Northwestern Overcomes @IlliniSoccer on Senior Night, 2-0

Champaign, Ill. - The Northwestern Wildcats overcame Illinois, on Saturday, Oct. 24, handing the Illini a 2-0 loss on senior night. The Orange and Blue fall to 9-5-3 on the season and 3-4-3 in league play. The Illini outshot Northwestern, 17-12, but that wasn't enough to come out on top. 

"I think we needed to make better decisions in our attacking half," head coach Janet Rayfield said of tonight's game. "I give a lot of credit to Northwestern, they put a lot of numbers behind the ball and they're good in the air. We kept trying to flight in the box, but that's what they're good at. We really needed to get the ball on the ground more and combine to get in and get some shots. And then we've got to take better shots and get our shots on frame."

The Illini spent most of the first half on the attack, but Northwestern was able to sneak past the Illini defense in the 26th minute as Wildcat Addie Steiner gave Northwestern a 1-0 advantage in the game. Despite allowing a goal, the Illini were dominant in the first half, firing eight shots and getting three on frame. The Illini spread out the attack, as seven different players tallied shots before the halftime break. Redshirt senior Jannelle Flaws led with two shots, while Aliina Weykamp, Nicole Breece and Flaws each recorded one shot on goal. Northwestern was only able to get three shots off before the break. 

Northwestern took advantage of the wind in the second half, as the Wildcats were able to get a few more shots at the Illini net. Both teams tallied nine shots in the second half, but Illinois was able to get four on goal. In the 72nd minute of play, the Wildcats found the back of the net once again, increasing the lead, 2-0. 

Just a few minutes later, the Illini were awarded a penalty kick off of Northwestern foul in the box. Flaws fired a strong shot that was blocked by the Wildcat keeper and deflected out to Hope D'Addario who immediately took a shot that was just a bit too high. 

The Illini finished with 17 shots overall and seven on goal, led by Flaws and D'Addario who each took four shots in the match. 

The Illini honored their four seniors prior to the contest, including Anastasia Medellin, Aliina Weykamp, Nicole Breece and Jannelle Flaws. 

"We have a really unique group of people in those four seniors," Rayfield said. "You've got Jannelle, who has reset the record book, Aliina Weykamp who has been steady for us and had followed her collegiate plan to the Nth degree. Then there's Nicole Breece, who really just cares about the team and wants the team to be successful. Finally, you've got Anastasia. I don't know if there is a member of our team who is prouder to put on that jersey than Anastasia."

The Illini will conclude the regular season on Wednesday, in a 7 p.m. match at Minnesota. 

"We've got to go to Minnesota on Wednesday and do the best we can," Rayfield said of the game plan for Wednesday. "We need to execute the way that we're capable of and get a result."

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