MEMPHIS, Tenn. – [10] Illinois soccer (13-6-2) dropped its first-round match to [7] Memphis (17-0-3), 2-1, on Saturday night from the Track and Soccer Complex.
Memphis struck first in the 12th minute when forward Ai Kitagawa hit a shot in the top right corner to go up 1-0.
Sydney Stephens buried the equalizer in the 27th minute after Cayla Jackson's pass deflected right off the Tigers keeper and found Stephens standing all alone in front of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
The rest of the half was a battle before 20 seconds left in the half Illinois was called for a hand ball inside the box and Memphis was awarded a penalty kick right before half. The Tigers did not waste the opportunity as the matches first goal scorer, Kitagawa, converted from the spot for her second goal and gave Memphis the eventual 2-1 win.
Goalkeeper Izzy Lee made five saves to increase her program single-season saves record to 123. The Illini were outshot 17-6 (7-4 in shots on goal) and had a large disadvantage in corner kicks, 11-4.
This concludes head coach Katie Hultin's first season in the Orange and Blue. Her team was originally picked to finish 15th in the Big Ten's preseason poll. Not only did they make the 10-team Big Ten tournament they won a match against Ohio State, 1-0, which ultimately aided them to make the program's first NCAA Tournament since 2013.
POSTMATCH PRESS CONFERENCE
