Soccer

Ask any member of the Illini soccer team, and they’ll likely tell you that the 2009 campaign was one of ups and downs. Coming off six straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 run in the 2008 season, this year’s squad faced high expectations.

12/15/2009 - 2:11 AM    Post your comment

Finishing has been the primary point of emphasis all season for the Illini soccer team, and for the second straight week it proved to be its Achilles heel.

Despite putting up seven shots in the first half and 13 for the game, the Illini (7-9-3, 2-6-2 Big Ten) were unable to find the back of the net for the second consecutive match Friday, dropping a 1-0 contest at Northwestern (7-10-2, 4-5-1). With the loss, the Illini are officially out of NCAA Tournament contention since a .500 record is required to qualify.

11/9/2009 - 9:44 PM    Post your comment

The Illini soccer team was shut out for the second straight game Friday night at
Northwestern (7-10-2, 4-5-1), where the team dropped a 1-0 decision despite outshooting the Wildcats, 13-6.

11/7/2009 - 1:47 AM    Post your comment

With one game left and a chance to break even on the season, the Illini soccer team has one thing on its mind — pride. Going into tonight’s finale at Northwestern, the Illini are only focusing on the present.

11/6/2009 - 12:14 AM    Post your comment

Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield had a very specific set of goals this weekend: Beat Michigan State and Michigan and stay alive in the fight for a postseason tournament berth.

11/2/2009 - 5:00 AM    Post your comment

A strong offensive showing on Friday was followed up by a tough Senior Day loss on Sunday for the Illini soccer team.

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11/1/2009 - 6:27 PM    Post your comment

Former Illini soccer star and current member of the Chicago Red Stars Ella Masar was called up to the U.S. Women's National Team on October 19th. This past Thursday, Masar traveled with the team to Augsburg, Germany, to take on the German National Team. The U.S. came out on top in the match 1-0, and Masar saw playing time at the 73rd minute.

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11/1/2009 - 6:05 PM    Post your comment

The Illini broke out of an offensive dry spell in grand fashion Friday night, scoring a season-high five goals in a 5-0 rout of Michigan State (9-4-4, 2-4-2).

10/30/2009 - 10:28 PM    Post your comment

With three matches to go and a spot in the postseason tournament on the line, spectators need not remind the Illini soccer team that this weekend is a do-or-die situation.

10/30/2009 - 4:00 AM    Post your comment

The fighting Illini soccer team returns to Urbana this weekend for their final home appearances this season. It couldn’t come at a better time for this struggling squad.

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10/29/2009 - 3:44 PM    Post your comment

What started out as an opportunity for the Illinois soccer team to bolster its postseason resume ended in nightmarish fashion Sunday after a 6-0 loss at Penn State.

10/26/2009 - 4:00 AM    Post your comment

A dark cloud hovered over Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Thursday night, soaking the handful of spectators assembled and providing a stinging metaphor for the Illini soccer team's postseason hopes after a 3-0 loss to No. 19 Ohio State.

10/23/2009 - 4:00 AM    Post your comment

The Illini soccer team fought both mother nature and a physical Ohio State team on Thursday night.

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10/22/2009 - 9:52 PM    Post your comment

After stumbling out of the gate in Big Ten play, the Illini soccer team seems to have found a cure for its goal-scoring woes, as proven by its three-goal frenzy last weekend at Iowa.

10/21/2009 - 10:45 PM    Post your comment

The U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team announced Friday that former Illini great Ella Masar will be activated for the team’s Oct. 29 showdown against Germany.

The match will mark the first career cap earned by Masar, currently playing for the Chicago Red Stars.

10/19/2009 - 1:19 PM    Post your comment

A trio of defenders sparked a three-goal rally for the Illinois soccer team Saturday night, helping the team overcome an early deficit in a 3-1 come-from-behind win at Iowa. The win gave the Illini their first Big Ten victory of the season and marked their highest offensive output since a 3-1 win over UW-Milwaukee on Sept. 20.

10/19/2009 - 4:00 AM    Post your comment

The Illinois soccer team snapped its recent offensive dry spell Saturday night in a 3-1 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

10/18/2009 - 1:23 AM    Post your comment

Head coach Janet Rayfield brought the Illini soccer team together for a meeting this week after a 1-0 loss to Wisconsin in which she questioned the Illini's effort. It seemed the team that started the season in the top 20 had become flat, and she knew they would need to rally to climb back to the top of the conference. Since that meeting, the team has responded emphatically with some of its most spirited practices to date.

10/16/2009 - 4:00 AM    Post your comment

After a loss to Wisconsin last weekend, the Illini soccer team is looking to make some changes to get back on track and live up to their number 16 preseason ranking.

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10/14/2009 - 4:58 PM    Post your comment

For the first time this season, Illinois' head coach was noticeably upset with her team's effort — something not easily corrected in practice.

10/12/2009 - 4:00 AM    1 comment

The Illini soccer team is still seeking their first Big Ten win after Sunday's loss to Wisconsin.

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10/11/2009 - 6:06 PM    Post your comment
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