Oct. 2, 2009
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 12th-ranked Purdue women's soccer team moved back into first place in the Big Ten with a 1-0 win over Illinois on Friday at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
"I thought we had some key, timely performances," head coach Robert Klatte said. "I thought we were really good over the first 30 minutes of the game. We stretched them out and really posed them some problems, but we struggled to get that final, decisive ball in behind their defense and get someone latched onto it."
Purdue (7-2-2, 2-0-1) held possession for the majority of the first half. The Boilermakers had the first legitimate scoring chance by either team, but a shot by sophomore Katie Leinert that appeared to be headed toward an open net was knocked away by an Illinois defender.
The only goal was scored by junior Roya Akhavain, who came in the game with less than two minutes to play in the first half and scored 34 seconds after entering. Freshman Vanessa Ibewuike crossed a ball from the right side into the box and Akhavain was found open from 12 yards out. The Escondido, Calif., native sent a rocket into the top of the net for her first career goal. Ibewuike moved into the team lead with her fourth assist of 2009.
"Losing to them last year (in the Big Ten Tournament) kept us from getting in the NCAA Tournament, so this was a big game for us" Akhavain said. "This was a big game to win. Whether I'm in the game for 40 minutes or five minutes, every moment is an opportunity. You have to capitalize on every moment you can. Regardless of whether it was the game-winning goal or not, just being able to capitalize and score a goal was great."
Illinois (5-4-2, 0-1-1) was unable to put much pressure on the Boilermaker net, but did control possession for a segment of the second half. The Fighting Illini's best chance to score came with less than six minutes to play. After a cross that forced goalkeeper Jenny Bradfisch out of the net to punch it away, Illinois retained possession inside the penalty box but could not get a shot on goal.
Senior co-captain Bradfisch made four saves while earning the shutout. The reigning co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week recorded the 13th clean sheet of her career, which places her third on Purdue's all-time career shutouts list. Sylvia Forbes, Lauren Montenegro, Brookley Rogers, Liz Secue and Alexis Tryba also played the entire 90 minutes in helping the Boilermakers shut out an opponent for the second consecutive game and fourth time this season.
The rough-and-tumble game ended with each team being shown a yellow card. Caitlin Dombart was given the first caution of the game after sliding into Purdue junior Jessica Stellhorn in the 13th minute. Purdue senior Katie Seeger was given her first yellow of the season in the 77th minute. The two teams also combined for 26 fouls.
Purdue improved to 4-0-2 in West Lafayette against the Fighting Illini and have taken three of the last four games in the series. The Boilermakers are now 4-0-1 at home this season and have outscored their opponents 14-2 at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Purdue and Minnesota are tied atop the Big Ten standings with seven points each after the Golden Gophers picked up a 2-1 win at Wisconsin on Thursday.
"We were lucky in that a ball found Roya for a one-timer that she put in the back of the net," Klatte said. "That really steeled us for the second half. We changed things up to close up shop in the back, and I think that really posed Illinois a lot of problems. They had a bit of a run, but you expect that while trying to sit on a lead. Our goalkeeper did a fantastic job of coming up and dealt with several key shots and the one cross that she came out and got a great clearance on. We didn't leak any goals, and that makes all the difference. When you can score one and sit on that one-goal lead, you're going to be a tough team to beat."
Purdue plays host again Sunday when 20th-ranked Michigan State comes to town. Tickets are only $1, and fans are encouraged to wear pink and help break the Varsity Soccer Complex attendance record. The Boilermakers also are wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Live results and a live radio broadcast can be found at PurdueSports.com.