Illini Prepare for Third Encounter
With Nittany Lions
Winner Advances to Third Round
Although this is the first trip ever to
the NCAA tournament for the soccer team, the Illini are getting used
to seeing Penn State. Sunday's NCAA second-round game will be the
third time the Nittany Lions and the Illini face off this season.
During the regular season, Illinois lost to Penn State 3-0 in Pennsylvania.
Sophomore All-American forward Christie Welsh leads the Nittany Lions
in goals with 16 and points with 39. Welsh is second in assists with
seven.
Welsh looks to receive the ball from freshman forward Stephanie Smith
most often. Smith leads the team in assists with 11. Smith is third
in goals (6) and second in points (23). The Illinois defense will
also have to keep an eye on freshman forward Heidi Drummond. Drummond
has scored the second-most goals with eight and has the third-most
points with 18.
Penn State and Illinois were tied for second for the most productive
offenses in the Big Ten. Both teams netted a total of 20 goals against
conference opponents. In the standings, Penn State earned first place
with a 10-0 record.
Illinois won six games and lost four, which earned it fourth place
and a trip to the Big Ten Tournament. In the Big Ten Tournament, Illinois
met Penn State yet again. Penn State beat Minnesota 1-0 and the Illini
took their first game 3-1 against Michigan State. In the semi-final
match, Illinois took the lead 23 minutes into the match when All-Big
Ten junior forward Emily Brown scored off an assist from second team
All-Big Ten selection junior midfielder Colleen Joyce, who had received
the ball from junior midfielder Hollie Schurr.
Illinois led until the 80th minute of play. With only 10 minutes remaining,
Penn State tied the game. In the third overtime, Penn State won.
"I thought we outplayed Penn State last time. We gained a lot of confidence.
There is no question we can play with them," said coach Tricia Taliaferro.
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