Oct. 28, 2007

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Illinois soccer team wrapped up the regular season with a 1-0 win over Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at Old College Field. Senior forward Ella Masar notched her third goal of the weekend, 11th of the season, on an assist from sophomore forward Chichi Nweke. With the weekend sweep, the Illini clinch third place in the Big Ten regular season standings, finishing 11-5-1, 6-3-1 in the conference.

"It was a lot more mentality than sharp, crisp play," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "You can appreciate when the grit of your team is tested on the road and they come through and find a way to win."

Midfield battle dominated most of the match, with neither offense able to get off very many shots. The Illini edged the Spartans (7-10-1, 1-8) with a 7-6 shot advantage in the end, while Michigan State out-cornered Illinois 4-2.

"You gut some out on the road," Rayfield said. "This was one of those matches where we just had to try to stay in it."

After playing to a scoreless tie through the first half, the Illini broke up the stalemate in the 69th minute as Nweke got ahold of the ball and crossed to Masar from the right flank. Masar took a touch near the endline and fired the ball into the back of the net from inside the post to put the Illini up, 1-0. The goal was Masar's sixth game-winner of the season and 12th of her career. She is now one shy of the single-season record for game-winning goals and tied for second in career game-winners.

The Orange and Blue defense produced its 11th shutout of the season, which ranks third in Illinois history for team single-season shutouts. Carstens collected her 10th of the season, which ranks third in the school's record book and is one shy of her single-season high of 11 set in 2006.

"Defensively we gutted it out too," Rayfield said. "There were times we didn't look sharp, but made up for it with a little extra effort and fight."

Because Illinois was without a travel partner this season, the Illini will have next weekend off as other teams in the conference finish the season. Illinois will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, Nov. 8, for the Big Ten Tournament. The No. 3 seed Illini will face the No. 6 seed, to be determined after next weekend's games.