Sept. 22, 2002

Final Stats

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Fighting Illini soccer team continued its road struggles on Sunday, falling 4-1 at Michigan. With the loss, Illinois drops to 3-5 overall, 0-2 in the Big Ten, and 1-5 when playing away from Illini Soccer Field. The fourteenth ranked Wolverines improved to 7-1 on the season.

The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead 13:19 into the game on an Abby Crumpton goal. After intercepting a pass out of the midfield, Amy Sullivant pushed the ball through the Illinois defense to freshman forward Therese Heaton. Heaton drew the lone Illini defender with a run to the left of the goal before sending the ball across the penalty area to a wide-open Crumpton.

Illinois evened the score seven minutes later after Tara Hurless intercepted a Michigan clearance and chipped the ball right out of the reach of Michigan goalkeeper Suzie Grech and into the net. It was Hurless' sixth goal of the season and the 16th of her career, moving the sophomore into fifth place on the Illinois career goals list.

The score did not remain tied for long, however, as Crumpton knocked in her second goal of the day at 21:31. Sullivant bent the ball over the Illini defense and into the run of Crumpton, who slid the game-winning goal past Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia into the left side of the net.

Freshman forward Stephanie Boyles scored to put the Wolverines' up 3-1 in the 26th minute following a combination play between Crumpton and Sullivant.

Michigan junior Stephanie Chavez gave Michigan a three-goal cushion at the 37:32 mark, firing a shot over Alcia from 23 yards out. Neither team would score the rest of the way.

Alcia finished the game with five saves, but her four goals allowed were the most in her two-year career as an Illini. Michigan goalkeeper Suzie Grech stopped four Illinois shots before being relieved by Annie Padrid and then Rebecca Bald.

Both teams were able to get good looks at the goal as eight of 10 Illinois shots and nine of 12 Michigan shots were on goal. However, the Wolverines ability to convert those chances early was the difference in the game.

"We just didn't come ready to play in the first half today," said Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield. "I think Michigan was motivated by what happened last season (Illinois beat the Wolverines 2-1 in overtime twice last year), and really came out fired up. They are a very good team and we couldn't match their pressure or physical mentality early on."

"I think it will be great for us to get back home for these next two weeks," continued Rayfield. "There's a certain comfort level that goes with playing at home, plus we'll be able to get in an extra day of training each week instead of traveling."

Up Next: The Illini return home to face Dayton on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. and Big Ten rival Northwestern on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. The Friday game will be Family Night at Illini Soccer Field; each family receives four admissions, four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $20. For Sunday's clash with Northwestern, all UI students will receive free admission.