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Illini Travel to North Carolina for NCAA Round of 16
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Head coach Janet Rayfield returns to her alma mater for the first time since 1994 when she was at the helm of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
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Nov. 19, 2008
NCAA ROUND OF 16 INFORMATION
Host: North Carolina
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Facility: Fetzer Field
Host website: tarheelblue.com
Live Stats: Available at fightingillini.com
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois at (1) North Carolina
Saturday, Nov. 22 • 4:30 p.m. (CT)
Just For Kicks
Illinois is...
...9-7-1 in the NCAA Tournament
...8-5-1 in NCAA Tournament under Rayfield
...12-0-1 when scoring first
Tournament Tidbits
• Illinois is making its third Round of 16 appearance in the last five years, all coming during Rayfield's tenure.
• The Illini have faced an ACC team twice in the postseason, playing Florida State in 2005 and 2006. The 2005 meeting occurred in the second round, while the 2006 matchup also was in the Round of 16.
• The Big Ten has two representatives remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Along with the Illini, the Minnesota Golden Gophers made the Round of 16 and will play Notre Dame.
A Familiar Place
Although Illinois has never played North Carolina, one Illini is no stranger to Chapel Hill. Head coach Janet Rayfield led the Tar Heels to their first national title in 1982. It marks her first return trip to her alma mater as a head coach since 1994, when she was at the helm of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Plenty of Nothing
In her first year as a starter in goal, Alexandra Kapicka has collected nine shutouts, the fourth most in a single season in school history. She has allowed just one goal through the last five matches, had a career-high 11 saves against Missouri and also made a stop on the Tigers' final penalty kick to send Illinois to the NCAA Round of 16. The Arlington Heights, Ill., native is on track to have one of the best goals against averages in program history. Kapicka currently has a 0.71 GAA, which is the second best by an Illini keeper in a single season and also ranks second among the Big Ten keepers this year.
A Second Helping For Hilbrands
In her second year in the Orange and Blue, forward Jordan Hilbrands notched her first two career goals, both of which were game-winners. Her first goal came in Illinois 1-0 victory over Michigan. Last weekend, the Bexley, Ohio, native notched her second game-winner in the second overtime against Memphis, propelling the Illini to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Nweke On Her Way
Junior forward Chichi Nweke played a key role in the attack over the weekend. Not only did Nweke assist on the game-winning goal in Illinois' 1-0 win over Memphis, but also she tallied her team-leading seventh goal of the season against Missouri. The goal gave the Illini a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute before the Orange and Blue eventually defeated the Tigers in PKs.
OK With OT
Illinois had only played two overtime games the entire year and hadn't played extra time since Aug. 31 until hitting the postseason. All three of the Illini's postseason matches have reached double overtime, with two going the full 110 minutes before the penalty kick shootout. The Orange and Blue have shown persistence through the last 323 minutes of play, remaining unbeaten and giving up just one goal during the span.
Role Players
When Illinois went to a penalty kick shootout against Missouri, two Illini that hadn't played a minute all weekend stepped in to fulfill the important role of taking a PK. Sophomore midfielder Krystin Miller nailed the first PK for the Orange and Blue, while sophomore forward Christina Sahly drilled the third one en route to Illinois' 4-3 win.
Big Time Big Ten
Illinois had three representatives named to this year's All-Big Ten teams. Senior defender Emily Zurrer earned first-team accolades for the third consecutive year. Junior midfielder Jackie Santacaterina and sophomore defender Danielle Kot each earned second-team honors. Santacaterina's award was the second in a row for her, while Kot was named a Big Ten All-Freshman last season. Additionally, sophomore midfielder Krystin Miller earned Illinois' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Dominant Defense
Illinois' defense has been solid throughout the season, giving up just 16 goals to its opponents which is the second fewest in the Big Ten. The Orange and Blue's 0.71 GAA also ranks second in the conference. The Illini D hasn't given up more than one goal in 15 of the last 16 matches.
North Carolina at a Glance
The Tar Heels earned a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. UNC's only loss this season came at the hands of top-ranked Notre Dame. The Tar Heels are led by Casey Nogueira with 22 goals and seven assists on teh season. Goalkeepers Anna Rodenbough and Ashlyn Harris have split the majority of time between the posts, giving up just 14 goals and combining for 14 shutouts.
