Now that the offseason training is over, the long awaited beginning to the Illinois soccer team’s 2014 season will arrive on Friday against Notre Dame at home. Coming off a shutout victory in an exhibition game at Indiana State, the Illini will remain defensive-minded to open the season.

“We’re so far ahead (defensively) of where we were at the same time last year,” 13^th year head coach Janet Rayfield said. “We really wanted to get a good defensive foothold and certainly start it off that way.”

Team defense has been the dominant focus of the offseason for the Illini, and with three starters returning on that end of the field, Rayfield believes continuity will be a large factor in that unit’s success.

Sophomore goalkeeper Claire Wheatley has noticed the improvements so far and is looking forward to seeing it first-hand.

“I think the defense is really good,” Wheatley said. “We watched some film and there are obviously some stuff we need to work on, but they’re easy things like putting a little effort here and there just to fix minor things. So I’m excited to see how it turns out and I’m definitely really excited to be in the goal and see what it looks like from that angle.”

With hopes of major defensive development, the offense could also be even better this year with last season’s national goal-scoring leader, senior forward Jannelle Flaws, returning along with new depth in the midfield that should allow for more well-rested and energetic play.

“Everywhere on the field, there’s someone that’s right there with you and you have to be that one step better to be on the field longer, so I think it’s just going to push us in practice to be even better than what we are,” Flaws said. “I think (it’s) just going to help in games that we can sub and use anyone and it’s still the same level of play with no drop off.”

With no clear cut winners of starting spots in the midfield, the Illini will use the opening game against Notre Dame to assess their depth as well their improved defense.

The Fighting Irish were ranked sixth in the ACC’s preseason coaches poll and defeated the Illini 4-1 in last season’s opening game, so they aren’t a team to take lightly. Rayfield knows the Illini will have a tough schedule and believes her team is ready to face its first challenge.

“We knew when we put this schedule together we were going to test this team right away, and I think this team is looking forward to that test,” Rayfield said. “They’ve trained hard in the summer, they came in fit and I think they’re really ready to assess themselves and see just how good this defense is, and I think Notre Dame is going to allow us to do that.”

Following their Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament last year, the expectations for Illinois are high this season.  However, the Illini know their end goals and are looking to get there by taking it slowly.

“We look into the future, but very much one day at a time,” Flaws said. “One of our sayings is ‘win the day’ and that’s kind of what we live by. Just win the day and keep winning each day and pieces will fall into place.”

Joey can be reached at [email protected] and @joeyfigueroa3.