Nov. 4, 2005

Box Score

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Illinois was bitten by the upset bug in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal as the fourth-seeded Illini fell 2-1 to No. 8-seeded and host Michigan in front of 1,018 fans at U-M Soccer Field. Eva Strickland scored the Illini's only goal in the 25th minute, but Michigan scored two unanswered to advance to Sunday's final against seventh-seeded Wisconsin.

Illinois got on the board first when Eva Strickland (Seattle, Wash.) netted her fifth goal of the season on a header from 14 yards after forward Jessica Bayne (Troy, Ill.) sent a pass into the box at 24:12. But Michigan responded a little over five minutes later when Stephanie Boyles served a free kick through the Illini defense to Melissa Dobbyn, who punched in her 12th season goal after beating Illinois keeper Rachel Frank from six yards in the 30th minute, tying the game 1-1 at halftime.

Illinois (11-6-3) had a great opportunity in the 51st minute when Eva Strickland's shot from 22 yards after a corner kick curved and appeared headed directly for Bayne's head, but it sailed just over and out of bounds.

The Wolverines (9-8-3) took the lead in the 58th minute when Judy Coffman's free kick from 30 yards soared into the goal over Frank's head for a 2-1 Michigan lead.

"Both goals were frustrating because they both came off restarts," Rayfield said. "Michigan didn't break us down, they just got restarts and made something happen off them."

Michigan continued to thwart each potential scoring opportunity for the Illini, as the Wolverine defensive was keyed by centerback Skylar Andrews. Andrews consistently cleared crosses from the middle of the penalty box, keeping Illinois from taking advantage of repeated runs into the attacking third. The Illini even switched to four forwards late in the game and replaced Frank with Kimberly Coninx, usually a midfielder, in goal, but could not convert. The best chance late in the game came in the 89th minute, but three shots from the top of the box were blocked as Michigan avoided another threat.

Illinois now must wait for the NCAA brackets to see where it will go to continue the season. The selection show will be aired live on ESPNews at approximately 3 p.m. (CST) on Monday, Nov. 7.

"Now this segment's over," Rayfield said. "We just have to learn from it and put it behind us. We're going to be a team that has to fight to score goals. We just have to continue that fight, get better off restarts and keep going."