Speedy Illini Take Out Spartans, 3-0

Oct. 13, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Two first half goals, one each by speedy forwards Ella Masar and Chichi Nweke, helped lift Illinois to a 3-0 win over Michigan State in Big Ten action at Old College Field, on a blustery, cold and drizzling Friday afternoon. The loss drops the Spartans to 5-8-1 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten action while Illinois, ranked 24th in the latest NSCAA poll, improves to 9-5 and 5-1 in Big Ten play.

"I thought for the first 15 minutes we played some of the best soccer of the year," head coach Tom Saxton said. "Their speed hurt us and that was really the story of the game, but for parts of the first and second half, we did some really nice things."

The Spartans fell behind in the 26th minute, as Ella Masar got a turnover near midfield and scooted past the defense and beat the keeper inside the goalbox. The Illini added another goal before half when Kara Gostisha delivered a give inside the 18-yard box to Chichi Nweke, who put the ball into the right corner. The Spartans kept pressure on the Illini for much of the first half, taking five shots, two on goal, but couldn't beat the keeper.

Illinois added another score in the 72nd minute, as Jessica Bayne found the back of the net, one of eight Illini shots in the period. Ella Masar and Kristy Weeks assisted on the play.

Junior Nicole Galas (Sterling Heights, Mich./Bishop Foley) made four saves in goal, giving her 56 saves on the season for the Spartans. Lindsey Carstens also stopped four shots, three from freshman Lauren Hill (Northville, Mich./Northville), to earn the shutout for Illinois.

Michigan State will look to get back on the winning track on Sunday when it hosts Iowa in a 12 p.m. Big Ten match at Old College Field.