Sept. 24, 2015 Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - No. 11 Rutgers women's soccer suffered its first loss of the season Thursday night at Illinois by a 2-1 final. The Scarlet Knights responded with a goal from forward Cassie Inacio (Manalapan, N.J.) after going doing 1-0 in the 51st minute, but Illinois tallied the game-winner in the 81st to secure the win.
The Big Ten Network televised match at the Illinois Soccer Complex went into halftime scoreless with each side earning quality chances on net.
But it was Illinois' Allison Stucky that broke the game open in the 51st minute, sneaking the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murphy (Bridgewater, N.J.) on a corner kick from the far side. The goal ended the program's record scoreless streak at 770:16 minutes to open the season.
Inacio lifted the Scarlet Knights (8-1, 1-1 Big Ten) with a highlight-reel goal in the 63rd minute, receiving a ball from senior Hayley Katkowski (Westford, Mass.) along the far side of the 18 before bending it into the back of the net. The goal was Inacio's team-leading third of the season, as she is now tied for the RU lead with seven points (3g, 1a).
Kara Marbury got the last word for Illinois (7-2-1, 1-1-1 Big Ten) in the 81st minute, beating Murphy on a quick shot in front for the game-winner. Despite the two goals allowed, Murphy made four saves in the loss.
RU outshot Illinois, 15-13, and outgained the Fighting Illini in corners, 7-5.
Rutgers returns to action Sunday against Northwestern at Toyota Field in Bridgeview, Ill. The Scarlet Knights will look to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Wildcats at home last season.
Game Notes
- Rutgers' record scoreless streak ended at 770:16 consecutive minutes to open the season.
- Illinois evens the all-time series with Rutgers at 1-1 after falling to the Scarlet Knights by a 2-1 score on Oct. 17, 2014.
- Inacio's goal was her team-leading third this season and fourth of her career. She has seven points.
- Katkowski's assist was her first this season and third of her career.
- Katkowski started her 73rd consecutive game for Rutgers since her career began in 2012.
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