University of Illinois
Penn St
Penn State Offense Too Much For Illini
October 10, 1999 | Soccer
Oct. 10, 1999
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
High hopes abounded for the Illinois soccer fans heading in Sunday?s match with Penn State. The Illini were coming off a convincing 5-2 victory over Ohio State on Friday, and had played Sunday?s foe, Penn State, close in three previous career meetings, leading the Nittnay Lions 2-1 until late in the match in Champaign a year ago.
However, thanks to some quick play up front and impressive goaltending from the visiting Nittnay Lions, those hopes were quickly dashed as fifth-ranked Penn State (10-2-1, 6-0-1 in the Big Ten) downed Illinois, 4-1, before 488 faithful fans.
Illinois didn?t have an answer for Penn State freshman sensation Christie Welsh nor senior Courtney Lawson. Welsh beat Illini defenders time and time again to help the Lions build a mesmerizing 4-0 halftime lead.
?They know how to create their opportunities and play the ball well in the air.? Taliaferro said. ?We let them get the deep balls behind us, and Christie Welsh showed why she is one of the best forwards in the country.?
Welsh?s explosiveness resulted in an early goal past Illini?s goaltender Sarah Heggen at the 7:31 mark. Much the same way Illinois had handed Ohio State two nights before, Penn State?s attacking offense scored quickly. Lawson netted the next Lion goal off a penalty kick at the 20:21 mark, then Welsh took a serve from defender Gillian Samuel and deposited it into the back of the net, making it quickly 3-0 just 1:19 later. Samuel again assisted on the fourth and final Penn State goal, which was scored by midfielder Erin Miller at 40:15.
Although the score seemed convincing, Illinois controlled the ball much of the game, out-shooting Penn State 16-13 for the game and 8-3 in the second half. The Illini also had 9 cornerk kicks to Penn State?s 4. That?s when the play of one of the top keepers in the game came in handy. Twice shots from Illinois? Lisa Baldwin seemed headed for the upper part of the net, but Penn State sophomore Emily Oleksiuk (8 saves) deflected both over the net. Oleksiuk also made some nice plays off crossing shots.
?This game was important for us because even though the score may not indicate it, we played right with one of the best teams in the country,? added Taliaferro. ?We need to learn how to finish on our opportunities and play like we did in the second half for the full 90 minutes.?
Illinois continued the pressure in the second half, until finally Emily Brown scored off a direct kick and an assist from Kelly Buszkiewicz at the 81:02 mark of the match. Earlier in the half, Brown had a shot deflected wide.
?The difference in second half was our overall effort,? said Taliaferro. ?We didn?t make any changes tactically.?
Taliaferro noted the progress of midfielder Hollie Schurr and her strong effort on the day. ?Hollie has made a lot of strides this year,? said the coach. ?She served up some great balls in the midfield today.?
Illinois falls to 9-4-1 and 3-3-1 in the Big Ten. This was the first Illinois loss that wasn?t in overtime. The Illini take to the road again next weekend for games at Indiana (Friday) and Purdue (Sunday).
