Oct. 24, 2008

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois soccer team (9-8-0, 3-5-0 Big Ten) suffered a 2-0 defeat to No. 21 Penn State (12-6-0, 7-1-0 Big Ten) on Friday night at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium. After an hour delay due to lightning in the area, the two teams matched each other's intensity through a scoreless first half before the Nittany Lions posted two second-half goals to clinch the victory.

"The one stat that was the difference in the game for us was having nine shots in the first half and only one on frame," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "I think if we get shots on frame then the flood gates will open. One of our goals was to get eight shots on frame because we feel if we can do that, then we'll score goals. Penn State got eight, they scored goals and came away with the win. We didn't hit that mark.

"Defensively we weren't perfect either, and we're asking ourselves to play perfect defense because we're not putting shots on frame. We've got to do one or the other."

Both teams looked sharp in the first half, as Illinois held a 9-6 shot advantage while Penn State out-cornered the Illini, 3-0, through the first 45 minutes. Illinois goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka and the Illini defense kept the shut out in tact through the first period thanks to four saves.

Penn State broke up the stalemate in the 57th minute after a restart goal allowed Penn State midfielder Jess Rosebluth to fire a hire shot inside the 18. Kapicka stretched both hands up to make the stop, but the wet ball slipped off her hands and went over the goal line before the Illini defense could clear.

"It's unfortunate the goal they scored went off (Kapicka's) hands," Rayfield said. "I thought she had a good game. It was a hard shot, but she made good decisions coming off the line tonight. We pushed numbers forward and she made a save late to keep us in it so we could push more numbers forward."

The best chance for the Orange and Blue came minutes after the Nittany Lions took the 1-0 lead. Junior forward Chichi Nweke fired one of Illinois' two shots on frame, but PSU goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett came up with the save to preserve the lead.

Penn State added its second goal with under a minute left in the game to seal the 2-0 win. Overall, the Nittany Lions out-shot the Illini, 17-15 and owned a 7-2 corner advantage.

The Illini look to snap the four-game skid as they host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday. The match begins at 1 p.m. and fans are encouraged to wear pink to show support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Anyone wearing pink is invited to made a donation to Coaches vs. Cancer and receive a Kicks Against Breast Cancer pin and free admission to the game. Sunday is also Dog Day at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium, where anyone with a dog on a leash can get in free.