CHAMPAIGN — Illinois' 2018 soccer schedule will pit the Illini against eight teams ranked in the final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 last season — including two in their first two matches — after the full slate was unveiled Wednesday.
Illinois will open its season against North Carolina on Aug. 16 in Durham, N.C., before facing Duke on its home field on Aug. 19. The perennial power Tar Heels finished the 2017 season ranked eighth nationally, while the Blue Devils were third after making the College Cup.
"Our nonconference schedule is a blend of in-state rivalries that will position us within our region and some of the toughest out-of-region competition we could put together with North Carolina, Duke and Oklahoma State," said Illinois coach Janet Rayfield, who will coach her 16th season in Champaign.