Nov. 22, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Illinois soccer team battled hard against the North Carolina Tar Heels (22-1-2), holding the top-seeded team to one goal in the first half before falling, 3-0, in the NCAA Round of 16 at Fetzer Field. The Illini finish the season 12-9-2, giving up the second fewest goals in school history (19).

Illinois goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka delivered another solid performance, turning away five shots on goal. She ends the season with a 0.80 goals against average, the second-best in school history.

The Illini matched the Tar Heels intensity throughout the match, stifling the UNC attack through much of the first half thanks to Kapicka's impressive play. In the 21st minute, the Tar Heels threatened after a pair of passes left UNC's Casey Nogueira with an open look from the penalty kick line, but Kapicka laid out and made a spectacular diving stop to keep the match even.

UNC took the lead in the 32nd minute after Tar Heel Tobin Heath slotted a ball up the middle to Nogueira at the six. Kapicka blocked Nogueira's shot and as the ball deflected off her hands, it took an unlucky bounce off an Illini defender and redirected into the corner of the goal to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Heels added to their lead in the second half, notching two goals within a two-minute span. The first came in the 65th minute when Rachel Wood took a shot from the left side and Kapicka made yet another stop, but the ball hit off the inside of the right post and trickled into the goal. Nogueira made it 3-0 when she sidestepped an Illini defender and took a shot from 16 yards out that sailed just past Kapicka's outstretched hand.

Although the Illini had a few chances late in the game, they were unable to crack the Tar Heel defense. Illinois finished the match with six shots, including three on frame.