Congratulations to Illini soccer for opening the 2016-17 athletic calendar on a positive note! The Fighting Illini notched a 2-0 shutout victory over Morehead State on Friday night thanks to goals from seniors Summer Schafer and Alia Abu-Douleh. The Orange and Blue totaled 13 shots on net while allowing only 3 such opportunities for the Eagles. That’s pretty stout defense!
Season opener under the lights for @IlliniSoccer! First official competition of a big year ahead for OUR #ILLINI! pic.twitter.com/2b2UmcGE1M
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) August 20, 2016
The #Illini kick off the 2016 season with a victory! pic.twitter.com/CSnEnaQzJ0
— Illini Soccer (@IlliniSoccer) August 20, 2016
The Illini will host Illinois State on Sunday, August 21 for their second match of the season. Soccer will have the honor (?) of being the only sport in session until volleyball opens on August 26 against Arkansas.
Illinois Fighting Illini Links
- Four-star PF Carte’Are Gordon names Illinois to Top 11 (TCR)
Gordon was a member of USA Basketball’s U-17 World Championship squad, and he’s rated as the No. 63 overall prospect in the nation.
- Lou Henson, Dana Howard visit Fighting Illini training camp (TCR)
Illini football was forced to move practice indoors on Friday due to poor field conditions outside of Memorial Stadium. Luckily, the change of scenery wasn’t enough to prevent a few special guests from stopping by.
- Wes Lunt ready to improve game, NFL Draft stock (Daily Illini)
"Everyone’s goal is to play in the NFL," Lunt said. "I am no different. But I know that there is a long road leading up to it and it all starts when our training camp starts up in August."
- Chase McLaughlin ready to take on Illinois FG duties (STL Post-Dispatch)
"Distance isn’t as important as accuracy," McLaughlin said, "because most kicks are going to be in that 35- to 45-yard range. But on a neutral day (no wind or rain) I feel comfortable I can make a kick in the mid- to high-50s."
- Illinois Golf’s focus is on winning, Chipotle runs (Daily Illini)
Chipotle has been a longtime favorite of the Illini’s, especially for the international players such as Italian sophomore Edoardo Lipparelli and 2016 Belgian grad Thomas Detry.