Sept. 5, 2008
Box Score
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Cory Steigerwald's second half goal lifted No. 11 Illinois to a 2-1 victory over Washington State in nonconference women's soccer at the First Tennessee Lady Vol Classic, Friday.
Steigerwald's game-winner came at 66:24 and broke a 1-1 tie. Mallory Fox tied the game for Washington State (1-1-2) when she converted a penalty kick at 55:27 for her first goal of the season.
"There is no harm in defeat provided it improves us and we progress," Cougar Assistant Coach Jason Goodson said. "I thought we played well enough to earn a point. Take nothing away from Illinois; it is an outstanding team that will make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament."
The Fighting Illini (4-0-0) took a 1-0 lead when Marissa Mykines took a pass from Laura Knutson and buried it into the upper-right corner at 31:23.
Just prior to Illinois's first goal, the Cougars had a chance to score when Carly Dobratz's shot from just inside the 18-yard box hit the crossbar and Emma Stolz's attempt on the rebound was saved by Alexandra Kapicka.
The loss snapped the Cougars' six-match unbeaten streak on a neutral field. WSU will have a chance to start a new streak, Sunday against No. 13 West Virginia.
