FightingIllini.com
The Official Home of University of Illinois Athletics
- Men's Sports
- MEN'S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Football
- Golf
- WOMEN'S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
Defense Propels Illini To 1-0 Victory Over #20 Michigan State
  |
|
Sophomore Paula Faherty scored the lone goal in Illinois' 1-0 win over #20 Michigan State on Sunday.
|
Sept. 21, 2003
Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini defense rose to the occasion for the fourth consecutive game, this time shutting-out 20th ranked Michigan State, 1-0, on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Illinois Soccer Stadium. The shutout is the fourth in a row the Illini, equaling the school record, which was set back in 1999. In addition, the Illinois defense has now held its opponents scoreless for 380 consecutive minutes, just shy of the school record of 392:48, also set in 1999. With the win, Illinois improves to 5-2-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State drops to 5-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference following today's loss.
"This was a big first win for us, and we hope the first of many," said Illinois Head Coach Janet Rayfield. "Our defense seems to be getting better and better every game, and the better we do, the more confidence we have. We are really taking pride in the fact that we don't want a team to score, and I think that's going to continue. Whenever you have a defense that can shut teams down, you have a chance to win every game, and in the Big Ten, sometimes one goal makes all the difference."
In the first half, the Illini came out aggressively, controlling the ball for most of the period. In that first frame, Illinois out-shot the guests by a 10-4 count, with neither team able to capitalize on their opportunities.
The Illini didn't waste any time getting on the board in the second half, however. Just 19 seconds into the second stanza, sophomore midfielder Paula Faherty fired a rocket into the top, center of the net from 20 yards out to give the Orange and Blue a 1-0 lead. The score set a new Illinois Soccer Stadium record for quickest goal to start a half, the old record was 37 seconds, set by Ashley Gordon in the second half vs. Aurora in 1997.
"I saw them cross it in the center and all our forwards were in the box, so I just dropped off and hoped to get a rebound opportunity," said Faherty said of her score. "The ball came out to me and I was wide open, so I just took the shot."
Faherty's goal would prove to be the game-winner, as the Illini defense was stellar, holding the Spartans without shot on goal until the final 10 minutes. The Spartans had nine shots, four on goal, for the game, but Illini goalkeeper Leisha Alcia was there to save all four to collect her fourth consecutive shutout. The fact that Alcia had four saves does not tell of the impact that she had on the game, though. The junior from Mississauga, Ontario thwarted several MSU scoring opportunities before they were able to get a shot off by either coming out of the net to smother the ball, or by punching it away from the goal. Alcia now has eight shutouts for her career, tying her with Sarah Heggen for the all-time Illinois shutout mark.
"Ever since the spring, we have really been concentrating on shutting the other teams down," said Alcia. "Right now, we're taking pride in defending and taking control of the game, and I think that is exactly why we have been playing so well on defense. I think when we're playing well in the back and coming up big defensively, we can play with anybody."
Illinois fired 19 shots on the day, seven on goal, and had several golden scoring opportunities. However, MSU net-minder Stacy Heller had a solid day, stopping six Illini shots, while allowing just the one goal.
Up Next: The Illini head to Iowa City, Iowa next Friday, Sept. 26, to take on the Hawkeyes in Big Ten Conference action at 7 p.m.
