Oct. 11, 2009

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois soccer team struggled to find the net, dropping a 1-0 match to Wisconsin on Sunday at the Illinois Soccer Stadium. The Badgers (7-5-2, 3-1-1 Big Ten) played a stifling 90 minutes of defense, holding the Illini (5-5-3, 0-2-2) to without a shot on goal in the game. Prior to Sunday, Illinois had won seven straight matches over Wisconsin as the Badgers won in Champaign for the first time since 2002.

"When we battle and play, we're as good as anybody," Illini head coach Janet Rayfield said. "But today we didn't show up to play. A lot of credit to Wisconsin - they came in here with energy and fight, and they outfought us today. It's disappointing we couldn't match that energy. We have a team that I know wants to go after a Big Ten title, but they've got to figure out a way to play like that ... We have to fight for every single win we can get from here on out, and hopefully we can give ourselves a chance to have a postseason."

Wisconsin scored the game-winner in the 60th minute, as sophomore Laurie Nosbusch finished to the left corner of the goal after taking a pass inside the box from freshman Paige Adams. The Badgers dominated the statistics, out-shooting the Illini 14-8 and having five shots on goal to Illinois' zero.

Illinois had two near misses on goal to take the lead. In the 33rd minute, senior Courtney Bell sent a shot high from inside the box after a perfect cross from freshman Niki Read. Then in the 49th, junior Jordan Hilbrands also sent a shot high from inside the box with Wisconsin keeper Michele Dalton out of position and the goal open. Senior forward Chichi Nweke had several offensive runs in 75 minutes of play, but she was stopped each time by a Badgers defender.

Orange and Blue keeper Alexandra Kapicka had a total of four saves on the day, including a spectacular diving stop in the 26th after a shot by Nosbusch. The Wisconsin forward kept the Illini defense busy with five shots in the game, three of which were on goal.

Hilbrands, Nweke and freshman Shayla Mutz each had two shots apiece to lead the Illini. Illinois had three corner kicks to Wisconsin's two, and had 14 fouls to Wisconsin's 15.

Next up, the Illini head to Iowa City, Iowa for a rare Saturday night match at Iowa on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.