Aug. 29, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - After holding a 1-0 lead for most of the match, Purdue exploded for two goals in the final five minutes to beat New Mexico, 3-0, in the Boilermaker Challenge Cup Championship match. Purdue (2-0-0) has won its homegrown trophy four of the last six years, losing to SMU in 2001 and Drake in 2003. The Boilermakers first cracked the scoreboard in the 34th minute on a header by sophomore defender Kristin Lichtenberg. She is the second Purdue defender to score this weekend, following Kristin Hetzel's game-winning boot Saturday against Cincinnati. Lichtenberg's goal was set up by a New Mexico foul deep in Lobo territory. Junior midfielder Jayme-Lee Biamonte took the direct free kick, which found Lichtenberg in the goal box. The assist was the ninth of Biamonte's career, tying her for sixth place on Purdue's all-time career assist list. The Boilermakers continued to attack for the remainder of the first half and through the second period, but had difficulty padding their lead unitl late in the match. New Mexico also had trouble finding shooting space, as Purdue limited the Lobos to four shots in the second half, and nine for the match. Lichtenberg and her defensive line cohorts, Meghan Dybvig, Zarinah Blockton and Christy Riggle continually used their speed and agility to intercept passes and clear crosses. For her efforts on both sides of the field, Lichtenberg was selected as the tournament's Defensive Most Valuable Player. Offensive MVP honors went to Lori Arnold. And while she did not score Sunday, she did provide the shot that broke the game open. With less than five minutes to play, Arnold found herself at midfield trying to break away from a New Mexico defender. Seeing Lobo goalkeeper Kristen Winters running out of the goal box, Arnold punted the ball downfield towards the open net. Arnold's shot hit off the bottom of the right post, and before Winters and her defenders could retreat, Eyorokon netted the ball to give Purdue a 2-0 lead. Rebecca Robison put the match out of reach one minute later with her first career score. Robison was able to score her goal out of a rugby-style scrum, which took place in the New Mexico goal box. Purdue seemingly dominated all aspects of the match, outshooting the Lobos, 16-9, and 11-4 in the second half. There was equal distribution among the Boilermakers' attackers, as six players led the team with two shots each. Boilermaker goalkeepers Lauren Mason and Maureen Carey had a relatively easy day between the pipes. Mason started the match, making three saves; Carey came in at halftime and recorded one save. Purdue head coach Rob Klatte was impressed with his team's improvement from yesterday's match against Cincinnati. "I think we struggled in the opening game from an attacking standpoint," said Klatte. "We had trouble putting things together, and that was something the coaching staff addressed after the game. We talked over several issues, and the team did a much better job on the field with their verbal discussions and setting each other up. We stayed more compact and out-dueled New Mexico in the air and for second touches." Unfortunately, Purdue has little time this week to hone their skills. The team leaves Tuesday afternoon for a Wednesday match at No. 15 (NSCAA/adidas) West Virginia. This weekend, the Mountaineers beat Kentucky, 3-2 (2 OT), and Ohio, 7-0. Following the Morgantown visit, Purdue will briefly return home, before venturing to Nebraska next Sunday. "I told the team that, as the saying goes, it keeps getting tougher," said Klatte. "We will be playing two teams that will present much different problems for us. They are both very good and they'll show us some things we haven't seen yet." Purdue's next home match is Friday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. against Miami (Ohio). 2004 Boilermaker Challenge Cup
Team Champion: Purdue
Offensive MVP: Lori Arnold, Forward, Purdue
Defensive MVP: Kristin Lichtenberg, Defender, Purdue
All-Tournament Team
Lori Arnold (Purdue), Renee Balconi (Cincinnati), Maureen Carey (Purdue), Kim Comisar (Purdue), Meghan Dybivg (Purdue), Brittany Emerson (New Mexico) Kristin Lichtenberg (Purdue), Ashley Lowery (New Mexico), Amy Mink (Cincinnati), Rebecca Robison (Purdue) and Kristen Winters (New Mexico).