Illinois soccer defeats Michigan in overtime
By: Matt Wettersten
Updated: October 27, 2012
U of I Sports Information:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - When
Illinois traveled to Michigan today, the Orange and Blue were searching
for their first win in Ann Arbor in the program's history, and by the
end of the evening the Illini
achieved just that. Down two goals in the second half, Illinois rallied
to force overtime where Vanessa DiBernardo clinched the game with a
successful penalty kick.
"This is the type
of fight, relentless and timely composure this team has been searching
for all year," said head coach Janet Rayfield. "Our ability to stay with
it down two goals shows that this team has
learned from the past and is ready to go into the Big Ten Tournament as
fighters."
The first half
was an unfortunate one for the Orange and Blue as they outshot the
Wolverines 8-4, including five shots on goal, yet it was one of
Michigan's two shots on goal that resulted in a 1-0 lead
heading into halftime.
In the
26th-minute, the Wolverines capitalized on a rebound off of Illinois
goalkeeper Steph Panozzo. Nkem Ezurike collected the ricochet and placed
the ball into the back of the net for her team-leading
11th goal of the season.
Illinois bounced
back immediately, nearly equalizing it one minute later when Nicole
Breece collected the ball inside the Michigan box. The freshman made a
move around the defender and placed a shot on
goal, but Haley Kopmeyer was able to make the save.
The Illini then
produced another near miss in the 43rd-minute when Vanessa DiBernardo's
shot from just inside the box went inches right of the post.
It was the same
story to start the second half as Illinois was able to push the ball
into the offensive third but it was the Wolverines that capitalized on
the chances they produced. In the 49th-minute,
Michigan's Tori McCombs sent an intended cross deep into the Illinois
box from the left side. The ball floated over Panozzo's head and banked
off the far post and in for the 2-0 lead. The assist was credited to
Corinne Harris.
However, Vanessa
DiBernardo cut the deficit in the 62nd-minute when she stole possession
from the Wolverines, released a left footed shot from the top of the
18-yard box that bent over the keeper, off the
crossbar and into the net. The goal was DiBernardo's team-leading
seventh goal on the year.
The Orange and
Blue continued to rally and found the equalizer in the 84th-minute,
tying the game at two. Niki Read scored her second goal of the season
and has now scored in back-to-back games. DiBernardo
was credited with the assist.
The Illinois
defense stayed strong in the final minutes of the period, staving off
the ensuing Michigan attack. The Wolverines tallied four shots and two
corners but Panozzo and company were able to hold.
Then Breece
provided the magic in overtime. Just 30 seconds after she was subbed
back into the game, Breece drew a foul in the Michigan box in the
94th-minute, thus earning the penalty kick for the Illini.
DiBernardo stepped up and converted her eighth goal of the season, fifth
point on the night and second game-winner on the year.
Illinois finished
with 17 shots with 11 on goal compared to Michigan's 16 shots with six
on goal. The Wolverines did enjoy the corner kick advantage, 5-3 in
their favor. In addition, Steph Panozzo finished
with four saves in the Illini win.
As a result,
Illinois gave Michigan their first loss at home this season. In
addition, the Illini earned their first win over a ranked opponent this
year.
Furthermore, the
Orange and Blue advance to 5-0 this season when they have scored at
least two goals and have now won their past 77 games when netting at
least three.
Illinois jumps to
9-7-2 overall and 6-4-1 in Big Ten competition while Michigan drops to
13-4-2 overall and 7-2-2 in conference play.
Next up, Illinois
will look to repeat as Big Ten Tournament Champions as the eight team
tournament kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Indiana University. This
year, Illinois will enter as the five seed.
