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Sophomore midfielder Courtney Bell tallied her team-leading fourth assist against Penn State last Sunday.
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Oct. 3, 2007
Minnesota, Iowa Game Notes
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Illinois vs. Minnesota
Friday, Oct. 5 • 7 p.m.
Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium
Illinois vs. Iowa
Sunday, Oct. 7 • 1 p.m.
Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium
ILLINOIS STORYLINES
Ilinois is...
...5-1-0 when scoring first
...4-1-0 when leading at the half
...5-0-0 when allowing fewer than 2 goals
...2-1-0 at home
LEADING OFF
Gimme Goals: The Illini have scored at least one goal through their first nine matches. The last time Illinois started off the season scoring in each of its first nine games was in 1999, when the Orange and Blue notched a goal in 10 consecutive games.
Uncanny Knutston: Freshman forward Laura Knutson notched her fourth goal of the season and first goal against a Big Ten opponent in the Ohio State match. With her nine points this season, Knutson is nearly matching the pace of the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, teammate Chichi Nweke, who had four goals and 10 points through nine games last season. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native is currently tied with Minnesota's Katie Bethke and Michigan's Amanda Bowery for most goals by a Big Ten freshman.
Marvelous Masar: Senior forward Ella Masar collected her 13th point of the season with an assist against Ohio State. Masar currently leads the team with five goals and is second on the team with three assists.
With her five goals this season, Masar already has more than half of her total of nine goals in 2006. The senior has also tallied three assists, giving her 13 points on the season, compared to her six points at this point last year.
Hot Kot: Freshman defender Danielle Kot netted her first career goal against Penn State. Kot's goal came in the 52nd minute when she headed in a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Courtney Bell. The Brookfield, Wis., also has two assists through eight starts for the Illini this season.
UP NEXT
The Illinois soccer team opens home conference play with matches against Minnesota and Iowa. Illinois has not lost to Minnesota in Champaign since the first meeting between the two teams in 1997, when the No. 21-ranked Gophers won, 1-0. The Illini have never lost to the Hawkeyes when playing in the Land of Lincoln.
Scouting Minnesota: The Gophers opened the Big Ten season with a weekend sweep of Michigan and Michigan State. Minnesota is unbeaten in its last five games and has won six of its last eight, including four shutouts. Junior forward Lindsey Schwartz leads the Gophers with 16 points (6 g, 4 a), while freshman forward Katie Bethke is just behind her with 14 points (4 g, 6 a).
Scouting Iowa: Iowa currently owns a six-game winning streak, including a 2-0 start to its Big Ten season with back-to-back wins against Michigan State and Michigan last weekend. The Hawkeyes have shut out six of their opponents this season thanks to senior goalkeeper Lindsey Boldt, who has a 0.58 goals against average. Iowa is led by junior forward Stephanie Hyink with five points (2 g, 1 a).
SIDENOTES
Illinois invites fans to bring their dogs to Friday's match and get in for two dollars. Also, anyone who has attended Illinois soccer camp will get in free with pre-registration. Sunday is Girl Scout Day at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium, as all Girl Scouts get in for a dollar if pre-registered. Any fan who shows a ticket stub from the Illinois vs. Wisconsin football game can also get in free on Sunday. In addition, anyone interested in joining the Upper 90 Club should come to the field at 11 a.m. for details.
