TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team travels to face Illinois at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 20 in Demirjian Park at Champaign, Illinois.
The Bearcats will then head back home to host Bowling Green at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 23 at Gettler Stadium.
Cincinnati's match versus Illinois will be broadcast nationally on B1G+.
Cincinnati vs. Illinois Game Notes
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati has faced Illinois twice in its history, with the Fighting Illini holding a 2-0 edge.
The series started in 2002 in Champaign, Ill., resulting in a 3-0 win for Illinois.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati won its season opener, defeating Eastern Kentucky, 3-0, on Wednesday night at Gettler Stadium.
Freshman Braelyn Even opened the scoring in the 20th minute, heading a corner kick from Emma Gioffre into the back of the net for the first goal of her collegiate career. 12 minutes later, junior Tiana Campbell improved UC’s lead, finding the back of the net for her first goal as a Bearcat.
Campbell closed the night scoring with a pass from sophomore Lexi O’Shea from over the head at the 87-minute mark to seal Cincinnati’s 3-0 victory.
Goalie, Amber Brandon, made her Cincinnati debut claiming her first career shutout and recording one save.
Christa Gibbons, Anna Barber, Ally Gilbert, Karson Yon and Gioffre played the full 90 minutes.
In addition, freshman Brooklynn Schomaker made her collegiate debut, playing 71 minutes, while transfers Gilbert and Campbell made their Bearcat debuts.
// RETURNING STRENGTHS
Cincinnati returns five starters from last season, including Anna Barber, who started every match (19), along with Emma Gioffre (18 starts) and Carly Oubs (16 starts). Four of Uc's 12 returners appeared in double-digit games for the Red & Black.
While the Bearcats will miss starting goalkeeper Camryn Miller, they return their main defensive line, featuring Gioffre, Oubs, and Christa Gibbons.
// NEW CATS ON THE BLOCK
The Bearcats welcome six transfers and eight freshman to the 2026 roster. Cincinnati's freshman class includes Molly Kubistek, Joelle Bader, Braelyn Even, Rhegan Coombs, Jade Dubois, Allysia Iaquinto, Brooklynn Schomaker and Vanessa Kaminski-Roth.
Transfers Brylee Borgman (Central Michigan), Vanessa Manoil (Daytona State), Amber Branum (Wright State), Katelyn Jamie (DePaul), Tiana Campbell (Concord) and Ally Gilbert (Rhode Island) also join the Bearcats.
// MILESTONE WATCH
Transfer junior forward Tiana Campbell is three goals away from the 30-goal milestone.
Transfer graduate goalkeeper Brylee Borgman is 30 saves from 100 career saves.
// A WIN WOULD…
Give UC its first win against Illinois.