the second round, her defense also stepped up in blocking many of the shots Washington State took. What was at one point a relatively young and inexperienced defense is now expected to be playing like veterans this late in the season.

Defenders like freshman Casey Conine have matured and developed in the system and are now riding a wave of confidence she hopes continues deep into the NCAA tournament, thanks in large part to her coach.

“Janet (Rayfield) has definitely given us the confidence to be out there and be the leaders,” Conine said. “And take on positions that veterans have been in and do our best jobs there.”

At this point in the season, not much learning is happening on the field. With the younger players not being considered as such anymore, it is all about executing come match time.

“I think at this point in time you’re not working on anything,” Rayfield said. “You’re just sharpening the ax. The ax is there. You’ve built your team. You’ve taught them the things that you can teach them.

“I don’t think you really work on things this time of year. You pick the things that you know are going to be important. You make sure you’re physically and mentally ready and then you go and play those games and try to advance.”

Alex can be reached at [email protected] and @AlexOrtiz2334