Home Sweet Home: Michigan Blanks Illinois Behind Beall's Seven Saves

Thursday, March 25

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

5-2-2, 5-2-2

Illinois

5-4-1, 4-4-1

Illinois

Michigan

Hillary Beall (Michigan Photography)

Home Sweet Home: Michigan Blanks Illinois Behind Beall's Seven Saves

3/25/2021 5:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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By: Megan McIntosh

» Michigan earned a win at U-M Soccer Stadium, its first game at the stadium in 496 days.
» The Wolverines notched their fourth shutout of the season behind seven saves from Hillary Beall.
» Nicki Hernandez scored her second game-winner of the season.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 2, Illinois 0
Record: Michigan (5-2-2, 5-2-2 B1G), Illinois (4-4-1, 4-4-1 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 27 -- Indiana (U-M Soccer Stadium), 3 p.m. (TV: Big Ten Network)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of women's soccer team earned its fourth shutout of the season, defeating Illinois, 2-0, Thursday afternoon (March 25) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The game at U-M Soccer Stadium was the first for the Wolverines in 496 days as it played its first three home games indoors this season.

Senior Nicki Hernandez netted her second game-winner of the season, scoring in the first half, while Skylar Anderson scored her second career goal to give Michigan the security goal in the second half of play. The Wolverines outshot Illinois, 18-14, with both teams putting seven shots on frame. Senior Sarah Stratigakis also had two points on the day, assisting on both goals for the Wolverines.

Senior goalkeeper Hillary Beall earned the win in net with seven saves, making three straight in the second half to keep the shutout intact.

Hernandez had her first opportunity in the 15th minute, ripping the ball off the post, but capitalized on a second shot three minutes later when she made a move around her defender and took a shot just outside the 18-yard box that rolled into the far right corner to give the Maize and Blue the 1-0 lead.

U-M looked to extend its lead but was called offside in the 21st minute of the match, and the score remained 1-0 going into the halftime break.

The Wolverines again had some good chances early in the second half, with Sammi Woods and Raleigh Loughman both taking shots that went just wide of the post. Illinois' chances came in the 62nd minute when it was able to test Beall three times, but the veteran keeper made a diving save and scooped up the ball twice before Anderson fired the security goal in the 80th minute for the Maize and Blue.

Michigan will be back in action Sunday (March 28) when it hosts Indiana at 3 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium. The match is set to be aired on Big Ten Network.