Oct. 26, 2008

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Junior forward Chichi Nweke tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the season and fourth game-winner as the Illinois soccer team (10-8-0, 4-5-0 Big Ten) captured a 2-0 victory over Ohio State (7-9-0, 4-5-0 Big Ten) on a windy Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward Laura Knutson also contributed her first goal of the season on an assist from freshman forward Marissa Mykines.

Illinois' suffocating defense prevailed once again on the home turf, giving the Illini their sixth shutout of the season at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium. The Orange and Blue are now unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 games at home, with 13 shutouts during the span.

"We talked a lot about persistence as opposed to perfection," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We got a couple shots on frame today that we didn't Friday night, and we have to continue to do that. We just have to keep shooting, and go right back at it again like we did today."

After a scoreless first half that saw minimal chances for both teams, the Illini wasted little time putting pressure on the second half. Senior forward Charlotte Cooke slotted a pass to Nweke, where Nweke took the ball inside the 18 before putting a shot on frame. Her initial shot bounced off the hands of Buckeye goalkeeper Katie Baumgardner and Nweke took advantage, burying the second shot to give Illinois a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the second half.

"Charlotte has been playing really well and in a game like today where we really needed hold the ball, she gave us the option to find her feet and she played some great balls in," Rayfield said. "That's a senior who knows where things are and can handle the pressure. We needed that. Then with Chichi putting the first shot on frame, and re-framing her own shot, those little things make a difference when you're trying to score goals."

The Illini added to their lead in the 72nd minute after Mykines played a ball into Knutson just inside the 18. Knutson fired the long-range shot past a diving Baumgardner to seal Illinois' 2-0 victory.

Overall, the Orange and Blue put six of their 12 shots on frame. Illini keeper Alexandra Kapicka tallied three saves on the day, all coming in the second half.

Illinois concludes the 2008 season Friday, Oct. 31 against Purdue at 5 p.m. at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium. In addition to senior night festivities, the game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and fans are invited to take part in a costume contest, where the winner will receive a pair of tickets to the Illinois vs. Ohio State football game. Kids will be able to trick-or-treat at halftime, as other Illini student-athletes will be on hand to pass out candy.