Sept. 23, 2011

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 22 nationally-ranked Illinois soccer team was unable to pull off its second consecutive rally, tying the contest near the end of the first half before allowing an additional goal by Ohio State to fall, 2-1, on Friday evening. Sophomore forward Jannelle Flaws recorded her second collegiate goal in the losing effort to lead the Illinois offense.

"The box score tells the story, we didn't finish the chances we had," Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Ohio State took advantage of opportunities in the box where they were able to out-jump us, and their physical size in the box created goals. With 20 shots and more chances outside of that we weren't efficient inside box."

Ohio State opened scoring, with Lauren Granberg recording her first of two goals on the contest, finishing the play with a touch from approximately eight yards away from the net to put the Buckeyes ahead, 1-0, at the 25:00 mark. However, only 12 minutes and 35 seconds later the Illini found the equalizer as the Illinois offense maintained pressure on Ohio State throughout the contest, earning the goal as a result of its diligence.

With the Buckeyes controlling the ball outside their box, Flaws intercepted a failed clearing attempt and buried a shot into the back of the net from 10 yards away to knot the contest at 1-1. Illinois had one additional chance during the final minutes of the first half, with senior defender Julie Ewing forcing Ohio State goalkeeper Katie Baumgardner to make the stop following an on-target attempt.

In the second half, Granberg earned the difference-maker with a header goal from six yards away in the 57th minute. Illinois was able to maintain control of play for much of the remainder of the contest, while the Illini defense clamped down and did not allow the Buckeyes another shot in the final 33 minutes.

The Illinois offense continued pressure with a barrage of attempts following the second Ohio State goal, totaling 11 more en route to a 20-9 shots advantage for the contest. Baumgardner prevented junior midfielder Nicole Denenberg's blast in the 64th minute before stopping an on-frame attempt by Flaws only four minutes later. Senior forward Marissa Mykines followed with a quality shot at the 74:53 mark, with Baumgardner stopping Mykines' attempt before saving Ewing's strike that followed immediately.

Illinois' last scoring opportunities came in the 89th minute, with sophomore midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo's shot being blocked by a wall of players at the 88:45 mark before senior defender Jenna Carosio put a rebound attempt over the net six second after.

On the game, the Orange and Blue also earned the advantage in on-target attempts, 8-4, while corners favored Ohio State, 8-5. The Buckeyes were called for 12 fouls to Illinois' 10, while Baumgardner earned seven saves in net for Ohio State (6-3-1 overall, 1-0-1 Big Ten) and junior goalkeeper Steph Panozzo tallied two for Illinois.

The Illini (6-3-1, 0-1-1) continued Big Ten play at Penn State (8-3-0, 1-0-1) on Sunday, September 25 with a Noon CT contest on Jeffrey Field.