Champaign, Ill. – Senior Nicole Breece scored her first game-winning goal of the season on Sunday, Sept. 27, lifting Illinois over Maryland, 2-1, in a double-overtime contest. Breece's goal came in front of the ninth largest crowd in Illinois history, as UI welcomed 1,152 fans to Illinois Soccer Stadium for this year's SoccerFest. With Sunday's win, Illinois improves to 8-2-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in Big Ten Play.
"I think in a game like today, you have to rely on your leadership and the players on the field to stay confident and focused and not get caught up in the physical battles to the point that it takes them out of the game," head coach Janet Rayfield said of the battle against Maryland on Sunday. "I'm really proud of my team, just for the persistence they showed today. They stayed after it and kept their composure. It was a gritty performance."
The Orange and Blue wasted no time on Sunday, pulling ahead to a 1-0 lead over the Terrapins just eight minutes into the game. Freshman Katie Murray scored her second goal of the season, with the assist coming from Breece. Breece used her trademark flip throw-in from the far side to get the ball to Murray who was waiting at the near post to put it in the back of the net. The assist is Breece's third of the season.
"Breece does her thing with the flip-throw, and my role is to stand in front of the keeper and get any of the knock-downs," Murray said of the game plan today. "That's what I did and it went in. Each goal I score gives me a little more confidence and gets me hungrier for more."
It was a physical battle through the middle of the field as both teams fought to get their shots on frame. The Illini fired five shots before the halftime break, allowing four from the Terrapins.
The physicality continued from both teams after the halftime break. Sophomore Kara Marbury looked to give the Illini a 2-1 advantage early in the second half. In the 53rd minute of play, Marbury fired a shot that just missed the upper right corner of the Maryland goal.Â
Not long after, Maryland got their chance to even the score, making it 1-1 in the 58th minute. The Terps were awarded a penalty kick after an Illini yellow card, and Terrapin sophomore Alex Anthony got past Illini keeper, Claire Wheatley, for the goal.
The two teams fought through the rest of the half, but the score remained locked headed into the second overtime period. Breece would be the one to end the game, in Illinois' favor. With the feed from junior defender, Hope D'Addario, Breece found the back of the net to give Illinois its second win of the weekend.
"Hope played a great ball in, I saw it coming and thought it might be a good chance," Breece said of her goal. "I tried to get something on it, and it went in. Today was a tiring and well-fought game. It felt great to come out on top, we worked really hard for it."
Breece and redshirt senior Jannelle Flaws led the Illini offensively on the day, each recording four shots. Breece put two of hers on goal. Marbury and freshman Patricia George also got two shots off for Illinois, each putting one on goal as well.
Wheatley finished the game with five saves, bringing her weekend tally up to 11 saves overall. Wheatley improves to 2-0 on the weekend and 8-2-1 on the season with Sunday's Illini victory.
The Illini host Ohio State on Oct. 2 before heading up to Michigan State and Michigan on Oct. 8 and Oct. 11.
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest on Illini Soccer.
