Oct. 20, 2000

Box Score

Iowa City, Iowa - Having already clinched its best Big Ten regular season in program, history, Illinois took to the road Friday trying to clinch a tie for second place in the conference. Instead, the red-hot Iowa Hawkeyes took it to the Illini to the tune of 5-1 in the Big Ten regular season finale. The Illini are now 10-6 overall, 6-4 and in fourth place in the conference. Iowa (11-6, 5-5) won its third straight Big Ten match.

Illinois dominated the first half statistically, out-shooting the hosts, 13-4, and holding commanding 8-1advantage in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the domination followed a stunning opening minute goal by First Team All-Big Ten performer Sarah Lynch. The sophomore sent a pop up from 17 yards over the head of Illinois goalkeeper Sarah Anderson just 41 seconds into the match.

The Illini couldn't take advantage of the corner chances, as Iowa was tough defensively in the box. Junior defender Heidi Holtzman had Illinois's best opportunity with a shot inside the box following a Tara Schuling corner. Schuling and Lisa Baldwin also had shots that were just wide. Iowa (11-6, 5-5) led 1-0 at the half.

Despite the advantage, Illinois had no answer for Lynch, who started the second half in the same fashion as the first, scoring on a breakaway just 1:20 into the second half. That goal took the wind out of the Illini's sails.

"I think there was some frustration after not scoring on so many opportunities in the first half," said Illinois Head Coach Tricia Taliaferro. "Iowa can score quickly, and we didn't respond to that challenge today."

Although Sue Hodson and Julie Schueller came up with some big plays defensively for Illinois, the Illini levee finally broke at the 66:11 mark. Iowa's Linzy Wolman scored on a penalty kick, the first such goal scored against Illinois this season.

Then one minute later Lynch completed the hat trick with her third goal from 10 yards out. Nine minutes after that the Hawkeyes' Julie Atkocaitis split defenders and scored from 15 yards, making it 5-0.

Illinois added a late goal by Colleen Joyce (her seventh of the year), on a crossing shot from Lindsay Johnson.

The Illini take to regrouping ahead of non-conference games at home against Western Illinois (Friday) and Iowa State (Sunday).

"Our ability to bounce back will say a lot of about this team," Taliaferro said. "This loss doesn't take away from what we accomplished this season. We need to regroup and get ready from two non-conference matches next week."