What happened Illinois flexed its offensive muscles in two exhibitions, scoring 16 total goals in shutout victories against Eastern Illinois and IU Indianapolis. Nothing changed in Thursday night’s season opener. Two early first-half goals from Sarah Foley and Sarah Hiestand were just the beginning against Wright State.
The Illini added four more in the second half from Kennedy Berschel, Alyssa Weede, Lauren Seppi and Ellen Persson in another 6-0 blowout win. What it means Goals scored has not been a statistic of strength for Illinois in recent years. Last year’s team tied for 11th in the Big Ten with 21 goals in 17 matches.
A goal differential of minus-4 wasn’t the only reason the Illini finished the year 6-8-3, with a 2-6-2 mark in conference play, but it was certainly a factor. What’s trending as a more potent offense could be the difference maker in at least getting back to the Big Ten tournament for the first time since 2018. What’s next The second match of Illinois’ five-match homestand to start the 2024 season kicks off at 1 p.
m. Sunday against DePaul, with the Illini seniors set to be honored in a pregame ceremony. It’s a favorable stretch at Demirjian Park given Illinois will have the luxury of home field advantage for most of its nonconference schedule.
There’s only a two-fer in “The Peach State” (at Georgia, at Mercer) before Big Ten play starts — again at home — against Minnesota on Sept. 12..
