Sept. 15, 2000

Box Score

Madison, Wis. - Illinois followed the same pattern as it had in its previous five soccer games, get the ball into the zone and fire shots. Unfortunately for the second time this year, the Illini held a considerable advantage in shots, but lost the match. Behind the power of two first half goals, Wisconsin edges the Illinois (4-2, 0-1 in the Big Ten), 2-1, in Madison

The Big Ten opener marked a reversal of fortunes from a year ago when the Illini dominated Wisconsin, 3-1 in the opening Big Ten weekend of the season. Junior AnneMarie Hennes started her first conference game of her career for Illinois and played all 90 minutes. Hennes posted two saves.

Wisconsin (5-1, 1-0) took advantage of six corner kicks, posting both of its goals off the corner. Lauren Schmidt took advantage of the first opportunity by scoring on a Natalie Roedler corner at the 11:57. Just before the end of the half, Roedler fed Allison Wagner off another corner, making it 2-0.

Illinois refocused and dominated the second halt, firing 13 shots to the Badgers' four. Freshman Jennifer Smith, who had three assists in her first three Illini matches and ranked tenth in that department in the nation, scored her first collegiate goal , putting one in the net on a rebound and an assist from Emily Brown at 71:24. Two other freshmen, Colleen Joyce and Tiffani Walker led the team with three shots, and Illinois out-shot Wisconsin, 17-10 for the match.

The Illini meet Minnesota Sunday in Minneapolis.