Oct. 19, 2008

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The No. 25 Illinois soccer team (9-7-0, 3-4-0 Big Ten) dropped another tough road decision to the Indiana Hoosiers (6-10-1, 1-6-1 Big Ten), falling 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Armstrong Stadium. The Illini collected five shots on frame and out-cornered the Hoosiers, 6-0.

"We created enough chances today, but we keep putting ourselves in a position where we have to play perfect defense and we're a better attacking team than that," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Right now we think of ourselves as forwards, and I think it's going to be important going forward that we think of ourselves as goal-scorers. We've said it all along, but we have to finish our chances and it's apparent with a team like Indiana that they don't give any team a whole lot of chances. We've got to do little things differently in our attacking third to create more opportunities and make sure we make the most of the opportunities we do get."

Illinois began to wear down the Indiana defense late in the first half, getting two solid opportunities thanks to sophomore defender Danielle Kot. Kot struck a deep shot and the ball took a high bounce before Indiana goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell punched the ball over the net, resulting in an Illini corner kick. Junior midfielder Courtney Bell took the corner and Kot fired another shot, but the ball ricocheted off the left post as the first half ended in a scoreless draw.

"We put (Kot) in a couple different positions and the space opened a couple of times for her to get forward," Rayfield said. "She took advantage of the space the game provided her and she was able to get in on the attack today and that was a positive."

The Illini had another pair of opportunities early in the second half, as Kot and Bell each forced Campbell to make a diving stop to preserve the tie. The Hoosiers broke up the tie in the 83rd minute when midfielder Carly Samp took a through ball and put it in the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.

Overall, Illinois out-shot Indiana, 9-7, giving the Illini a 30-19 shot advantage over its opponents through the last three games. Goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka tallied two saves.

The Orange and Blue return home for the final three matches of the regular season. Illinois will host Penn State on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. before hosting Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. The Illini conclude the regular season at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. against Purdue. The match on Halloween night will air live on the Big Ten Network.