Nov. 12, 2000

STATE COLLEGE, PA. - The most successful Illinois soccer season ended Sunday in State College, Pa. The Illini, which posted a school-record 14 wins fell to a familiar foe as Penn State downed the Illinois 1-0 in overtime in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That marked the second time nine days that the two schools have dueled to extra time. Penn State defeated Illinois 2-1 in 30T in Champaign during the Big Ten semifinals.

Besides the 14 wins, the Illini set school records for Big Ten wins (6), shutouts (10), and fewest goals allowed (27). Penn State coach Patrick Farmer, who has been with the school since it began soccer seven years ago, said, "I was talking it over with my assistants and I think Illinois is farther along after four years than we were." Penn State went to the Final Four in year six.

Afterward Farmer had glowing comments for the Illinois program "They open the field more than any other team we've faced," Farmer said. "More than UConn, more than North Carolina. They pose some system problems against us."

Penn State has defeated Illinois in all seven meetings, but five of those games have been by one goal and three have been decided in the final two minutes.

The Nittany Lions led the Illini in total shots, 25-8, but Illinois had its chances. Twice Emily Brown got behind the Penn State defense and had the angle on Penn State goalkeeper Emily Oleksiuk, but the crossing shots were just wide. Brown had three of the eight Illinois shots.

Penn State had the majority of the opportunities in the first half, but the Illini did have two significant runs. Laura Freeman fed a sprinting Emily Brown for a 20-foot shot that sailed just high of the goal. Lindsay Johnson playing her first match in over a week served the ball just over the Illinois front line later in the half, but no one could catch up to it.

The Nittany Lions had their first half chances off corner kicks. Erin Cochran took a corner from Christie Welsh with under five minutes to play in the half. Cochran's shot hit the crossbar. Earlier Penn State's Johanna Lohman hit the post off a corner cross from Jeannine Verdrager. The Lions led 12-3 in total shots and 4-2 in shots goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Joanna Lohman led Penn State in shots with five. Stephanie Smith added four. Penn State's best chance in the second half came in the half's first minute. Shari Picket fired a shot that hit the post, then the Lions' Christie Welsh followed with a rebound that Illinois goalkeeper Sarah Anderson came up with the save.

Later in the half, Anderson collided with Penn State's Kris Phillips on a PSU serve. Anderson made the save, but was down for about five minutes. She stayed in the game, however.

Penn State hasn't scored in the first 80 minutes of its last four games, but has prevailed each time. All-American Christie Welsh played a few more minutes than she had at the Big Ten Tournament, but was still not a 100 percent after suffering a stress fracture a month ago.

Penn State finally scored at 99:03 when Erin Miller fired a shot from 20 yards out that sailed in the upper part of the net over the head of Anderson.

After the game Illinois head coach Tricia Taliaferro was proud of the effort. "This has been a fantastic experience," Taliaferro said. "To play in a do or die environment is going to make us a better team."

Anderson was quick to praise the Illinois defense for its effort. "Our defense stifled a lot of their opportunities, so Penn State couldn't get that many good shots off," Anderson said.

"We had a few chances," said Brown. "We had a few balls slip through."

What was the defining moment for this season? "I think being selected sticks out," Taliaferro said. "To see how excited our players were to be in it is a great memory."

Penn State (21-2-1) advances to the round of 16 and will host Dartmouth next weekend.