Nov. 16, 2007
Box Score | VIDEO: Purdue Reacts Advancing in NCAA's
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - No. 8 Purdue (20-2-2) won its first NCAA Tournament match since 2003 with a 4-0 shutout of Oakland (10-8-2) Friday afternoon at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
The Boilermakers' last NCAA victory was against Western Michigan (W, 3-2) in the second round of the 2003 tournament at Champaign, Ill.
Purdue was blanked by the Oakland defense throughout the first half, but broke through during a four-goal second half, which included three scores within a six-minute span from the 78th to 84th minutes.
Purdue first lit the scoreboard in the 48th minute after Jessica Okoroafo headed in her ninth goal of the season.
Jessica Stellhorn was credited with the assist as Okoroafo bumped the service over the head of Oakland goalkeeper Elizabeth Watza from inside the six-yard box.
Stellhorn, recently selected as the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year, has provided five assists this season.
The Boilermakers' initial score helped open up the Oakland defense just enough to allow them to do what they do best - score goals.
Loredana Riverso provided back-to-back assists to Sylvia Forbes and Felicia Schroeder in the 78th and 82nd minutes, then scored her team-leading 13th goal of the year in the 84th minute off an assist from Kira Bilecky.
Riverso's assists were picture perfect, setting up her teammates for advantageous one-vs.-one situations against the Oakland goalkeeper. Forbes' and Schroeder's goals were both their fifth of the season.
Riverso's goal was her fifth in as many games, setting a new program record for the longest goal-scoring streak.
The previous record of four matches was first established by Jennie Moppert in 2000, and later matched by Shauna Stapleton and Riverso earlier this season.
Friday's shutout was Purdue's 13th of the season, breaking the old record of 12 set in 2006. Jenny Bradfisch and Carianne Betts combined for the shutout without having to make a save.
Purdue out shot Oakland 22-6 and held a 11-0 advantage in corner kicks. The Golden Grizzlies only fired six shots, three in each half.
The Boilermakers' NCAA second-round match against Indiana takes place Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Purdue leads its all-time series with the Hoosiers' 9-1-1.