Soccer Drops 2-1 Battle To No. 13 Illinois

Friday, August 28

Denver, Colo.

4 p.m.

Colorado

1-1-0

Illinois

2-0-0

Illinois

Colorado

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

August 28, 2009 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Allie Musso, Assistant SID

DENVER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 battle to 13th-ranked Illinois on the first day of the DU Invitational here Friday afternoon.

Colorado (1-1, 1-0 Big 12) would dominate a majority of the game's possession, but Illinois was able to limit CU's chances, while improving to 2-0 on the young season.

"We certainly had our opportunities and chances early on, but we didn't finish," said head coach Bill Hempen. "But, they hung in there and we were able to get that goal.

"They (Illinois) did a great job of taking the game away from us," added Hempen. "They connected passes and played smart balls while we were a little more frantic, which cost us in the end."

Colorado would dominate a majority of the first half, and CU's first solid opportunity to score came early in the half. Freshman Lauren Shaner carried the ball down to the goal line and sent a cross into the middle of the goal on the ground. An Illinois defender attempted to clear the ball but it found the feet of sophomore Kate Russell 18 yards out. Russell fired a hard shot toward the goal that just missed wide.

Illinois would use a brief surge of momentum in the 31st minute to get on the board first. Courtney Bell sent a through-pass to Jordan Hilbrands who fought to keep possession over CU defender Kelci Newlin. Hilbrands managed to pull off a shot around a diving Kara Linder, giving the Illini a 1-0 lead.

The first half wrapped up with Colorado outshooting Illinois seven to six, and the Buffs recorded three corner kicks to the Orange and Blue's zero.

Illinois struck again in the 53rd minute as Hilbrands carried the ball up the through the Colorado defense into the box, and buried her second goal of the game in the back right corner of the net for her third goal of the season.

Senior Nikki Marshall, who started the game in the defense and moved up to forward halfway through the second half, nearly got the Buffs a goal with eight minutes to play, but her shot missed just inches high of the crossbar.

With just 58 seconds left on the clock, Colorado showed that they were not going to let up as sophomore Kassidy Fitzpatick was left unmarked at the top of the box. Fitzpatrick fired her first shot and was blocked by an Illinois defender but the rebound came right back to her feet and she one touched it again right over the extended hands of Illini keeper Alexandra Kapicka, pulling the Buffs within one.

"I was just in the right position and I was very eager to score," said Fitzpatrick. "I was trying to find that channel between their defense and Nikki found me. I was lucky that I got that second chance and stayed with it and I found a place in the net."

Colorado was unable to find the back of the net a second time, despite outshooting Illinois 16-14. Both goalkeepers recorded three saves each.

"I think as a team we need to find a way to hold on to our opponents for 90 minutes," added Fitzpatrick. "We just need to get our heads in the same place and be able to finish strong."

The game was a first for freshman Bricker as she recorded her first career start for the Buffaloes at forward.

Colorado will return to Denver on Sunday, Aug. 30 when they take on St. Mary's on the final day of the DU Invitational at 11 a.m.