CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer scored three first-half goals on its way to a shutout of the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines on Thursday night. Redshirt senior Reagan Robishaw and junior Kara Marbury each scored within the first nine minutes of play for the early lead, while sophomore Katie Murray added a third goal for the Illini before halftime. Illinois hands Michigan its first loss in Big Ten play as the Orange and Blue improve to 4-9-1 on the season and 1-4-1 in league play.

"One of the things we wanted to do tonight was to be really aggressive in the final third," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "I think getting that goal early gave us a bit of confidence and then we really started to go after it. Certainly, Michigan came at us with everything they had, but you've got to credit our defense as well. It was a team effort, Claire (Wheatley) made some great saves, but we also had players saving the ball off the line. We had a great, gritty defensive performance and we scored some great goals. We've said all along that is what this team is capable of, and tonight they showed what they're capable of on both sides of the ball."

Robishaw wasted no time on Thursday night, as she kicked off the scoring in style. Her first goal of the season, she placed a long ball just under the crossbar and over the Michigan goalkeeper's head in the sixth minute of play.

Just three minutes later, Marbury extended the Illinois lead, heading in a free kick from senior Hope D'Addario. The goal marks Marbury's second this season, and the assist is the fourth for D'Addario.

Sophomore Katie Murray took her turn in the 40^th minute, converting a pass in the box from senior Taylore Peterson. Murray earns her first goal of the year, while the assist is also the first for Peterson.

"I think we really went out there with confidence," Robishaw said of the match. "We have been grinding for a while and trying to get the ball into the back of the net, and I think that once one goal came, they just kept flowing. I'm really proud of everyone's effort tonight, because this win was a team effort."

The Illini continued their gritty play after the halftime break, working to deny Michigan's scoring attempts. The Wolverines fired eight shots in the second half, but were unable to convert.  Senior Goalkeeper Claire Wheatley grabbed eight saves for the Illini as she earned her sixth start of the year. Murray and D'Addario were also credited with saves in the match as the two each denied a Michigan shot from just in front of the goal line during the second half.  

Prior to the match, Illinois recognized former Illini Laura Redmond (2002-05) as the game's honorary captain and announced the development of the Laura Redmond Ramirez Legacy and Inspiration Award. The award will be given annually to an Illini player who exhibits the traits that Laura developed and demonstrated during her time at Illinois, courage, resiliency and fortitude, and the traits that she continues to exhibit during her battle with Leukemia.  

"Tonight was about the legacy of a player that this team really looks up to and respects," Rayfield said. "And I think tonight was a moment for our team and our seniors to make a statement about what kind of legacy they want to leave. I think they started the game with that in mind and it really gave them the confidence to go after it."

Illinois is back in action on Sunday, hosting Michigan State in a 1 p.m. match. The game will mark Illinois' celebration of the 20^th season of the soccer program, and the first 300 fans to arrive will receive a commemorative pennant.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois soccer.

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