For its final game at Bill Armstrong Stadium in the 2024 season, Indiana women’s soccer is set to host Illinois. With eight Big Ten Conference games already in the books and a record of 1-6-1, the Hoosiers have yet to win a game at home since they defeated Lawrence University 9-0 on Sept. 8.
It has been a long season for the Hoosiers as they haven’t seen much success in conference play. However, the Fighting Illini have not had a season to remember either. It sits with a conference record of 2-5-1 and 6-7-2 overall. In their last match, the Fighting Illini lost 3-1 to UCLA.
Indiana enters the game following a winless weekend. Indiana drew in-state rival Purdue 0-0 on Oct. 10, when it only had two shots on goal while Purdue had four shots. Then the Hoosiers hosted Wisconsin on Oct. 12, losing 1-0 without providing much of a response to the Badgers’ early goal.
Indiana still averages 1.93 goals per game with opponents averaging 0.86 goals. However, opponents are catching up to the Hoosiers with 116 shots compared to Indiana’s 196 shots. While the defense has held strong and consistent, the offense has been shut out in multiple matches.
Freshman forward Layla Sirdah leads the team in points with seven goals and six assists on the season. Graduate student defender Avery Snead sits behind her with three goals and two assists. Senior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg has made 39 saves thus far with a 76% save percentage.
Junior forward Sarah Foley leads the Fighting Illini this season with 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Another top contributor is fifth-year senior midfielder Kennedy Berschel, who has 11 points on four goals and three assists. In between the pipes is redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Izzy Lee, who has made 78 saves on the season with a 79% save percentage.
Illinois has allowed 21 goals but also scored 26. It averages 1.73 goals per game with 11.8 shots per game.
Both teams will be seeking a win as the regular season comes to a close next week, and they find themselves sitting toward the bottom of the Big Ten rankings. It will be crucial for the Hoosiers to display the offensive talent they showcased in non-conference games.
Indiana will round out its three-game homestand at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bill Armstrong Stadium with coverage on Big Ten+.
Follow reporters Sam Elster (@samelster1) and Matt Rudella (@mattrudellaIDS) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s soccer season.
