Sept. 19, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - It was deja vu all over again for Purdue in its 1-0 win over Minnesota. Just like Friday's match against Iowa, Purdue was able to win Sunday's contest at the Varsity Soccer Complex with a corner kick goal headed in by a defender.
This time it was freshman Kira Bilecky who provided the heroics.
Bilecky's first career goal came off a Parrissa Eyorokon corner kick, in addition to a little assistance from Shauna Stapleton. The goal was scored in the 85th minute.
Stapleton was the first to make contact with Eyorokon's service and popped it over to Bilecky, who was making her third consecutive start at center back. With the ball airborne, Bilecky fought with two defenders for positioning in the goal box, and knocked it into the lower left corner of the net.
The game-winner bettered Purdue's win-loss record to 6-2 (2-0 Big Ten), and dropped Minnesota to 3-4 (0-2 Big Ten).
The loss spoiled a fine day for Minnesota goalkeeper Molly Schneider and her defense, which limited Purdue to a pair of shots on goal. The only Minnesota save was credited to Hailey McCarthy off a shot taken by Eyorokon in the first half.
The Boilermakers launched 22 shots, giving them four straight matches of 20-plus shots, but they had difficulty placing their blasts on target.
In the opening minutes of the second half, freshman Jordyn Shaffer was robbed of a goal by the crossbar, and Crystal Rivas and Lori Arnold had their shots blocked by defenders. Minutes later, an open shot by Jayme-Lee Biamonte from nine-yards back scooted left of the post by mere inches.
"We have to be more clinical on our finishes, because Ohio State and Penn State will not give us the same scoring opportunities we have had for the last two weeks," said head coach Rob Klatte, speaking about next week's opponents.
Stapleton led the team with five shots. Forwards Arnold and Eyorokon each had three.
Minnesota took 11 attempts, only two of which came in the second period. After getting the job done offensively, Bilecky cleared three balls out of the Purdue defensive end in the match's final minutes to lift Purdue's home record to 6-0.
The Boilermaker goalkeeping tandem of Lauren Mason and Maureen Carey combined for seven saves, but neither was challenged. Mason made the toughest save of the afternoon, catching a bullet from Becky Dellaria in the 19th minute.
The sophomore also ran out of the goal box to stuff a shot attempt from Haley Lentsch.
Carey received the win to lift her record to 4-1-0. The Wheaton, Ill., native has won her last four decisions after losing to Nebraska on Sept. 5.
"As a team, there are a lot of things we still need to get better at, primarily our finishes and overall team defense," said Klatte. "But if you look at the end results, the two wins and the six points are all we could have asked for."
Purdue hits the road later this week for games at No. 22 Ohio State and No. 5 Penn State. Purdue dropped a 2-1 decision to the Buckeyes last year at home, but upset the Nittany Lions, 3-1, in a rain-shortened match.