Oct. 23, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue's two Laurens helped give the Boilermakers a 3-1 win over Illinois Sunday at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Sesselmann, the senior forward, scored two goals, and Mason, the junior goalkeeper, tied a career best with 10 saves.
Sesselmann started the Boilermakers' scoring run in the 13th minute, heading in a Jessica Okoroafo service from inside the goal box. Team co-captain Rebecca Robison initiated the goal after intercepting an Illinois pass at midfield, then turned around and slotted it over to Okoroafo, charging down the right side.
Okoroafo dribbled the ball down past a defender, before popping it over to Sesselmann, who collided with Illinois goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens as she headed the ball over her shoulder.
The collision knocked Carstens out of the game, who finished with one save and a goal allowed.
Purdue struck again in the 26th minute with a goal headed in by Okoroafo. The Boilermakers' second score was similar to their first, as Sesselmann took the ball deep into the right corner before pushing it back up to Jill Sarbaugh, who lofted her pass straight up to Okoroafo in the goal box.
Okoroafo's 10th goal of 2005 tied Sesselmann's team record for most goals scored in a season.
"We came out and played a great first half against a quality opponent," said Purdue head coach Rob Klatte. "We were clinical in front of the goal, received quality services and always had strong numbers in the box. I think we would have moved the ball better in the second period, but we still had mud in our legs from Friday."
Purdue entered halftime with a 2-0 lead, which sent a furious Illinois offense into overdrive.
The Fighting Illini began the second period swarming about the Boilermakers' net, blasting shot after shot; but Mason kept the attackers at bay with her saving capabilities. One of Mason's best moves came midway through the second period, sliding upfield to tip the ball away from Eva Strickland, right as the Illinois forward crossed into the goal box.
Mason's toughness also was on display after being grounded by Ella Massar in a mid-air collision. Despite being knocked down, Mason quickly jumped to her feet in order to stop a Charlotte Cooke shot taken from point-blank range.
"Mason was a wall," said Klatte. "She is mentally tough, and made the saves that helped us win this game. She was quick off the line, defended her back well, and stopped all the shots she should have - she was perfect."
Klatte also gave praise to midfielders Shauna Stapleton and Rebecca Robison for the job they did in filling in for an injured Jordyn Shaffer.
"Both of the them were brilliant in Jordyn's place at defenisve midfield," said Klatte. "Becca has proven to be the heart and soul of this team. Twice she a took a dribble straight through the Illinois defense, and her feed to Jessica on that first goal was fantastic."
With the Illinois attack at full force in the second period, the Boilermakers received a much-needed insurance goal from Sesselmann in the 54th minute. Sarbaugh was credited with the assist after poking the ball to Sesselmann in between two Illini center backs. The senior quickly moved the ball around backup goalkeeper Rachel Frank in the penalty box to score her ninth goal of the season.
Mason was minutes away from recording her fourth shutout of the year, but Jessica Bayne punched back her own rebound to put Illinois on the board in the 82nd minute. Bayne, who led all players with nine shots, had her first attempt blocked by Kira Bilecky, but the ball rolled right back and she blasted a sharp diagonal from eight-yards back.
Illinois outshot Purdue, 24-15, for the game and 14-5 in the second half. Purdue also was outshot in recent wins over Wisconsin and Northwestern.
Sunday's win raised the 20th-ranked Boilermakers' overall record to 11-6 and 7-2 in the Big Ten. The seven conference wins are the most ever by a Purdue team in one season.
As a result of Michigan State's 3-0 loss to Penn State Sunday, the Boilermakers moved back into second place and are currently two points ahead of the Spartans with one game remaining. Purdue needs either a win or tie at Indiana, or a Michigan State loss or tie against Michigan, in order to clinch second place.
The Boilermakers wrap up their regular season Thursday night at 7 p.m., in the annual "Golden Boot" match with the Hoosiers. The regular-season finale can be heard live on 1410 WLAS-AM or via the World Wide Web at purduesports.com.
The Big Ten Tournament starts Nov. 3 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.