University of Illinois
#11 OHIO STATE
Bayne, Hurless lead #25 Illini Past #11 Ohio State
October 10, 2003 | Soccer
Oct. 10, 2003
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Champaign, Ill. - The 25th ranked Illinois soccer squad remained atop the Big Ten Standings with a convincing 2-0 victory over #11 Ohio State Friday night at Illinois Soccer Stadium. The Buckeyes hadn't given up more than one goal in a game this season, but the Illini put two on the board in the first 16:13 of the contest and then played outstanding defense the rest of the way to register their sixth consecutive shutout at home. With the win, the Illini (9-2-1, 5-0-1) remain undefeated and in first place in the Big Ten, while establishing a new school mark for most consecutive games without a loss. Illinois is now 7-0-1 in its last eight games; with its last loss coming at #17 Auburn back on Sept. 7. Ohio State fell to 2-2-2 in the conference and 8-2-2 overall with the loss.
"The early goals made a huge difference in the game," said Illinois Head Coach Janet Rayfield. "They (OSU) know we are good defensively, so we kind of backed them against a wall, but it was also important for our confidence. This is a ranked team coming into our house and for us to put two goals away allowed us to relax and play a little bit."
The Orange and Blue came out attacking early and it paid off when freshman Jessica Bayne scored in the 9th minute to give the Illini an early 1-0 lead. Defender Kelly Campbell served the ball over the defense from near midfield and Andrea Ridgeway was there to flick it to Bayne, who beat OSU keeper Staci Sinkway with a shot to the lower right corner of the net. It was Bayne's fifth goal of the season and would prove to be her third game-winner. Campbell and Ridgeway were both credited with assists on the play.
"Kelly played a great long ball," said Bayne, "Dre flicked it on to me and then I went behind the defender and beat the keeper on the far post."
Just eight minutes after Bayne's goal, junior Tara Hurless would add another to give the Illini a two-goal cushion just 16:13 into the contest. This time, Bayne started the play by slicing through the middle of the field and firing a pass though the defense to Hurless, who was then one-on-one with Sinkway. Hurless beat the keeper with a bump to the right and then hammered the ball into the lower right corner of the net. It was Hurless' team leading sixth goal of the season.
"Tara made an amazing run, her run was everything," said Bayne, who assisted on the second score. "I beat a girl, dribbled and played through to her and she beat the keeper."
The Illinois defense was once again outstanding, earning its seventh shutout of the season and its sixth straight at home. The stingy Illini "D" has not given up a goal at Illinois Soccer Field since the season opening loss to Oakland on 8/29. Leisha Alcia had to make only two saves to earn her sixth shutout of the season. One was a diving save in the 70th minute to thwart one of the few OSU scoring chances. Illinois out shot the guests 9-2 in the first half and 13-8 for the game, and held an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. Sinkway, who had allowed only one goal on the season entering the game, gave up both UI scores and made six stops on the evening.
"We know we are going to be stingy defensively," said Rayfield. "We are not going to give up goals, so if we can get two to three goals early, we know we put ourselves in a good position to win the game. The defense is a credit to what our whole team has worked on since January."
Up Next: The first-place Illini (9-2-1, 5-0-1) host archrival and defending Big Ten Champion #14 Penn State (11-2-2, 5-1-0), 4-2 winners over Northwestern Friday night, this Sunday at noon. Wear orange and get in free!
Game SummaryGoals by period 1 2 Final #11 Ohio State 0 0 0 #25 Illinois 2 0 2
SCORING SUMMARY 8:05 ILL Bayne, Jessica (5) Ridgeway, Andrea/Campbell, Kelly 11 serve into box, 10 flick to 9, score lower rt. 16:13 ILL Hurless, Tara (6) Bayne, Jessica 9 pass through D to 16, score on break lower rt.
Shots: Illinois 13, Ohio State 8 SOG: Illinois 8, Ohio State 2 Saves: Ohio State 6 (Sinkway 6), Illinois 2 (Alcia 2)
