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
  |
|
Janet Rayfield and the Illini will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., for a spring tournament featuring defending national champion North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee.
|
Feb. 21, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois travels to Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend to face defending national champion North Carolina, Ohio State and the host Lady Vols in an extremely competitive spring tournament. The event was developed as a result of the head coaches of the Illini, Buckeyes and Lady Vols all having played for Tar Heel coach Anson Dorrance at UNC.
"This is a tremendous spring opportunity where we get to play three quality teams and test ourselves against some of the best teams in the country," Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. "The Carolina connection has pulled together four top teams that can compete with respect for each other and a camaraderie that will make this weekend special for the teams and for the coaching staffs."
The Illini will play each of the three teams in a one-day round-robin format on Saturday, Feb. 24, and the match schedule will be developed by random draw when the teams arrive on site. Matches will use 25-minute halves.
In addition, junior forward Ella Masar is currently competing at the second United States under-21 women's training camp of 2007. She joins 23 other top collegiate players in training from Feb. 17-23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and will play two matches against the senior women's national team during their camp. The U-21 team also will travel to England March 9-18 to play several top English women's clubs.
"Getting a second invitation to national camp indicates that Ella competed well in the first camp and now gets a chance to get even more experience and get more comfortable in that environment," Rayfield said. "Every chance she gets to test herself against the best in the country will elevate her game, and the exciting thing for us is that she will bring that experience with her when she returns and dons the Orange and Blue."
U.S. Under-21 Women's Roster
Forwards
Ella Masar (Illinois), Jessica Rostedt (Virginia), Michele Weissenhofer (Notre Dame), Kiki Bosio (Santa Clara), Kylie Rossie (Tennessee), Jessica Okoroafo (Purdue), Rachel Rapinoe (Portland)
Midfielders
Brittany Bock (Notre Dame), Tina DiMartino (UCLA), Ali Krieger (Penn State), Kara Kabellis (Wisconsin), Carly Dobratz (Washington State), Meghan Schnur (Connecticut), Lisa Sari (Portland), Laura Robinson (Texas A&M)
Defenders
Marisa Abegg (Stanford), Erin Hardy (UCLA), Nikki Krzysik (Virginia), Stephanie Logternman (Texas), Kasey Moore (Texas), Hillary Schwarzbach (Santa Clara), Sue Weber (Hofstra)
Goalkeepers
Joanna Haig (Louisville), Dianne Pfenniger (Texas)
