Sept. 13, 2009

Final Stats

PORTLAND, Ore. - The #11 Illinois soccer team dropped its second match of the weekend, falling 1-0 to Washington on Sunday in the Nike Portland Invitational at Clive Charles Soccer Complex. The match was tied for over 82 minutes, with Huskies senior Veronica Perez scoring the game-winner in the 83rd.

"In all honesty we made one defensive mistake at the end of the game," Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. "But the bottom line is we weren't dangerous enough. I think we've been dangerous all season long, but this is the point of the season where our opponents know what we're trying to do and our attack has to be more sophisticated. We have to be able to take what the defense gives us. We have some great attacking personalities, but collectively we need to continue to evolve and get better."

Illinois (3-3-1) had its chances throughout the match, with early shots by sophomore Marissa Mykines and junior forward Jordan Hilbrands. Hilbrands had the Illini's first shot on goal from the far right wing in the 36th, forcing Washington keeper Kari Davidson to make a save. Mykines had her own shot on goal in the closing minutes of the first half, but Illinois went into halftime with a 0-0 tie, out-shooting the Huskies 5-4.

Washington (4-2-0) had most of the offensive chances in the second half, owning an 8-2 advantage on shots. The Illini defense was able to keep the Huskies' attack at bay most of the day, as Washington was called offside seven different times.

Perez's goal came from inside the Illini box, as she got by the defense and connected on a through ball by McKenna Waitley. Illinois had another offensive opportunity with a corner kick by Mykines in the 87th, but Jackie Santacaterina's header from inside the box sailed high.

"Our defense played well and did a great job of containing Perez throughout" Rayfield said. "In a game where neither team is finishing opportunities, what you're looking for is to be able to capitalize on one mistake and Washington was able to do that."

Sunday marked the first time the Illini have been shutout all season. Mykines led the team with three shots (two on goal), while Hilbrands had two shots. Washington had 13 fouls to Illinois' eight, while Davidson made three saves to Illinois keeper Alexandra Kapicka's two saves.

Rayfield was especially happy with the play of Mykines, who also scored Illinois' lone goal in the team's loss to Portland on Friday.

"Marissa Mykines was great all weekend long," Rayfield said. "She was our most dangerous player, as she was more or as dangerous as any of our frontrunners."

The Orange and Blue will try to get back on track next weekend, returning to their home Illinois Soccer Stadium for the final two non-conference matches of the season. Illinois hosts Loyola-Chicago at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, then faces Milwaukee at noon on Sunday, Sept. 20.