Oct. 10, 2001

EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a non-conference loss in the last game of September, the month of October begins the rest of the Big Ten season for the Fighting Illini women's soccer team. The Illini started on the right foot by shutting out Northwestern, 1-0, at an overcast Lakeside Field in Evanston. The Illini now stand at 5-4, 3-1 in Big Ten play.

"I was very pleased overall with our performance today," head coach Tricia Taliaferro said. "We did the things we were working on in practice this week. We created chances and finished on the chances we had. Their keeper did a fine job and we were able to capitalize on a mistake. We played better than last week."

Illinois ended the first half on the attack, forcing the NU goalkeeper to make some tough saves. They continued with guns blazing, outshooting the Wildcats, 6-1, in the second half.

The Illini finally scored in the 59:11 minute when freshman Tara Hurless put in her second goal of the season. Hurless was able to get behind the Northwestern defense and took the ball in along the left side to score the game winning goal.

The UI defense held tight, keeping the corner kicks even at five, while allowing freshman goalkeeper Leisha Alcia to record her second career shutout. Alcia did not have to make a save throughout the contest.

The Illini finish the weekend road trip in Wisconsin to face the Badgers in a Sunday afternoon contest, scheduled for noon.