Oct. 1, 2000

Illinois entered play Sunday with a chance to move into second place in the Big Ten Conference as they hosted Michigan in women's soccer. Unfortunately for the Illini, the visiting Wolverines had other ideas and handed Illinois its first home setback this year, 4-1.

"I thought we could done a lot of things better," said Illinois Head Coach Tricia Taliaferro. "First, our effort level from the beginning -- not letting down and being able to fight back after a team scores on us. That's mental preparation and I think we can do that."

Illinois (7-4, 3-2 in the Big Ten) played Michigan even for the first 40 minutes, but the game turned late in the first half. With the game tied at 1-1, Michigan's Tammy Mitchell fed teammate Kacy Beitel from the left side who found Carly Williamson in the box for as it turned out the game-winning goal.

Illinois had two key chances to break the 1-1 tie even before Michigan managed to do so. Off a Tara Schuling corner kick, Meghan Kolze got off a shot and Emily Brown the rebound, but Michigan goalkeeper Suzie Grech came up with the save. Later Brown had a shot from just outside the box sail just high.

The Illini kept the pressure in second half, forcing four second-half corner kicks. Tiffani Walker had four shots in the second half, three on goal, but again Grech came through with saves.

"We had some opportunities to make some goals late in the half, but I thought their goalkeeper came up big," Taliaferro said. "Many of those shots I thought were in." A quick Michigan strike spelled defeat for the Illini. Beitel broke free and fired a shot in the upper part of the net at 63:59, making 3-1, then less than two minutes later Erika Kleinholz scored an unassisted goal to firmly put the game away.

To their credit, the Illini answered an early Michigan goal. Meghan Kolze assisted on an Emily Brown goal from point-blank range at 24:37. That came after Michigan (6-4, 5-1) had taken the lead before many of the 548 fans reached their seats. Michele Pesiri took a Stephanie Chavez cross and turned it into a goal at 3:23.

"They have some players that can put the game away for them," said Taliaferro. "Abby Crumpton and Stephanie Chavez are dangerous. We need to take care of the ball, go back to the basics of 1v1 defending, and not allow the shots inside our 18. That's where they were effective. They put the ball away and capitalized on our mistakes." Michigan defeats Illinois in women's soccer

Illinois had a direct free kick and three corner chances in the first half as well. For the match, the Illini out-shot Michigan 19-15, including a 12-9 advantage in shots on goal. The Illini also led in total corner kicks, 7-2.

It doesn't get any easier for Illinois. After facing the Big Ten Tournament champions in Michigan, the Illini must travel to the reigning regular season champion Penn State Friday before meeting Ohio State on Sunday.

"We need to put Michigan behind us and focus on Penn State and Ohio State," said Taliaferro. "Overall, our team play is improving, but we can't let down especially in the Big Ten."