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...
Illini reveal their pregame rituals
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
October 28, 2019
ºSome athletes have pregame superstitions. Placing gear the same way or listening to the same playlist before a game can help players prepare for a game. And while Illinois soccer players have their own routines before games, the team comes together with music. Senior forward Kelly Maday has no se...
Illinois prepares to face Wisconsin
By Gabby Vazquez, Staff Writer
October 23, 2019
The Illinois soccer team will face off against Wisconsin at Demirjian Park Thursday at 8 p.m. Sophomore forward Makena Silber said after watching the Illinois football team upset No. 6 Wisconsin, the Illini soccer team is looking forward to hosting the Badgers this week. "It was awesome that the...
Illinois loses to Penn State, ties Ohio State
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
October 22, 2019
The Illinois soccer team lost 2-1 Thursday to Penn State (10-6-1) at University Park, Pennsylvania. Illinois (8-7-0) defeated Ohio State Sunday. The Nittany Lions ended the Illini’s season last year, defeating Illinois 1-0 in the 2018 Big Ten playoffs in Indianapolis. Historically, Penn State has been a ...
Illini face fifth consecutive loss against Wolverines
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
October 15, 2019
The Illinois soccer team lost to Michigan, 4-1, Friday at Demirjian Park. The loss is the Illini’s fifth consecutive. Illinois (7-6-0) last played Michigan (10-3-1) in 2017, with the Illini leaving Ann Arbor with a 3-0 loss. In Champaign, the game was very different. The first half was relatively ...
Illinois goalkeeper’s unusual path to the net
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
October 15, 2019
Illinois junior goalie Elizabeth Cablk has always been a goalkeeper. She started playing soccer at a young age, and by the age of 10, she stood out among her peers in the goal. But Cablk’s earliest memory of her sport involves her being far, far away from the net. “My first soccer memory is actuall...
Illini hope to overcome losing streak
By Gabby Vazquez, Staff Writer
October 9, 2019
This weekend, the Illinois soccer team will host Michigan and Michigan State University at Demirjian Park Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Illini return home after four consecutive Big Ten losses. Illinois' last win was on its home turf against Northwestern on Sept. 20, when the Illini edged the ...
Illinois earns fourth consecutive loss against Maryland
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
October 8, 2019
The Illinois soccer team continued its Big Ten campaign Sunday, losing to Maryland 6-2. The Illini have lost their last four games after starting the season 7-1 and garnering a No. 10 ranking in the NCAA RPI. Illinois has struggled in Big Ten so far, and Sunday’s game was Illinois’ worst defeat ...
