CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini senior Summer Schaferscored her second game-winning goal of the season on Sunday, Sept. 11, lifting the Illini over Evansville, 1-0. With the victory, Illinois improves to 3-5-0 this season, while the Purple Aces fall to 1-6-1. Senior goalkeeper Michelle Denley picked up three saves in the match, improving her record to 3-2-0 this year.  

"It's great to be on this side of the equation today," head coach Janet Rayfield said of the win.  "We still want to score more goals, but we're playing some great soccer. I think as we started the second half today, and made all the right decisions in that one moment, that the goal was right there for us. We just have to do more of that and get all of the pieces of the puzzle right. It's great to get this win and to end our non-conference slate with a victory and now we have to wipe all of that clean and start fresh for Big Ten play."

With a scoreless game at halftime, the Illini had fired six shots to Evansville's three, but the Purple Aces had put two of their chances on frame. Schafer didn't leave the game scoreless for long after the halftime break as she netted her game-winner in the 46^th minute. Sophomore Patricia George and senior Alia Abu-Douleh connected to get Schafer the ball from the left flank and take the lead over the Purple Aces. The assist marks the first for Abu-Douleh this season and the second for George.  

Illinois was dominant in the second half, taking 12 shots and holding Evansville to just two.

Freshman Kelly Maday earned her first career start for the Illini on Sunday, and junior Olivia Schmitt made her first career appearance. Schmitt posted a shot in the first half that finished just wide of the net, and earned 18 minutes on the field. 

"You always have to amp things up when you get into Big Ten season," Rayfield said of closing the non-conference slate on Sunday. "We're going to have to compete one game, one half, at a time. The goal scoring and finishing our opportunities is going to be the biggest thing we need to work on. We will have to do some tactical things in the back and make sure we're ready to handle the dynamic attacks that we'll see in the Big Ten."  

The Illini will open Big Ten play on Thursday, Sept. 15, hosting Purdue in a 7 p.m. match. Sunday, Sept. 18 will mark Soktoberfest, this year's premier promotion. The first 500 fans to arrive at Illinois' 1 p.m. match versus Indiana will receive a rally towel, and the first 100 fans will receive a voucher for a free pretzel or brat and drink. Pregame activities will include inflatables, carnival games, a caricature artist and more.

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest on Illinois soccer.

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