CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Sophomore Devin Burns’ ninth goal of the season lifted the University of Iowa soccer team to a 1-0 win over Illinois in its regular season finale Wednesday night at the Illinois Soccer Complex.
The Hawkeyes win coupled with Nebraska's loss to Minnesota in double overtime gives Iowa its first Big Ten Tournament berth since 2014. The team ends the regular season with a 9-7-2 record.
Iowa was firing on all cylinders to start the match with Burns finding the back of the net at the 6:47 mark. Senior Karly Stuenkel collected her fourth assist of the season on the goal.
The single goal stood as sophomore Claire Graves made four saves to post her seventh shutout of the season. The seventh shutouts are tied for the third most in a single-season in school history.
Illinois out-shot the Hawkeyes, 10-6, in the game.
KEY HAWKEYE PERFORMER
Burns has been a standout for the Hawkeyes this season, leading the team in goals (nine) and assists (five). The Illinois native is tied for 10th on Iowa’s single-season goals and points list.
QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“I’m proud of our team tonight. No matter what results were going to come from the other games, it was important that we stayed committed to controlling everything within our power versus Illinois. It was important to me that this senior class walked off the field with smiles on their faces and a win. They deserve much credit for the growth our program has seen the last few years in creating a strong culture.
"The girls earned the right to get into the Big Ten Tournament with how they finished the last seven games. This is a difficult conference and this team is growing before our eyes."
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return to action Sunday as the No. 8 seed, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to face top-seeded Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.