Illinois soccer rallies past Northwestern 3-2 at Demirjian Park
Three second-half goals erased a 1-0 halftime deficit; the Illini play at No. 3 Ohio State on Sunday.
CHAMPAIGN - The Illinois women's soccer team beat Northwestern 3-2 Thursday night at Demirjian Park, according to the official box score and an Illinois Athletics release. Illinois is now 5-4-7 overall and 2-4-4 in the Big Ten, and Northwestern is 5-9-3 and 3-6-1.
Northwestern's Liz Cardwell scored in the 17th minute, and the Wildcats led 1-0 at halftime. Kylie Marschall tied it in the 70th minute, heading in a corner kick from Ashley Stellon. Gabriella Garcia-Terrell put Illinois ahead about three minutes later after intercepting a goal kick at the top of the box, the release said. Hedda Ornberg scored on a breakaway in the 83rd minute, and that goal stood as the winner after Camryn Freeman scored for Northwestern in the 87th minute.
Goalkeeper Izzy Lee made three saves, reaching 300 for her Illinois career. The release says she is the second player in program history with 300 saves, behind Leisha Alcia's 368. Illinois outshot Northwestern 11-10.
Illinois plays at No. 3 Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m., then hosts Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m., according to the team's schedule.
Source: Illinois Athletics box score, Illinois vs. Northwestern, Oct. 22, 2026, and release, "Strong Offense Powers Illinois Over Northwestern, 3-2," Oct. 22, 2026.