Oct. 24, 2004
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Prior to Sunday's match with Indiana State, Purdue head coach Rob Klatte said the Boilermakers' march to the NCAA Tournament started this week. His team responded with a 2-0 win over the Sycamores, lifting the club's overall record to 9-8.
The Boilermakers scored one of their fastest goals of the season in the fifth minute, as Meghan Dybvig connected with Lori Arnold. Dybivg drove the ball down deep into ISU territory, turned the corner at the goal line and dropped the ball back to Arnold inside the goal box. Arnold one-timed the shot into the right side, for her third goal of the season, tying her with Parrissa Eyorokon for the team lead.
Four minutes later Purdue scored their second goal, converting a Jayme-Lee Biamonte corner kick from the left side. Kira Bilecky attemped to head the corner in on the fly, but her shot hit left post and bounced out to Shauna Stapelton, who drilled the rebound in from two-yards out.
The Boilermakers continued their attack throughout the first period, finishing with 10 shots to ISU's three. Syacmore goalkeeper Rachel Rudzis, who was victimized early on, made such clutch saves late in the period, snaring shots taken by Dybvig, Stapleton and Crystal Rivas. The Boilermakers also were presented with four corner kick opportunities.
Purdue starter Lauren Mason was only forced to make one save in the first half, while facing just three shots. ISU's Nichole Tiggs had a chance to get her club on the board midway through the first, but her header sailed wide left.
In the second half, the offensive fireworks from both teams were extinguished, as the Boilermakers were held to five shots, while the Sycamores were completely shut down. In fact, ISU could not penetrate its third of the field until the 55th minute.
Indiana State had a few scoring chances, but second half goalkeeper Maureen Carey made a few clutch moves to preserve the shutout. Carey came out to take the ball away from a charging Tiggs, punched out a direct free kick and later caught a cross at the left post. On ISU's second corner kick of the period, Rebecca Robison headed the ball back towards midfield.
Purdue's best scoring chances in the second period also were on corner kicks, but could not convert like they did early in the match. Biamonte also had a couple of nice looks, but both her shots traveled wide of the net.
The Boilermakers conclude their 2004 home schedule Thursday with a 3 p.m. home match against non-conference opponent Oakland. The team's season finale will be played Saturday at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.