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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Maddy Williams scored the game's lone goal to establish a new program record for points and goalkeeper Katie Luce made a big second-half save to preserve the shutout, leading Purdue women's soccer to a 1-0 win vs. Illinois on Thursday at Folk Field.
The Boilermakers (8-2-1, 3-0-1 B1G) remained unbeaten in Big Ten Conference play and at home all-time (7-0-3) against the Fighting Illini. Purdue moved into a first place tie with Penn State and Northwestern. The Wildcats visit Folk Field on Sunday.
Williams scored her league-leading ninth goal of the season and 33rd career. With 92 career points, she has eclipsed Lauren Sesselmann's team record that had stood since 2005. The Boilermakers scored 15 goals while posting a 5-1-1 record in September. Williams (7 goals, 5 assists) had a direct impact on 12 of the 15 goals, establishing all-time Purdue records for assists and points in the process.
In the 27th minute, Vanessa Korolas set up Williams' goal with a left-to-right cross into the heart of the 18-yard box. Without breaking stride, Williams used a one-touch flick to elevate the ball over the top of Illinois goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham.
ICYMI: Vanessa Korolas & Maddy Williams teamed up for a great goal & Katie Luce made a huge 2nd-half save in tonight's 1-0 win vs. Illinois. pic.twitter.com/AQAv3euzH2
-- Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) September 29, 2017
Cunningham made four quality second-half saves to keep it a one-goal game. And the Fighting Illini (3-10, 0-5 B1G) nearly found their equalizer in the 58th minute. Luce made the big save diving to her right, denying Katie Murray after a right-to-left cross into the heart of the 18-yard box led to Illinois' best scoring chance of the night.
Luce was issued a yellow card in the 78th minute when she knocked down an Illinois forward while leaving the penalty box. Luce opted to react aggressively to break up the developing opportunity for the visiting side. Patricia George missed high on the ensuring free kick from 20 yards out.
Cunningham made a pair of her diving saves on Kylie Hase headers off corner kicks. Purdue generated six second-half corners while not conceding one to the visitors over the final 45 minutes. Those saves were made in the 51st and 70th minutes. Cunningham also left her feet to deny Williams a second goal in the 57th minute and Hannah Melchiorre from scoring in the 85th minute.
.@GabsLaMere, @Mayal2929 & head coach Drew Roff discuss tonight's 1-0 win vs Illinois. #Purdue was 5-1-1 in September. Now 3-0-1 in Big Ten. pic.twitter.com/t1CzbyKwLf
-- Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) September 29, 2017
Sarah Clark, Maya Lambert, Gabby LaMere and Hannah Mussallem went the distance among the Purdue field players. Hase only left the field briefly in the second half after banging heads with an Illini player as they both rose up to win a ball in the air. Breana Robbins logged 23 minutes to lead the reserves and also had a solid scoring chance in the 40th minute, hitting the left side netting with a shot.
Williams scored her 12th career goal in Big Ten play, providing the offense in a 1-0 victory vs. Illinois for the second time in her career. She has scored five of her 11 career game-winning goals this season. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers extended their goal-scoring streaks to 10 consecutive games at Folk Field and 13 straight overall. Purdue has scored first in nine of its 11 games this year.
The Boilermakers have earned a point in each of their four Big Ten games for the first time since 2008, when they were also 3-0-1.
Sunday's game vs. Northwestern is slated for 1 p.m. ET kickoff.