Sept. 17, 1999

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -

Those who saw it couldn?t believe it. Illinois scored at the 111:05 of the game in the second sudden death overtime to defeat visiting Minnesota 2-1 in the opening match of the Big Ten.

Kelly Buszkiewicz lined up for a free kick some 30 yards to the right of the goal. The end result was the ball in the top left corner of the net. How did it get there? ?I gave it a little flick,? said Emily Brown, who got just enough of her head on the ball to deflect the shot past Minnesota goaltender Julie Eibensteiner.

?It keeps getting better and better,? said Illini coach Tricia Taliaferro of her team?s gaining momentum and confidence throughout the 1999 season.

The goal capped off a back-and forth-thriller that had players and fans from both teams off their seats. The win itself was significant for the Illini for several reasons. First, it makes Illinois 1-0 in the Big Ten and marks its best seven-match start in school history at 6-1. Second, it protects the club?s No. 21 national ranking, the first time the Illini have ever made the nation?s elite group. Third, it gives Illinois its first win in three tries over Minnesota, one of the contenders for the Big Ten championship. Finally, it establishes momentum prior to Sunday?s home showdown with No. 12 Wisconsin. The Badgers will be trying to rebound from a 4-1 loss to Iowa

?I can?t imagine a more exciting game,? said Brown. ?It feels awesome to be 1-0 in the Big Ten.?

Illinois played the match without its second-leading scorer Lisa Baldwin, who dislocated her knee at practice earlier in the week. The Illini began aggressively as usual, forcing three corner kick chances in the first 3:30 and 6 corners in the first 22 minutes. Junior Sarah Rowland and Brown each had shots just wide of the net. The Illini out-shot the Gophers 6-2 in the first 45 minutes.

?I was a little frustrated we couldn?t capitalize on our chances,? Brown said.

After a scoreless first half, Minnesota not only established the momentum early, but struck with a goal in the first minute of the second half. Sophomore Samantha Myers blasted a shot from 17 yards out to the left of center that just made it into the top of the net past the outstretched arms of the Illini?s Amy Bessette. Minnesota had two other chances thanks to the efforts of junior Laurie Seidl, but neither connected.

Illinois had several opportunities as well, but finally scored when freshman Tara Schuling served up sophomore Lindsay Johnson with the ball. Johnson dribbled through the defenders and shot the ball into the net at 70:17. From there the momentum shifted to Illinois the for the remainder of the second half. Illinois?s best chance in regulation came with just 10 minutes left on a shot by freshman Laura Freeman.

The overtime periods were equally as exciting. Emily Brown?s shot from 20 yards out in front of the net hit the crossbar just five minutes into the extra session. Less than a minute later Minnesota?s Jamie O?Gara fed senior teammate Nicole Lee, whose header was deflected by Bessette. Brown?s attempt at a tough angle from the right side just missed at the five-minute mark, and the Gopher?s Liz Wagner had a shot that just flew over the crossbar before the end of the first overtime.

The dramatic Brown goal in the second OT gives Illinois a 6-2 lifetime record in extra sessions. The win comes one match after a home loss to Missouri in which the Tigers scored 1:56 into overtime.

?We had a certain focus that wasn?t there heading into overtime Sunday,? Taliaferro said. ?Both teams had their chances tonight, but we kept our patience and it paid off in the end. I?m proud of the way this team has come back in the last two matches.?