Hey Hot Shots!

After a whirlwind season that saw game-winning headers, thunderstorms, and an endless supply of potato chips, we’ve finally arrived at the final home game of the year.  Let’s come out one more time on Friday and cheer these talented ladies on as they make a push for the postseason.  

Not only will the game be televised LIVE on the Big Ten Network, but we will also be holding a Hot Shots costume contest with awesome prizes such as Ohio State football tickets, Gameday Spirit giftcards, autographed soccer balls, and much more.  In addition to all that fun, DIA is sponsoring an auction where you can bid on autographed Illini memorabilia, including jerseys signed by Bruce Weber, Ron Zook, and former Illini soccer great Ella Masar.

To recap…

What:  Illini Soccer vs. Purdue
When:  Friday @ 5 PM (***NOTE THE EARLY START TIME!***)
Where:  Illini Soccer and Track Stadium
Weekend Preview:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/102908aaa.html

GO ILLINI!

After a tough 2-0 loss to Penn State on Friday that saw their 13 game home winning streak snapped, the Illini soccer team rebounded with a 2-0 victory over Ohio State on Sunday.  The squad got goals from Chichi Nweke (her team leading sixth of the season) and Laura Knutson (her first of the season).

The orange and blue will cap off the regular season at home next Friday vs. Purdue at 7 PM.  The game will be televised on the Big ten Network, and we will be having a Hot Shots costume contest with some awesome prizes for the best dressed.  Come out and support the team in their final home game of the year!

Hey Hot Shots!

Remember when we said that the last pair of home games were the biggest of the year?  Well…we lied!  The Illini are in the hunt for a Big Ten title and will look to defend their 13 game home winning streak this weekend.  On Friday, Penn State comes to town.  For those who don’t know the soccer scene, the Nittany Lions have been a powerhouse lately, winning the last 10 Big Ten soccer titles.  Now seems like a great time to put an end to that streak!  And if that didn’t grab you, here’s some more reasons to come to the games this weekend…

*  On Friday, there will be FREE PIZZA before the game for all students.  What college student doesn’t love free food?
*  Friday is also an “Orange Out” game where the team is encouraging all fans to dress in orange.  The first lucky fans through the gates will get free thundersticks and t-shirts.
*  For Sunday’s game, the team is encouraging all fans to wear pink to raise support for breast cancer awareness.  It’s “Bring Your Dog to the Park” day, too…so bring your four legged friend out for some great soccer!
*  Hot Shots T-shirts are going fast!  Remember, you only have to come to two games for a short sleeve tee and four games for a long sleeve tee.
*  And as always, you’ll get a copy of the wildly popular “Net News” soccer newsletter.  Read up and find out why the PSU soccer team may be involved in a lawsuit with Will Ferrell.

To recap:

What:  Illini Soccer vs. Penn State & Ohio State
When:  Friday @ 7 PM & Sunday at 1 PM
Where:  Illini Soccer and Track Stadium
Weekend Previews:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/102308aaa.html
http://www.illinihq.com/podcasts/illini_sports/2008/10/23/684

GO ILLINI!

There’s been so much Illini soccer news lately that the average fan can barely keep up. Here’s a rundown of the past few days’ events…

* The team climbed three spots in this week’s national rankings, checking in at #16.

* Senior Emily Zurrer completed a sweep of weekly awards as she was named to the team of the week by Soccer America, Top Drawer Soccer, and Soccer Buzz. She was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

* Former Illini great Ella Masar was drafted to the Chicago Red Stars in Women’s Professional Soccer on Monday. Masar is the first Illini soccer player in program history to be drafted.

* The Big Ten Network announced that it will televise two Illini games this season. The first will be next Sunday, October 19th, as the team travels to Indiana, and the second will be on October 31st when Purdue comes to Champaign.

Congrats to Ella and the current Illini on all their accomplishments this week. Be sure to tune in to the Indiana game next Sunday and be watching your inbox for an e-mail regarding the next set of home games vs. Penn State and Ohio State. For those who don’t know the soccer scene, Penn State has won the Big Ten soccer title for the past 10 years, so needless to say this year’s game will be HUGE!

GO ILLINI!

There’s been no place like home lately for the Illini soccer team as they secured victories over both of their opponents this weekend en route to extending their home win streak to 13 games.  Even more impressive is that 12 of those 13 wins have been shutouts.

On Friday, goals by Marissa Mykines, Emily Zurrer, and Chichi Nweke gave the orange and blue a 3-0 win over Michigan State.  Jordan Hilbrands provided the offense on Sunday as her goal propelled the Illini to a 1-0 victory over Michigan.  The goal was the first of Hilbrands’ career.  Click the links below for game recaps:

MSU:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/100308aaa.html
MICH:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/100508aaa.html

Road contests now await the Illini as they’ll travel to Iowa and Minnesota next weekend.  They’ll be back at the frendly confines of the Illinois Soccer & Track Stadium on October 24th to take on perennial Big Ten powerhouse Penn State.

Hey Hot Shots!

To say that the Illini soccer team is on a roll would be a HUGE understatement!  The team is currently 7-4 overall, tied for 3rd place in the Big Ten, ranked 21st nationally, and racking up weekly awards like its nobody’s business.  Throw in an 11 game home winning streak and its obvious why you’d want to come out to the games this weekend.  But just in case that didn’t grab you, here’s some more reasons…

*  Friday will be the official Block I night at soccer.  Stop by, cheer on the team, and get your coveted road trip point.
*  Sunday will be the annual Soccerfest Game with pregame entertainment and FREE FOOD FOR ALL STUDENTS!
*  Hot Shots T-shirts are in!  Come to just two games to get a short sleeve tee and four games for a 3/4 sleeve tee.
*  And as always, you’ll get a copy of the wildly popular “Net News” soccer newsletter, with the juiciest tidbits on our opponents for your heckling pleasure.

To recap:

What:  Illini Soccer vs. Michigan State & Michigan
When:  Friday @ 7 PM & Sunday at 1 PM (Soccerfest before the game on Sunday)
Where:  Illini Soccer & Track Stadium (check the illinipride.com forums for a map)

GO ILLINI!

Goals by Jessica Levitt and Marti Desjarlais propelled the #17 ranked Illini to a 2-1 Big Ten opening win Friday night vs. Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, the orange and blue couldn’t keep the momentum going on Sunday as they were upset by the Northwestern Wildcats, 1-0.  Click the links below for recaps.

WISC:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/092708aaa.html
NW:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/092808aaa.html

The Illini now stand at 7-4 and will return home this weekend for big games vs. Michigan State on Friday and Michigan on Sunday.  Friday’s game will be the official Block I night at soccer, and Sunday is the annual Soccefest game with pregame entertainment and free food for all fans.  You won’t want to miss either of these exciting contests.  Check this space later in the week for more info on the games.

The Big Ten season is officially here, and the Fighting Illini soccer team will start it off on the road this weekend.  The #17 nationally ranked Illini will take on Wisconsin at 7 PM on Friday before traveling to Evanston to face the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday at 1 PM.  Click the link below for a preview.

http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/092408aaa.html

The home winning streak is now up to 11 as the Illini soccer team blanked both of their opponents this weekend.  The squad notched a 2-0 win over Colorado College Friday night and followed that up with a 3-0 victory over Washington on Sunday.  Click the links below for game recaps:

CC:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/091908aaa.html
Wash:  http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/092108aaa.html

The orange and blue will be back on the road next weekend to take on Wisconsin and Northwestern.  They’ll return home on October 3rd to take on Michigan State in their Big Ten home opener.  October 3rd will also be the official Block I Night at soccer, so be sure to stop by and get your roadtrip point!

Hey Hot Shots!  

After a three week hiatus (much too long in my opinion), Illini Soccer is BACK in Champaign!  The squad is currently ranked #23 in the nation and off to their best start in years.  And as they continue to step up their game on the field, we need to step up ours too!  That means being loud and crazy as we cheer these talented ladies on!  As if seeing the Illini defend their nine game home winning streak wasn’t enough, here’s some more reasons to come out to the games this weekend…

*  There will be FREE FOOD AND T-SHIRTS for the first lucky fans who come through the gates Friday night.
*  You can read up on the wildly popular “Net News” soccer newsletter, with the juiciest information on our opponents for your heckling pleasure.
*  On Sunday, we will be having our first Hot Shots Crazy Fan Contest!  The fan who is the loudest, craziest, and most energetic wins a $50 giftcard to Gameday Spirit!

To recap:

What:  Illini Soccer vs. Colorado College & Washington
When:  Friday @ 7 PM and Sunday @ 1 PM
Where:  Illini Soccer and Track Stadium (check the IP forums for a map)

GO ILLINI!