Michigan
3-6-4, 0-2-2
Illinois
9-4, 3-1
Wolverines Fall Short at No. 21 Illinois
10/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Score: #21 Illinois 1, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (3-6-4, 0-2-2 Big Ten), ILL (9-4, 3-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 10 -- vs. No. 25 Penn State (Ann Arbor, Mich.),4 p.m.
Boxscore
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team battled hard but fell 1-0 at No. 21 Illinois on Sunday (Oct. 5) at the Illinois Track and Soccer Stadium. Senior goalkeeper Madison Gates(Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) had two saves on the afternoon.
The U-M defense held firm for most of the game as the Illini took 11 shots on the day but managed to put just three on goal. Despite U-M's excellent defense, Illinois was able to sneak one into the goal to take a 1-0 lead on a header in the box by Jordan Hillbrands in the 79th minute.
Sophomore Jackie Carron(Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) had the best chance to put the Wolverines on the board with a shot on goal in the 65th minute, but Illinois goalie Alexandra Kapicka got her hands on it for the save.
After a slow first half during which the two teams combined for just four shots with none on goal, the Illini picked up their attack in the second half, outshooting the Wolverines 8-4.
Michigan continues with its Big Ten slate on Friday (Oct. 10) at4 p.m. when the Wolverines host No. 25 Penn State. The U-M Soccer Complex's west practice field will play host to the game.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Illinois | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- ILL, Jordan Hillbrands, 78:16 (Laura Knutson)
Shots: U-M 5, ILL 11
Shots on Goal: U-M 1, ILL 3
Saves: U-M 2 (Madison Gates), ILL 1 (Alexandra Kapicka)
Corner Kicks: U-M 10, ILL 7
Fouls: U-M 10, ILL 7
Cards: U-M, Amy Klippert, 53:30 (Yellow).
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Greg Ryan
On the loss... "I think it was our best game of the year to tell you the truth. Illinois to me is one of the top two teams in the Big Ten. Without any doubt we played our best soccer. Our team defending frustrated Illinois, shots were pressured and outside the box, but they created two really good chances and finished one. We had more possession of the ball, connected better, created a few chances but just not enough."
On what the team takes from the game... "They are very proud of how they played today so I think they take away a lot of confidence knowing they are playing one of the top teams in the Big Ten, and they are playing well. This is a team that at the beginning of the year that didn't know how to play together, but now they are playing with confidence and they are a team that is working towards competing again in the Big Ten. We may not get it done this year, but we are improving and working towards that. We may surprise some people at the end of this year."
Contact: Ryan Sosin, Joe Arancio (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Hilbrands, Jordan (1)
Assisted By: Knutson, Laura
header from left flank, shot into right
78:16
