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Sophomore midfielder Chichi Nweke scored the game-winning goal against Minnesota last Friday to lead the Illini to a 1-0 win.
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Oct. 10, 2007
Northwestern, Minnesota Game Notes
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ILLINOIS STORYLINES
Ilinois is...
...7-1-0 when scoring first
...6-1-0 when leading at the half
...7-0-0 when allowing fewer than 2 goals
...4-1-0 at home
LEADING OFF
Defensive Dandy: Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens anchored an Illini defense that produced back-to-back shutouts over the weekend, earning her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. It is the first time in her career that Carstens has received the award. With the two shutouts, the West Chester, Ohio, native now has five on the season and 22 in her career, leaving her two shy of the school's career shutout record set by current assistant coach Leisha Alcia.
Six-Shooter: The Illini produced a season-high six goals against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday. That is the most goals by an Illini squad since 2003, when Illinois blanked Ohio, 6-0, on Aug. 31. It marks the ninth time in history that an Illinois team has notched at least six goals in a game.
Shutout City: Illinois has produced four straight shutouts this season at the Illinois Soccer Stadium. Through five matches played on their home field, the Illini have given up just three goals. The Orange and Blue are just one shy of their five home shutouts last season.
Steigerwald Strikes: Freshman forward Cory Steigerwald added her name to the list of freshmen who have notched a goal this season for the Illini when she punched the ball in twice against Iowa. The Long Grove, Ill., native tallied her first career goal on a header to open the scoring for Illinois and later followed with her second on a shot from 12 yards out. Steigerwald is the third freshman to score this season, along with forward Laura Knutson and defender Danielle Kot.
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Sophomore midfielder Courtney Bell rang up her first two goals of the season against Iowa. Bell notched her first goal with a laser shot from the top of the box over the head of the Hawkeyes goalkeeper then added her second on a penalty kick. The Bainbridge Island, Wash., native also leads the team with four assists.
Ready, Aim, Fire: Illinois continued its shot domination against Minnesota and Iowa. The Orange and Blue out-shot the Gophers, 27-7 and Iowa, 26-5. The Illini have now out-shot their opponents in eight straight matches and own a 193-101 advantage overall.
Gimme Goals: The Illini have scored at least one goal through their first 11 matches, breaking the previous record of scoring in 10 matches to open the season. The Orange and Blue are one game shy of the overall record for consecutive games with a goal. In 2005 and 2001, Illinois notched at least one goal in 12 straight games.
Uncanny Knutston: Freshman forward Laura Knutson notched her fifth goal of the season in Illinois' 6-0 blasting of Iowa. With her 11 points this season, Knutson is on pace with the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, teammate Chichi Nweke, who had five goals and 13 points through 11 games last season. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native currently leads all Big Ten freshmen in goals scored.
Marvelous Masar: Senior forward Ella Masar collected her 15th point of the season with a goal against Iowa. Masar currently leads the team with six goals and is tied for second on the team with three assists. With her six goals this season, Masar has doubled her production compared to this point last season.
UP NEXT
The Illinois soccer team continues its homestand with matches against Northwestern and Wisconsin. Illinois holds a nine-game unbeaten streak against Northwestern, including a current three-game winning streak. The Orange and Blue are 5-0 against the Wildcats in Champaign. The Illini have won five in a row over the Badgers and hold a 3-1 advantage in Champaign.
Scouting Northwestern: The Wildcats are coming off a weekend split, topping Ohio State, 2-0, before falling to Penn State, 3-1. The Wildcats have yet to win a conference road game this season, falling to Indiana and Purdue away from Evanston. Senior forward Kelsey Hans leads the conference with 46 shots and has six goals, four assists and 16 points, while senior midfielder Shannon Schneeman has contributed seven goals.
Scouting Wisconsin: Wisconsin also split the weekend, losing to Penn State, 2-0, then knocking off Ohio State, 1-0. Prior to their win against the Buckeyes, the Badgers had been shut out in four straight matches. Junior forward Taylor Walsh leads the way for the Badgers, with three goals and six points, while junior forward Tricia Krombach (1 g, 2 a) and senior defender Shannon Terry (2 g) each have four points.
