CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois soccer (6-6-6, 2-4-1) narrowly dropped its home contest to No. 19 USC (10-1-2, 6-0-1), 3-2, tonight at Demirjian Park.
The Trojans would take a 3-0 lead in the 73rd minute, but two goals in 5:01 from the Illini cut the lead to one with 12 minutes to play. The Orange and Blue, however, were unable to find the equalizer.
Illinois controlled the early run of play, but the visitors would strike first in the ninth minute following a well-worked team move.
The Illini came close to leveling the match in the 25th minute when Mya Archibald played Lia Howard in on goal, but the forward’s shot was well saved by the Trojan keeper.
Sarah Foley had a half chance in the 29th minute when the ball fell to her following a set piece, but her shot could only find the keeper.
USC came close to doubling its tally in the 35th minute, but Izzy Lee would make her first save of the match, diving low to her right to make the stop.
The Trojans were able to see out the rest of the half, taking their 1-0 lead into the break.
It took the visitors just 19 seconds into the second half to make it 2-0, after a USC attacker was first to a loose ball following a blocked shot by an Illinois defender.
The Trojans would make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute, seemingly putting the Illini out of reach.
Just seconds after the restart, some good pressing by Foley and Howard put the USC keeper under duress and forced a misplayed pass with the keeper well off their line. The ball fell to Berschel, who lobbed the ball into the net from 25 yards out to make it 3-1.
Bolstered by the goal, the Illini would win a corner following some sustained pressure in the attacking third in the 77th minute. Angie Galo played the corner short to Lauren Seppi at the top of the penalty area, and the freshman curled her shot into the top right corner of the goal, making it 3-2.
Despite the late rally, Illinois was unable to come up with an equalizer, ultimately falling 3-2.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Sunday, when they welcome UCLA to Demirjian Park. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
