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Emily Zurrer scored the golden goal in Illinois' 3-2 double-overtime win over No. 16 Wisconsin.
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Sept. 25, 2005
Champaign, Ill. - Emily Zurrer headed in the golden goal off a corner kick from Christen Karniski in the 104th minute to lift Illinois to a 3-2 win over No. 16 Wisconsin in front of 362 rain-soaked fans at Illinois Soccer Stadium. Jessica Bayne scored twice in the first half, giving her three goals on the weekend after missing last Sunday's game with an injury.
After two shots by Illini players were off frame in the 104th minute, Illinois forced a corner kick, taken by defender Christen Karniski (Iowa City, Iowa). Karniski's serve was perfect for defender Emily Zurrer (Vancouver, B.C.), who soared and headed it into the net at 103:53, making Illinois 6-2-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Big Ten. It is Illinois' first undefeated start to a conference season since 2003 (1-0-1) and the first 2-0 start since 2001.
Playing between the rain puddles, Illinois jumped out to an early 2-0 lead behind a pair of goals by forward Jessica Bayne (Troy, Ill.). Bayne's first goal came off a pass from Eva Strickland (Seattle, Wash.), which she shot far post from five yards out for a 1-0 Illini lead at 4:32. It was the fastest Illinois goal to start a game this season. She didn't waste much time following it up, as an apparent cross from 24 yards out on the left side of the field continued to bend toward the goal, was deflected by a Badger defender and skipped in off the far post in the 15th minute.
"Coming into the Big Ten we wanted to make a statement," Bayne said. "We came out this weekend and played very well. We tried to keep the intensity and make the other team match it."
Wisconsin did match the intensity in the second half, scoring only 51 seconds into the second period on a rebound goal by Amy Vermeulen. After Illinois controlled the first half, the Badgers were able to dictate the tempo for most of the second period. After Vermeulen's goal, the Badgers then tied it up 2-2 on Marisa Brown's goal at 62:07 when she shot far post from 20 yards after a scrum at the top of the penalty box.
"We didn't give up after we allowed two goals," Illinois coach Janet Rayfield said. "There were still 30 minutes left when they scored their second goal and that's a long time. We didn't fall in a shell and be afraid and play in a panic. We hung with it."
Neither team was able to control the first overtime, but the Illini took charge early in the second extra period, registering three shots and two corner kicks in only 3:53. Zurrer's goal, her second of the season, placed Illinois atop the Big Ten standings after the first weekend of league play.
"Zurrer made a great adjustment and put herself in a different position on a corner kick, and we were able to find her," Rayfield said. "Our fitness was a big factor today. It's something we pride ourselves on, and today that fitness got us a game."
Illinois returns to action next weekend with a single game Friday at Ohio State at 6:30 p.m.
