Sunday, November 2
West Lafayette, Ind.
9:30 a.m.
University of Washington
12-2-5, 8-1-2
2
vs
0
Illinois
13-5-2, 5-4-2
1
2
F
Illinois
0
0
0
Washington
2
0
2
Shell, Buck Punch No. 16 Washington’s Ticket To Big Ten Semifinals
November 02, 2025 | Women's Soccer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Top seed Washington scored inside of 10 minutes into Sunday's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal match and never looked back, defeating nine-seed Illinois 2-0 at Folk Field.
With the win, the No. 16 Huskies booked a Semifinal matchup with Wisconsin on Thursday, Nov. 6, at Energizer Park. The Dawgs defeated the Badgers 1-0 in their home finale to clinch the 2025 Big Ten Championship.
It was the one-two punch of Samiah Shell and Alex Buck offensively for the Dawgs, bagging goals early and late in the first half to give UW a lead it would not concede.
Even without the services of captain Kolo Suliafu, the Dawg defense didn't flinch, holding the Fighting Illini to a meager six shots, none threatening keeper Tanner Ijams seriously. Ijams finished the match with three saves, securing her ninth clean sheet of the season.
Washington spent seemingly the entire first half in the attacking end of the field, racking up nine first half shots, six of which were on frame.
Less than eight minutes in, the Huskies broke through. After Kalea Eichenberger dropped a perfectly weighted cross to Shell in the far side of the box, the junior used the deftest of touches with her left to set herself up on the half volley, chipping the keeper with her right boot and finding the far corner of goal.
It was Shell's third goal of the season, first since scoring a brace on Aug. 17 against Idaho.
Buck nearly doubled the lead in the 24th minute, using her speed to break past the back line and forcing Illinois keeper Izzy Lee to palm aside a strong strike from the top center of the 18-yard box.
But the rapid sophomore striker could be held off the scoreboard for only so long, scoring her sixth of the season in the 39th minute to give UW some breathing room heading into the break.
The move started through a 50/50 ball won by Avery Nguyen in the center of the field. Nguyen laid off to Kelsey Branson, who drove forward before releasing Buck on the left side of the 18. From there, the Medina, Washington, native did the rest, rapping a left-footed blast off the far post and into the netting to make it 2-0 Dawgs.
Up a pair, the tireless Husky defense dropped in and locked down the Illini the rest of the way. Illinois was unable to generate a shot until just over 12 minutes remained on the clock and never posed a serious threat to Ijams goal as Washington advanced to the Big Ten Semis for the second time in as many years.
For more information on Husky Women's Soccer, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
With the win, the No. 16 Huskies booked a Semifinal matchup with Wisconsin on Thursday, Nov. 6, at Energizer Park. The Dawgs defeated the Badgers 1-0 in their home finale to clinch the 2025 Big Ten Championship.
It was the one-two punch of Samiah Shell and Alex Buck offensively for the Dawgs, bagging goals early and late in the first half to give UW a lead it would not concede.
Even without the services of captain Kolo Suliafu, the Dawg defense didn't flinch, holding the Fighting Illini to a meager six shots, none threatening keeper Tanner Ijams seriously. Ijams finished the match with three saves, securing her ninth clean sheet of the season.
Washington spent seemingly the entire first half in the attacking end of the field, racking up nine first half shots, six of which were on frame.
Less than eight minutes in, the Huskies broke through. After Kalea Eichenberger dropped a perfectly weighted cross to Shell in the far side of the box, the junior used the deftest of touches with her left to set herself up on the half volley, chipping the keeper with her right boot and finding the far corner of goal.
Samiah's feeling a little chippy early this morning ??
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) November 2, 2025
?? B1G+
?? https://t.co/nEbq2qw3nT pic.twitter.com/bjlSqH2knR
It was Shell's third goal of the season, first since scoring a brace on Aug. 17 against Idaho.
Buck nearly doubled the lead in the 24th minute, using her speed to break past the back line and forcing Illinois keeper Izzy Lee to palm aside a strong strike from the top center of the 18-yard box.
But the rapid sophomore striker could be held off the scoreboard for only so long, scoring her sixth of the season in the 39th minute to give UW some breathing room heading into the break.
The move started through a 50/50 ball won by Avery Nguyen in the center of the field. Nguyen laid off to Kelsey Branson, who drove forward before releasing Buck on the left side of the 18. From there, the Medina, Washington, native did the rest, rapping a left-footed blast off the far post and into the netting to make it 2-0 Dawgs.
Can't place a far post shot better than this!
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) November 2, 2025
?? B1G+
?? https://t.co/nEbq2qw3nT pic.twitter.com/0U971KPEeJ
Up a pair, the tireless Husky defense dropped in and locked down the Illini the rest of the way. Illinois was unable to generate a shot until just over 12 minutes remained on the clock and never posed a serious threat to Ijams goal as Washington advanced to the Big Ten Semis for the second time in as many years.
For more information on Husky Women's Soccer, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
ILL
WAS
Goals
0
2
Shots
6
12
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
5
3
Corners
2
3
Fouls
6
5
Scoring Plays
Samiah Shell (3)
Assisted By: Kalea Eichenberger
GOAL by WAS Shell, Samiah Assist by Eichenberger, Kalea.
07:16
Alex Buck (6)
Assisted By: Kelsey Branson , Avery Nguyen
GOAL by WAS Buck, Alex Assist by Branson, Kelsey and Nguyen, Avery.
38:06
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
D
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