Evanston, Ill. – Fighting Illini Soccer closed out regular season play at Northwestern on Wednesday, falling to the Wildcats 1-0 in overtime. Illinois took advantage of wet and windy conditions firing 10 shots in the match, but Northwestern netted the game-winner in the 98th minute.
"I feel for this team and especially for these seniors," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Our record and even tonight's loss is not reflective of the ability of this team or the competitive spirit that they exhibit. Some would call it an unlucky year, but you make your own luck. We will work harder than ever before, raise the standards we hold ourselves to and use this season as motivation to make sure we don't just play great soccer in the future but win games as well."
Using the wind to their advantage in the first half, the Illini were strong on both ends of the field as the defense held Northwestern to just two shots in the period, none on goal. Offensively, Illinois put all three of its shots on frame before the break.
Senior Tailor Smith had the first chance for the Illini on Wednesday, firing a shot from the top of the box in the 27th minute. Senior Ellie Ordonez put another shot on goal a few minutes later, her second of the season. Taylore Peterson helped close out the half on a high note as she put a shot on goal from the far corner of the box in the 44th minute of play. Â Â
The Illini kept the pressure on in the second half, as sophomore Katie Murray put a shot on goal right away in the 48th minute. Patricia George was on the attack as well as she nailed back-to-back shots at the Northwestern net. George's first chance was blocked by the Wildcat defense. She took the second shot from the top of the box that sailed just over the NU crossbar.
Junior Emily Osoba carded her first shot of the year, just hitting the near post in the 62nd minute. Freshman Lauren Smitherman also fired her first career shot in the second half, while George added another before heading into overtime.
Peterson put a shot on goal in overtime for the Illini, but Northwestern's Kayla Sharples tapped in the game-winner in the 98th minute of play.
Freshman goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham made her first career appearance for the Illini, starting the second half in the net on Wednesday. She grabbed three saves overall. Senior goalkeeper Claire Wheatley earned the start for the Illini, her 69th career start.
Illinois closes regular season play with a 6-11-2 record, and a 3-6-2 record in Big Ten play.
Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for all the latest on Illinois soccer. Â
