Sept. 3, 2010

Box Score

Storrs, Conn. - The Fighting Illini women's soccer team dropped its first contest of the season to the University of Connecticut, 2-1, in the 103rd minute on Friday afternoon. Senior Jordan Hilbrands was assisted by senior Danielle Kot and junior Marissa Mykines in notching the lone Illini goal on the day.

"We created enough chances to be successful and made enough mistakes to lose," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "UConn played a style that put us under pressure. They were going to capitalize on any mistakes we made."

With the Illini down, 1-0, in the 72nd minute, Hilbrands evened the score with her second goal of the season to eventually send the contest into overtime. Hilbrands headed a Marissa Mykines' corner kick past UConn's keeper, Jessica Dulski, to put Illinois on the board.

For the contest, the Illini outshot Connecticut, 19-11, and earned eight corner opportunities to the Huskies' two. Sophomore Steph Panozzo and senior Alexandra Kapicka split time in net for the fourth consecutive game. Panozzo blanked the Huskies over the first half before being relieved by Kapicka for the remainder of the game.

The game, originally scheduled for Friday night, was moved up to begin at 12 p.m. Central Standard Time due to approaching severe weather conditions in Connecticut. Illinois will travel to New Haven, Conn., on Sunday, Sept. 5 for an 11 a.m. CST scheduled contest against Yale.