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The Illini women's soccer team opens at 7 p.m. Friday with a No. 17 ranking and its eyes on a seventh straight trip to the NCAA tournament. Staff writer Jeff Huth's five things you need to know about Janet Rayfield's squad heading into its 2009 debut against Illinois State at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium:

1. Poll vaulting

When ranking the nation's most difficult schedules, expect Illinois to receive mention. Ten of the Illini's 19 opponents appeared in the 2008 NCAA tournament, with three advancing to the round of 16 or further. Then there's the coaches' preseason poll. That Top 25 list includes four Illini opponents: No. 4 Portland, No. 5 UCLA, No. 12 Penn State and No. 19 Minnesota. Another Illinois foe, Colorado, received votes. Janet Rayfield, who is beginning her eighth season as coach, has called it "the most challenging schedule we have ever faced," and it should get this team battle-tested for the postseason. In addition, it's sure to have a positive impact on the UI's Rating Percentage Index, always a key factor when NCAA at-large bids are decided.

2. Point taken

The least-productive scoring attack in the 12-year history of Illini soccer didn't prevent a march to the Sweet 16 last season. Illinois finished with an all-time low 1.01 goals per game average – the previous low was 1.47 in 2005 – and was shut out a school-record 10 times. Chichi Nweke had a team-high 18 points and four game-winning goals, but the senior forward needs help. It could come from redshirt junior forward Christina Sahly, who is finally healthy (and had the game's lone goal in an exhibition win against Cincinnati). Also keep an eye on freshman forward Niki Read, who has a U.S. Youth National Team background. The midfield should be a strength although two-time All-Big Ten pick Jackie Santacaterina (broken left foot) is expected to miss at least two weeks.

3. Goals met

Entering the 2008 season, Alexandra Kapicka had appeared in five games in two years at Illinois, never starting. By season's end, the goalkeeper owned the second-best goals-against average (0.80) in Illini history. Her nine shutouts were the fourth most by a UI goalkeeper. In the process, Kapicka not only started all 23 games but played every minute. Such ironman duty won't necessarily be required of the senior this season. Not with the arrival of freshman Steph Panozzo. The native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, has extensive international experience with Canada's youth national program. Last year, she competed in the CONCACAF U20 Women's Championship and the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

4. On defense

There are holes to be filled in the Illini defenders' corps, most notably due to the graduation loss of Canada Olympian Emily Zurrer. The first three-time All-American in UI soccer history anchored Illini defenses that yielded less than a goal per game each of the last two seasons. During her four years on the back line, Illinois racked up 42 shutouts. This unit returns two players who started every game last season: All-Big Ten second-teamer Danielle Kot, a junior, and senior Brittany Garrett. In her search to bolster the four-defender back line, Rayfield has moved junior Laura Knutson from forward and junior Krystin Miller from the midfield. Sophomore Julie Ewing, who started five games last year, also is in the mix.

5. History lesson

Is this the year Illinois becomes Big Ten champion for the first time? If so, the Illini will need to break Penn State's stranglehold on the crown. The Nittany Lions have won the last 11 conference titles, sharing it in 2008 with Minnesota. If Penn State runs its streak to 12, it will tie the all-time Big Ten women's record for consecutive championships held by Michigan swimming and diving (1987-98). In the Big Ten coaches' preseason poll, Rayfield's team was picked to finish third behind the Nittany Lions and Michigan State. Since the inception of Illini soccer in 1997, they have finished as high as second in the Big Ten race twice: in 2003 and 2006.