Sept. 20, 2010
Complete Big Ten ReleaseComplete Top Drawer Soccer Release
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois women's soccer team received multiple team and individual awards on Monday in recognition of the team's performances in shutting out LSU, 1-0, and #23 Louisville, 3-0, on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Senior defender Krystin Miller was singled out among a group of worthy candidates, earning Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week to go with a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week and a place among the CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performers of the Week. Senior goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka was also recognized, earning the Daily Illini, the University of Illinois Student Newspaper, "Illini of the Week" distinction.
In addition to the individual awards, the Illini were ranked #1 among Great Lakes teams for the third consecutive week while moving up to the 20th spot on TopDrawerSoccer.com Tournament 64 list, a jump of 14 spaces over the previous ranking. The Illini also moved up in the Soccer America rankings, taking over the 15th spot from their previous place in the 21st slot. Currently, the Illini rank tied for 26th in the official NCAA poll, which will be updated on Tuesday, September 20, 2010.
Miller is the second Illini to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Big Ten as classmate Danielle Kot won the award outright on Aug. 23. Miller is the first Illini to be named as a member of the Team of the Week or a Primetime Performer in 2010. Kapicka is the second soccer player to earn Illini of the Week award during the 2010 campaign as freshman midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo received the award previously.
For the season, the Illini have performed exceptionally on both sides of the field. The offense is averaging 2.12 goals per contest while the defense only allows 0.38 per game. The Orange and Blue also earn more shot attempts, shots on goal, have a higher shot percentage and have taken more than twice as many corner kicks, 39-15, than their opponents. The offense and defense have remained balanced throughout the first eight contests, recording eight first-half goals and nine second-half goals while only allowing one goal each in the first half, second half and double-overtime.
