Wisconsin Badgers
Illinois
Quick Kicks: No 14 Wisconsin opens conference play at Illinois
September 08, 2026 | Women's Soccer
Badgers look to keep three game win streak going
MADISON, Wis.- No. 14 Wisconsin women's soccer team opens conference play on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Illinois. The match is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) and can be streamed on B1G+.Â
Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Fighting Illini:Â
1. A History with Illinois
Wisconsin leads the all-time series against Illinois, 13-11-6. The Badgers have not lost to the Illini in their last 12 meetings, posting a 6-0-6 record over that stretch. Wisconsin's most recent trip to Champaign resulted in a 1-0 victory in the 2023 season.
The teams last met on Sept. 19, 2024, when Wisconsin battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at McClimon Soccer Complex. Erin Connolly scored in the 62nd minute before Maddie Ishaug found the equalizer in the 87th.
2. Know the Fighting Illini
Illinois enters Big Ten play unbeaten at 3-0-3 and riding a two-match winning streak. The Illini opened the season with a scoreless draw against No. 19 Georgia before defeating Cincinnati, 2-1. They followed with draws against UIC and Saint Louis before earning back-to-back road shutouts over Western Michigan and Virginia Tech.
Through six matches, Illinois has allowed just two goals while recording four shutouts. Fifth-year goalkeeper Izzy Lee anchors the defense after earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025. Lee set Illinois' single-season record with 123 saves last season and currently owns the program's career save-percentage record.
Cayla Jackson leads the Illini offense with three goals and an assist through six matches. Jackson is coming off a 2025 campaign in which she led Illinois with seven goals and 17 points and earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors
3. Big Ten Play BeginsÂ
The Badgers were picked fourth in the Big Ten preseason poll, behind Michigan State, UCLA and Washington. Wisconsin has consistently found itself near the top of the Big Ten under head coach Paula Wilkins. The Badgers captured the Big Ten Tournament title in 2014, earned a share of the regular-season championship in 2015 and went 10-0-1 in conference play to claim the 2019 Big Ten title.
The Badgers went 6-3-2 in Big Ten play in 2025 and reached the conference tournament semifinals after defeating Iowa, 3-0, in the quarterfinals. Wisconsin also picked up regular-season ranked wins over Penn State, Iowa and UCLA during the campaign.
Thursday will mark the third time in five seasons Wisconsin has opened Big Ten play on the road. The Badgers earned a 1-1 draw at Nebraska in their 2023 conference opener, while the 2024 and 2025 Big Ten slate began at home.
4. Last Time Out
Wisconsin closed out nonconference play with a dominant 6-2 victory over Central Michigan on Sunday, improving to 4-1-1 and extending its winning streak to three matches. Six different Badgers found the back of the net, with Kiara Gilmore, Jane Rogers and Anya Gulbrandsen scoring in the first half before Hailey Baumann, Margaret Sisk and Grace Dykstra added goals after the break.
Izy Traub recorded three assists in the victory, while Rogers finished with a goal and an assist. Wisconsin controlled the attack with a 25-6 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in shots on goal.
The six-goal performance was Wisconsin's highest-scoring match since its 6-0 victory over Hofstra in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
5. Follow the Badgers
Stay connected with Wisconsin women's soccer throughout the 2026 season by following the Badgers on Instagram and X at @BadgerWSoccer and on Facebook at Wisconsin Women's Soccer. Fans can also visit UWBadgers.com for the latest news, schedules, results, statistics and more.
