BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. – Illinois soccer (2-0-0) won their second match of the weekend over Bowling Green (1-1-0), 1-0.
Sydney Stephens netted the game's lone goal in the 55th minute. After receiving the pass from Ashlyn Adams, Stephens dribbled to create some space and then rocketed a shot from the top of the penalty area that went bar down to give Illinois its lead.
The first half saw both teams get plenty of chances in each other's attacking third. Izzy Lee made a pair of key saves in the first half, the first coming in the 32nd minute. She was caught off her line but didn't panic and recovered in time to deny the Falcons chance. A few minutes later BG had another quality chance as the ball was lasered to the lower right side of the net, but Lee dove down to deny the Falcons their best scoring chance of the game. It's Lee's second straight clean sheet of the season and the seventh of her career.
The Fighting Illini kept the game in the Bowling Green defensive end for most of the second half following the goal and held the Falcons without a shot for the final 45 minutes. Cayla Jackson nearly scored a second goal for the Orange and Blue when her header off a set piece from Ashley Stellon was saved at the lower left corner.
Illinois is off for a week before they return to action with their home opener on Monday, Aug. 25, against Boston College at 6 p.m. CT in Demirjian Park.
