Moline's Musings
Soccer Tuesday 10-20 (Updated)
Posted by: Brian Moline
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:10 AM
Illini Recap
The Illinois soccer team got a much-needed win on Saturday at Iowa, defeating the Hawkeyes 3-1. What made the win even better was that the Illini were able to come from behind and win for the first time this season. Illinois got goals from sophomore Julie Ewing, and juniors Laura Knutson and Krystin Miller. Ewing also assisted on Knutson's go-ahead goal late in the first half. Statistically, the Illini controlled the match, outshooting the Hawkeyes 16-9, while putting eight of those shots on goal. Illinois also held the edge in corner kicks, totalling ten corners to Iowa's four.
A few other items of note from Saturday night's game:
* Senior Brittany Garrett got her second start of the season at right outside back and played the entire 90 minutes, getting off one shot.
* The bench was very productive for Illinois, as Knutson scored the game-winner and fired three shots, all on frame. Sophomore Jenna Carosio also made the most of her 58 minutes, shooting twice, with both shots on target.
* All four starting defenders (Garrett, Ewing, Miller, Danielle Kot) played the full 90 minutes.
Big Ten Wrapup
Thursday 10/15:
Friday 10/16:
Saturday 10/17:
Sunday 10/18:
Northwestern 1 Michigan State 0
Best Weekend: There are a few options here, but I'll go with Ohio State. After two lackluster performances at home against Iowa and Northwestern, the Buckeyes came out strong this weekend, going undefeated at Wisconsin and Minnesota, two difficult places to play. Ohio State is now tied with Penn State for the conference lead.
Worst Weekend: Michigan State. The Spartans followed up a lackluster win at Loyola with a 1-0 loss to Northwestern. More importantly, they may have lost the returning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year for significant time with an injury. In an interview with campus newspaper "The State News," coach Tom Saxton said that Heyboer suffered a "severely sprained ankle" in warmups before the Northwestern match. Sparty was already struggling with injuries, but without Heyboer it would be tough to right the ship in time to salvage an NCAA Tournament berth.
Big Ten Standings
| Big Ten | Overall | ||||
| Team | Record | Pct. | Pts. | Record | Pct. |
| 1. Ohio State | 4-1-1 | .750 | 13 | 11-2-2 | .800 |
| Penn State | 4-1-1 | .750 | 13 | 8-5-2 | .600 |
| 3. Wisconsin | 3-1-3 | .643 | 12 | 7-5-4 | .563 |
| 4. Purdue | 3-1-2 | .667 | 11 | 8-3-3 | .679 |
| 5. Minnesota | 3-2-1 | .583 | 10 | 10-4-2 | .688 |
| 6. Northwestern | 2-3-1 | .417 | 7 | 5-8-2 | .400 |
| 7. Michigan State | 1-2-2 | .400 | 5 | 8-2-4 | .714 |
| Illinois | 1-2-2 | .400 | 5 | 6-5-3 | .536 |
| Indiana | 1-2-2 | .400 | 5 | 9-3-2 | .714 |
| 10. Michigan | 0-2-3 | .300 | 3 | 5-7-3 | .433 |
| 11. Iowa | 0-5-0 | .000 | 0 | 8-7-0 | .533 |
RPI Says
Illinois is hovering in the upper 30's in the NCAA's latest RPI report, released yesterday. The Illini are listed at #39 in this week's report, which is a primary criteria for selection in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships next month. That ranking likely puts Illinois squarely on the bubble for an at-large selection, but the Illini will have ample opportunity to raise that number this week with games against conference leaders Ohio State and Penn State. Other Big Ten teams check in as follows:
17. Penn State
18. Ohio State
28. Purdue
30. Indiana
32. Wisconsin
37. Minnesota
39. Illinois
53. Michigan State
71. Northwestern
76. Michigan
108. Iowa
What's On Tap
Another lackluster weekend of picks, as I just haven't been able to figure out the league this season. Everyone seems to be pretty evenly matched, as the above RPI rankings seem to indicate. I went 3-2-3 picking league games last week, bringing my season total to 14-8-9. My picks to win in bold.
Thursday 10/22:
Ohio State at Illinois. Was Saturday's win at Iowa the start of something good for the Illini? This one will be a tough test, as Ohio State played very well at Minnesota and Wisconsin last weekend. I'd go the other way if this one was at Columbus.
Northwestern at Iowa. Iowa is overdue to pick up their first conference win. I think they get it at home against the Wildcats.
Friday 10/23:
Minnesota at Michigan. Chances are this one ends in a scoreless tie (see Indiana), but if anyone will score, it will be the Gophers.
Wisconsin at Michigan State. Sparty was struggling anyway, but no Heyboer = no win here.
Sunday 10/25:
Illinois at Penn State. Can't go against the Nittany Lions at home. It's always a tough road trip for teams west of Ohio.
Minnesota at Michigan State. See my comments from Friday's game. The Spartans don't have their usual firepower up top.
Iowa at Indiana. The Hoosiers will get back on the winning track against last place Iowa.
Wisconsin at Michigan. The young Badgers are believing, and they won't back down against a physical Michigan squad.
UPDATE: I forgot a game, and it's a big one. Purdue at Ohio State. I'm looking forward to this one, as both sides have been very solid defensively this season. I'll go with the Buckeyes at home.
To the Polls
NSCAA Great Lakes Top 10. The Illini are #8.
Coverage This Week
WDWS will carry Thursday's Ohio State match on tape delay. The 6pm match will be played back right after the Ron Zook Show at 8pm. Former Illini Kristy Weeks will once again join me on the broadcast. In addition, I'll be talking to sophomore defender Julie Ewing this week, which will air on Sportstalk with Steve Kelly at about 5:45pm on Thursday. Thanks for reading.
bmoline@wdws.com
Comments
Be the first to share your opinion!
Add a Comment
Previous Entries
- 11/19/2009
Catching Up - 11/6/2009
Soccer Finale Tonight - 11/3/2009
Promotion for Perry - More…