No. 19 Georgia Opens Season with Scoreless Tie at Illinois

Thursday, August 13

Champaign, Ill.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Illinois

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Georgia	0	0	0
Illinois	0	0	0

No. 19 Georgia Opens Season with Scoreless Tie at Illinois

August 13, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ATHENS, Ga. – The 19^th-ranked University of Georgia soccer team opened its 32^nd season of competition with a scoreless tie at Illinois Thursday evening before 758 spectators at Demirjian Park. Thursday's result marked Georgia's second scoreless draw in a season opener in three seasons, following a 0-0 result against Pitt in 2024.

Fast Facts

Georgia (0-0-1) outshot Illinois (0-0-1), 10-9, with four shots on frame. Sophomore Hannah Folliard tallied three saves in the tie, with all but one of the match's seven combined shots on goal coming in the opening 36 minutes of play.
Senior Gabbi Ceballos led the Bulldogs with three shots in her Georgia debut, while sophomore Lily Kate Elphick also pitched in with two.
Georgia's first strong look at a goal came in the 62^nd minute as senior Emma Pettersen's shot was barely flicked away by Fighting Illini keeper Izzy Lee. Freshman Maya Woolforde had another solid chance in the 80^th minute on a breakaway, but her shot rolled just left of the post.
The Bulldogs were more aggressive in the second half, outshooting the Illini by a 6-3 margin. Both teams were also active in the box, with each earning six corner kicks.
Five Bulldogs made their collegiate debuts Thursday, including starter Grayson Rogers and reserves Mona Childs, London Crawford, Lilly Osifodunrin, and Maya Woolforde. Transfers Ceballos, Pettersen, Honoka Hamano, and Kieryn Jeter also made their first official appearances in a Georgia uniform, while fifth year Sage Glover returned from a leg injury that cut her season short last year.
Along with Folliard in goal, Ceballos and sophomore defender Maddy Herniter posted a full 90 minutes on the field.

Up Next
No. 19 Georgia remains in Big Ten country as it travels north to face Minnesota on Sunday, Aug. 16. The match will kick off at 1 p.m. EDT and stream live to subscribers on B1G+.