Oct. 2, 2009

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Illinois soccer team outshot No. 12 Purdue 15-9, but was unable to find the back of the net in dropping a 1-0 contest to the Boilermakers on Friday at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Purdue's Roya Akhavain scored the game-winner in the 45th minute as the Illini (5-4-2, 0-1-1 Big Ten) were shut out for just the second time this season.

"It's too bad to lose this one because we played better than we have the last several games," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We looked like a much better soccer team than we did against Minnesota (last Sunday). We fought hard in the midfield, battled and won some balls. All the things we were missing on Sunday I thought we had today. We just didn't finish the couple of chances we had and didn't get the clean look inside the penalty box that we have gotten in the past. If we had, the game would have been much different. I give credit to their three backs because they were tough to get behind."

Sophomore Marissa Mykines provided most of Illinois' offensive chances, as she led the team with two shots on goal and six total shots, most of which were on free kicks.

The first half was played fairly even, with Illinois owning a 9-7 shots advantage, including three by Mykines. After a shot on goal by the Illini's Jordan Hilbrands in the 43rd, Purdue (7-2-2, 2-0-1) scored in transition in the closing seconds of the first half. Freshman Vanessa Ibewuike sent a ball across the box to Akhavain, who finished to score her first career goal.

The Illini controlled possession in the second half, but were unable to score the equalizer. In the final 10 minutes of the game, Mykines was fouled just before she had a good chance on goal and the Illini were also unable to convert after a scramble inside Purdue's box.

Hilbrands and senior Jackie Santacaterina each had three shots apiece for the Ilini as both teams had an identical four shots on goal. Illinois keeper Alexandra Kapicka made two saves, while Purdue's Jenny Bradfisch made four saves.

Purdue marks the fourth ranked opponent Illinois has faced in 11 games in 2009. Illinois will try to get its first Big Ten win on Sunday, facing Indiana (8-3-0, 0-2-0) at 1 p.m. CT in Bloomington, Ind.