Oct. 20, 2006

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - No. 17 Purdue was the fourth ranked opponent to step onto the field at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium this season, and thanks to goals by Jackie Santacaterina and Ella Masar and some spectacular defense, the Boilermakers became the fourth ranked team to lose on the Illini's home field. Illinois posted a 2-0 win thanks to 23 shots, 14 on goal, and a defensive effort that held Purdue to just three shots on frame. The win vaults Illinois into sole possession of second place in the Big Ten standings, thanks to an Iowa win over Indiana in double-overtime.

"Tonight we saw the defensive effort that we need to see day in and day out," Illinois coach Janet Rayfield said. "We scored a couple of great goals, but if we play with this kind of consistent defensive effort, it makes it a whole different game."

In the first half, the Illinois (10-6-0 overall, 6-2-0 in the Big Ten) offense seemed somewhat content to take what the Boiler (12-4-2, 5-3-0) defense would allow, firing a number shots from near the top of the 18-yard box. However, the Illini defense was especially stout, allowing just one shot on frame in the period and committing just two fouls.

"The first half they almost invited us to shoot from outside because they have such strong faith in (goalkeeper) Lauren Mason," Rayfield said. "We knew we needed to get in the box if we were going to score, so we had services to the box and put balls in behind their defense. Service goals are usually the types of goals you score on good goalkeepers."

That was exactly the case in the second half, and the Illini didn't waste any time as freshman Jackie Santacaterina punched in a goal from four yards just 55 seconds after halftime. Mary Therese McDonnell served the ball toward the right post, where Courtney Bell chipped it back across the goal mouth onto Santacaterina's foot for her first career goal and a 1-0 Illinois lead.

"We missed a couple opportunities in the first half and came out looking to make sure we finished them in the second half," Santacaterina said. "We made sure we framed the goal and put the ball on target."

The Illini then seemed to turn up the intensity on defense, especially on the back line. Emily Zurrer played an excellent match, repeatedly poking away balls from Boiler attackers and stifling runs into the box with her agility and quick feet. Freshman Brittany Garrett, who started at right back in place of the injured Jessica Levitt, was solid on the flank, and center back Kara Gostisha had a nose for balls in the air.

Purdue managed just four shots in the second half, two on goal, and none were extremely dangerous. With just over five minutes left, Marti Desjarlais served a ball into the box for Ella Masar, who flicked it far post past a diving Mason to the left side of the goal at 84:24, giving Illinois its final 2-0 margin.

For the match, Illinois out-shot the Boilers 23-12, 14-3 on frame. The Illini out-cornered Purdue 8-5 with a 3-0 edge in the second half. Six Illinois players had at least two shots and 13 different Illini took a shot against the Boilers, compared to only four different Boilers attempting a shot.

Up Next: The Illini finish the home season against No. 21 Indiana Sunday at 1 p.m. The Hoosiers dropped a heartbreaker to Iowa on Friday, losing 1-0 in double-overtime when the Hawkeyes scored the golden goal in the 105th minute. Indiana now stands two points behind the Illini in the Big Ten standings with a 5-2-1 conference record, 9-4-4 overall.