Illinois (7-8-2, 3-6-1) and Rutgers (10-3-3, 6-2-2) played an evenly matched game despite the disparity in their season records. A heavily contested seven-minute span ultimately determined this match.
Illinois has shown significant improvement in the past month. Their field positioning and defensive coverage have both tightened up, reducing gaps that prior opposing teams have exploited. Earlier in the season, opponents could pull players out and then pass behind the defensive line into open space. The Illini also gave up lots of space to previous teams, sacrificing control of game pace and allowing teams to advance the field unpressured.
Now, the Illini step in immediately to close out attacking runs and cut off crosses more effectively. They force attackers into corners, preventing them from slowing and setting up the ball. The defense also crowds the center of the box, forcing shooters either high or wide. Despite recent losses, Illinois had some of their best games last week against USC and UCLA. Against Indiana on Thursday, they executed these improvements well, securing themselves a win.
The offense shows more cohesion and ball control; they now play more calmly. Ball control has improved, over dribbling has diminished and the team is able to assess when to reset the ball to the backfield to retain possession versus pushing forward and risking a turnover.
The Illini played well behind the ball as well. They played the ball to space where an unguarded player from the backfield was already making a run, keeping up the pace of play and spreading the field.
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Additionally, Illinois’ ability to read and adapt to opposing teams has improved too. In this game, the Scarlet Knights repeatedly tried to capitalize on sideline runs from senior forward Riley Tiernan. Just staying onside, she would use her impressive ball-handling skills to beat out multiple defenders and burst into open space.
However, despite the defense getting beaten out here, Illinois still managed to defend against this technique by closing off the midfield so Tiernan had no one to send the ball to once she got free. The longer she held the ball, the more defenders and midfielders Illinois could rally and force her to take an off-target shot or win the ball.
Stopping Tiernan was crucial, as she is an aggressive scorer and leads her team in assists with eight. She demonstrates excellent positioning and good on and off ball movement, making her a dangerous player up top. Illinois effectively shut her down for most of the game.
Before Rutgers’ first goal, most of the team’s attempts came from outside the box due to Illinois crowding the middle, preventing them from pushing inside. But a defensive mistake allowed Tiernan to score, earning Rutgers their first goal in the 22nd minute. Illinois tried to reset to redshirt goalkeeper Izzy Lee, who then sent it out wide to a defender. Tiernan had been tracking the ball and capitalized on this mistake. She picked the ball, running behind the spread defensive line into open territory. She juked Lee and kicked into an empty goal.
Illinois responded two minutes later with their own fake-out goal. The referee awarded a free kick to the Illini after an aggressive slide tackle from behind. Fifth-year midfielder Kennedy Berschel and junior forward Sarah Foley both lined up for the shot. Berschel ran up first, but it was Foley who took the kick into the top corner and scored.
Winning back that deficit so soon was monumental in keeping Illinois’ pace up. While the team has never given up when they are behind, playing a long game on the back foot can be disheartening for a team. Keeping up their energy and sticking with their formations was critical in equalizing the game within minutes.
This tie did not last long, though. In the 32nd minute of gameplay, another turnover in the defensive third was converted into a leading goal for Rutgers. On another reset to Lee, an Illinois defender took too long to step to the ball, and when she did receive the pass, she lost her footing. Tiernan, as always, was on top of the ball and picked it from the defender.
Unlike last time, multiple Illini descended on the senior immediately and she was forced to cross the ball. Another top scorer for Rutgers, freshman midfielder Shaela Bradley was making an aggressive run in and caught the cross just in time to attack. Her shot was too powerful for Lee to stop, and again the Scarlet Knights took the lead.
The rest of the game was spent searching for another Illinois equalizer but they fell short of getting one. Rutgers also hunted for another goal to secure the game. However, the rejuvenated Illinois defense improved with every run and snatched multiple passes.
Despite the loss, Illinois played a good game against a good team. The statistic disparity between the teams meant nothing to the Illini as they adapted on the fly and stood strong against fast forwards and long crosses. Lee also blocked some difficult shots, preventing the Scarlet Knights’ lead from extending.
The Illini held Rutgers to just three shots, with one on target in the second half. This starkly differs from the seven shots Rutgers took in the first half and the eight Illinois got off in the second.
Now, Illinois looks ahead to their last game of the regular season, hoping to put all their cards on the table and end the season on a high note against Northwestern on Sunday.
