Sept. 1, 2000

Syracuse, N.Y. -

You've seen it happen in the NHL Playoffs. A hot goalkeeper can make all the difference. Friday, Illinois fell victim to that in women's soccer. Despite out-shooting Syracuse 22-7, the Illini suffered their first loss of the season, 3-0 to the hands of the Orangewomen.

Illinois came out firing with nine first-half shots, three by junior forward Lisa Baldwin. Syracuse, in just its second shot attempt, got on the board first with a goal by Nina Schalzo at 40:50.

That momentum carried into the second half where reserve forward Jen Mena notched a goal just 4:29 into the second half.

The Illini kept plugging away with numerous chances, out-shooting Syracuse 13-4 in the second half. Freshman Colleen Joyce even had a penalty kicked saved by Syracuse's Katie Karlander. The sophomore Karlander accounted for 12 saves, many of them in dramatic fashion in shutting down a potent Illinois offense, which has out-shot its opponents 72-19 in the first three games of the season.

"We executed really well tonight, we just couldn't finish," said Illinois Head Coach Tricia Taliaferro. "That will be a major emphasis in practice this week."

Shots came from every angle and by nine different starters. Baldwin led the parade with a game-high five shots. Meghan Kolze, Emily Brown, and Joyce had three shots apiece for Illinois.

"I really have to compliment their goalkeeper," added Taliaferro. "She was their MVP tonight. I give our team a lot of credit, though. We played hard to the end."

Scalzo notched an unassisted goal in the 63rd minute for Syracuse (1-2), who defeated Ohio State, 3-2, in overtime in its last outing.

Illinois (2-1) returns to action on Friday, Sept. 8, hosting Evansville.