Oct. 31, 1999

DENVER, Colo. - Consistency will be a focus of practice this week as the University of Illinois soccer team prepares for the Big Ten Tournament. For matches and parts of other matches, Illinois has looked like a team that was ranked in the Top 15 nationally part of the year. Other times, the Illini have lost their focus.

That was the case Sunday at Denver, as Illinois built a 2-0 halftime lead, only to see the University of Denver (8-9-1) score two goals in the final 20 minutes of regulation and defeat the Illini, 3-2, in overtime.

"We were on the road and a little tired for sure, but even so we should win when we're up 2-0," said Illinois coach Tricia Taliaferro. "We have a tendency to lose focus and not finish."

Coming off a positive 2-1 overtime win over Colorado College Friday, the Illini scored early on a goal from Emily Brown, her school-record 18th of the season and fourth in her last three matches. Defender Kim Doetzel had the assist.

Senior Kelly Buszkiewicz added a goal at the 27:07 mark off an assist from Brown. The game itself was high-paced and physical with 18 fouls for each side. Denver out-shot Illinois, 22-16. With a two-goal lead the unthinkable happened, first the Pioneer's Kerri Weaver scored unassisted at 79:24, then Molly George took a cross from Kristen Warren for the game tying goal at 82:54.

It didn't take long for the decider as Jessie Nelson redirected a free kick for the game-winner for Denver just 3:04 into overtime. Illinois had a goal disallowed late in regulation due to and offside call.

"The whole team played well in the first half," said Brown. "We lowered our level of play in the second half and let them back in it, unfortunately."

Illinois takes an 11-7-2 record into the Big Ten Tournament this weekend. The Illini meet Iowa in the first round at noon EST Friday in Bloomington, Ind. The semifinals and finals are set for Saturday and Sunday, respectively.