Freshmen class adapt to college, fall season without competition
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
October 12, 2020
With the graduation of a couple of several key players, including defenders Alicia Barker and Lexi Carrier, goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham, midfielder Arianna Veland and forward Kelly Maday, Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield brought in seven freshmen for the 2024 class. The freshmen class inc...
Rayfield’s rich soccer history helps Illinois succeed
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
October 1, 2020
Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield has an extensive history in soccer. She’s been head coach for almost 20 years and has been one of the most successful coaches in program history. However, even before her time at Illinois, she played collegiate soccer in an era where women’s soccer isn't...
NCAA board approves postponement of fall championships to spring
By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor
September 22, 2020
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved the postponement of fall sports championships to the spring, with the exclusion of football, on Tuesday. The postponement was originally recommended by the NCAA Division I Council last month after several Division 1 conferences halted their fall sports season...
Illinois alum Veland signs first professional contract
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
September 10, 2020
Former Illinois women’s soccer midfielder Arianna Veland signed her first professional contract with German club FC Würzburger Kickers. Veland played for Illinois from 2016-2019. According to Upper V Athlete Management via Twitter, who represents Veland, on Friday, Sept. 4, she had signed a contract and...
Goalkeepers use season cancellation for growth
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
September 8, 2020
Recent graduate Jaelyn Cunningham made a huge impact on the soccer team, during her four years at Illinois. Three out of her four years, she was the starting goalkeeper for the team and her outstanding performances led her to be named to the 2018 All-Big Ten Second Team. “Obviously Jaelyn is a stunning goalkeeper...
Demirjian Park set to be finished middle to late November
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
August 31, 2020
After a year of construction, Demirjian Park is set to finish by the middle or end of November. The Illinois soccer team would have started their 2020 season on the new field, but due to COVID-19 and the Big Ten canceling fall sports, there is a potential chance for its debut in the spring of 2021. W...
Illini sports continue practice following postponement of season
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
August 25, 2020
Huff Hall, Demirjian Park and Memorial Stadium are going to be empty this fall. The Illini won’t be competing against other Big Ten schools after the conference announced the cancellation of all fall sports Aug. 11. The Pac-12 conference followed suit later that day, and the remaining “Power 5...
Illini soccer make their way back to Champaign
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
July 15, 2020
Once Illinois moved into Phase 4 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, Illini sports began coming back to campus. Earlier this week the women’s soccer team started to make their way back to Champaign-Urbana. After discussion with the soccer staff, head coach Janet Rayfield made the...
All-time starting 11 shows off star Illini soccer players
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
June 5, 2020
The Illinois women’s soccer team has been in a slump over the past several seasons, going six years without an NCAA Tournament appearance. However, there are still many talented players to come out of the program. Here is Illinois’s all-time starting 11. Goalkeeper - Leisha Alcia Leisha Alcia is one o...
Team of the century: 2011 Illini soccer deliver most successful season in history
By Angelle Cortes, Staff Writer
May 10, 2020
Throughout the 23-year history of the Illinois women’s soccer team, 2011 was the best season that current head coach Janet Rayfield has seen in her 18 years as the head of the team. Rayfield led her team to a Big Ten tournament title and second-round NCAA tournament appearance. The Illini finished the...
Fall sports lose traction throughout season, some exceptions
By Meghan Rest, Sports Editor
December 12, 2019
This fall, Illinois experienced memorable victories and tragic losses at nearly every turn. Some Illini teams saw serious growth in the latter part of 2019, while others fell victim to expectation-shattering campaigns. Despite what record books and scoreboards may suggest, the Illini were full of surpr...
Maday earns United Soccer Coaches All-Region distinction
By Meghan Rest, Sports Editor
December 4, 2019
Illinois senior forward Kelly Maday was named to the United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-North Region, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Monday following USC's release of All-Region teams. Maday's first-ever All-Region nod marks her second accolade of the 2019 season after she...
