Illinois Slips Past Badgers 2-1
October 03, 2003 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team snapped Illinois' shutout string at five matches Friday night, but the Illini struck for a pair of second-half goals to rally for a 2-1 win at the McClimon Complex.
The loss was the fourth straight by the Badgers who fall to 5-6-1 overall and 1-4-0 in the Big Ten. Illinois, undefeated in its last six contests, improved to 7-2-1 and 3-0-1.
UW jumped out to an early lead in the sixth minute of play as Marla Froelich scored her second goal of the season off Katy Lindenmuth's team-leading fourth assist. Lindenmuth made a long run from beyond midfield along the left sideline, got deep into the flank and served a perfect ball to Froelich who hit a one-timer past Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia for the goal. It was the first goal the Illini have allowed in 475 minutes dating back nearly a month to a Sept. 7 match against Auburn.
The Badgers held a slim 4-2 edge in shots in the opening half, three of which were by Froelich.
Whatever Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield told her team at halftime certainly got its attention as the visitors came out flying in the second half. Wisconsin continued its costly habit of allowing goals in the early stages of a half as the Illini tied the score just 37 seconds into half No. 2. Brittany Ward served a cross to Tiffany Walker who put the shot past UW keeper Stefani Szczechowski for her fourth goal of the season, notting the score 1-1.
Illinois went on to control the majority of the second half and eventually got the game-winner at the 73:06 mark. Christen Karniski served a ball into the box for Jessica Bayne who flicked the ball over the outstretched arm of Szczechowski for her fourth tally of the year.
In all, the Illini held a dominating 11-2 edge in shots in the second half for a 13-6 advantage for the match. The visitors also had a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.
Wisconsin will shoot to get back on the winning track when it plays host to Northwestern at 1 p.m. Sunday.
