CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer improved to 2-0-0 on the season Sunday (Aug. 21), with a 1-0 victory over Illinois State. Senior Allison Stucky netted the game-winner for the Illini in the first half of play. Senior goalkeeper Michelle Denley also came up big for the Orange and Blue, denying a Redbird penalty kick attempt in the second half of the match.

"I thought today it was great because our defense got tested, and that's going to happen a lot," head coachJanet Rayfield said. "There were certainly things we could do better, but we had two freshmen back there that were dealing with some pressure and did a pretty good job of dealing with that. Today is going to make us better. We saw a good Illinois State team."

The Illini once again put the pressure on right from the start, putting two shots on goal within the first 10 minutes of play. Both came from junior Kara Marbury, who finished with three shots overall.  Illinois held the Redbirds without a shot for the first 18 minutes of the game, before taking a 1-0 lead in the 31^st minute of play. Senior Allison Stucky took advantage of a long cross from Hope D'Addario, placing it just past the Illinois State goalkeeper. The goal marks the eighth of her career and her first this season. D'Addario has tallied two assists this year as she dished one on Friday, Aug. 19, against Morehead State.

ISU picked it up a notch in the second half, firing nine shots to Illinois' seven. The Redbirds were awarded a penalty kick midway through the second half, but Denley picked up the save helping the Orange and Blue to regain possession. Denley grabbed 10 saves in the match, setting a new career high. She now owns a 2-0-0 record on the season, shutting out both Illini opponents this weekend.

"Today's game was different than Friday's," Denley said of her weekend in goal. "Friday I was focused more on organization and communication whereas today I had more action. I had to remain focused through the whole game and make sure I was on my toes."

The Illini will head to Missouri this weekend to face both the Missouri Tigers and the Saint Louis Billikens. Illinois will take on Missouri in Columbia, Mo., at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. before facing Saint Louis at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28.  

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

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