Georgia Opens Four-Match Homestand with Illinois Thursday

Thursday, September 5

Athens, Ga.

6:30 p.m.

University of Georgia

Illinois

Georgia Opens Four-Match Homestand with Illinois Thursday

September 04, 2024 | Soccer

Match Notes

Georgia (1-2-2, 0-0-0 SEC) vs. Illinois (3-1-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten)
Date: Thursday, Sept. 5
Time: 6:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Stream: SEC Network+ (Jeff Dantler, PxP / Tatum Hodge, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Illinois leads 1-0-0
In Athens: Illinois leads 1-0-0
Last Meeting: Illinois – W, 2-1 (Aug. 5, 2003 – Athens, Ga.)
Current Streak: Illinois, W1
GF / GA: 2 / 1

QUICK KICKS
Incoming Illini
Georgia, ranked 18th in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings, begins a four-match homestand against Big Ten opponent Illinois Thursday at the Turner Soccer Complex. Both teams are looking to rebound from tough losses this past weekend with Georgia falling, 2-0, at UCF, while Illinois suffered its first defeat in a 2-1 result against Kentucky. This is the third SEC opponent this season for the Fighting Illini, following Kentucky and Missouri.

Thursday's match comes on the 21st anniversary of the only previous Georgia-Illinois meeting, a 2-1 Illini victory in Athens. The Bulldogs hold a 6-3-2 all-time record against Big Ten foes, including a win over Iowa in last season's NCAA Second Round. Head coach Keidane McAlpine has faced Illinois coach Janet Rayfield once before in the 2013 NCAA First Round, a scoreless tie in which the Illini advanced, 3-1, on penalties in McAlpine's final match at Washington State.

Ready to Bounce Back
Georgia looks to regain its winning ways following a 2-0 loss Sunday at UCF, only the second shutout of the season for the Bulldogs. After a pair of tremendous saves from junior goalkeeper Jordan Brown, the Knights struck first with a 41st-minute goal off a Bulldog deflection. UCF extended the lead early in the second half and maintained the blank sheet as graduate forward Margie Detrizio's strike hit off the cross bar and did not cross the line for a Georgia goal. Sunday marked Georgia's first road/neutral shutout since a 4-0 loss at South Carolina last season, breaking a streak of seven straight matches.

Dawg Bites

With 17 saves and a tie against No. 1 Florida State last week, Jordan Brown was named to Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of the Week as honorable mention goalkeeper.
Illinois assistant coach Sammy Jo Prudhomme was the starting goalkeeper for Coach McAlpine's 2016 national championship squad at USC.
Senior defender Jessie Dunn eclipsed the 5,000-minute mark with 41 minutes during Sunday's UCF match.
Former Georgia midfielder Sydney Stephens returns to Athens after playing 10 matches for the Bulldogs during her 2020-21 freshman season. The Illini also carry one Peach State native on their roster: freshman goalkeeper Peyton Rhodes from Snellville.
Assistant coach Rade Tanaskovic is away from the team for the next three weeks as he serves on staff for the United States at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia. In his absence, director of recruiting and player development Sammy Towne has been elevated to assistant coach.

Tallahassee Tied
Georgia Soccer made history last Thursday with a 1-1 tie at then-No. 1 Florida State, earning its first-ever result against a top-ranked team, following four previous losses in such matchups. The result was only the second tie for Florida State (3-0-1) in their current 26-match unbeaten streak which began at the start of last season. It was also the fourth result against a No. 1 squad for Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine (three wins, one tie).

Jordan Brown provided a brick wall for Georgia, tallying a career-high 14 saves against 36 Seminole shots, the most allowed in program history. The Las Vegas native nearly matched the program record set by Nicole Williams against Washington in 1999. Graduate forward Tori Penn put the Bulldogs ahead in the 15th minute as she deposited a terrific pass from redshirt sophomore midfielder Summer Denigan (first career assist) for her first goal since Tennessee in the 2022 SEC Tournament.

Up Next
Georgia remains in Athens to face Samford on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. EDT at the Turner Soccer Complex. The 2022 NCAA Tournament rematch will stream live on SEC Network+. Prior to the Georgia-Samford match, Georgia Southern and Washington State will play a neutral match at 3 p.m. EDT at Turner.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotions: The first 500 spectators at the Turner Soccer Complex will receive a Georgia Soccer ball cup, which will be distributed at halftime.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Parking: Due to construction at the Turner Soccer Complex, parking is first-come, first-serve and carpooling is encouraged.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex on the first base side of Jack Turner Stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2024 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.