Sept. 1, 2002
Final Stats
On Sunday, the 23rd ranked University of Illinois women's soccer team lost its second consecutive close game in the Nike Tiger Invitational, this time to the Kentucky Wildcats 1-0.
Kentucky's Elizabeth Ramsey scored on a breakaway with just 4:16 remaining to give the Wildcats the lead. Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia came out to challenge Ramsey who was able to slide the shot just past Alcia's reach. The Illini were unable to mount serious scoring threat for the remainder of the game and were sent home by another late goal. The loss to Kentucky, coupled with the 2-1 double overtime loss to Missouri on Friday, drops the Illini to 0-2-0 on the season.
"We are disappointed to start the season this way, especially giving up goals late in both games," said Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield. "We can't accept that!"
The Wildcats out-shot the Illini 17-10, but the orange and blue defense was able to keep the score deadlocked for most of the game. Leisha Alcia was fantastic in the goal once again racking up eight saves, many of the spectacular variety. "Leisha may have had the best collegiate goal keeping weekend I have ever seen," said Rayfield. "Our defense made strides of improvement from Friday to Sunday and they will continue to get better."
The defense may have been solid for the Illini on Sunday, but the offense really struggled as only three of 10 Illinois shots were on goal. "The biggest concern for us from this weekend was our lack of offensive opportunities," Rayfield said. "We have to be more threatening. Individually and collectively we need to go forward with a commitment to score goals. We did not see that this weekend, especially not today against Kentucky."
Illini Notes: The Illini were without the services of co-captain and 2001 team MVP Tara Schuling for Sunday's game. Schuling received a red card in Friday's overtime loss to Missouri. NCAA rules state that any player who receives a red card must sit out the next team game...Co-captain Rebecca Johnson also sat out Sunday's game because of an abdominal injury...Illinois forward Emily Brown returned to action on Sunday after missing all of the 2001 season. She saw limited action in both halves.
Up Next: The Illini will open up their home schedule against Butler on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. and Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. Both games will be at Illini Soccer Stadium.
