Nov. 14, 2008

After 90 minutes of regulation and 12 minutes of overtime Jordan Hilbrands of Illinois fired a shot past Memphis goalie Elis Kuhar-Pitters to give the Fighting Illini a first round NCAA Regional victory, 1-0, over the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers and Illini traveled to Columbia, MO. for a neutral setting in first round action of the NCAA Regionals. The University of Missouri played host for the weekend competition. Games will be held at Walton Stadium on the Mizzou campus. The first match-up of the weekend paired Memphis (15-4-2) and Illinois (11-8-1) and began at 4:00 p.m. CST, Friday (Nov. 14).

With a strong defensive effort on both sides the game remained scoreless through the 90-minute regulation period. Illinois' goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka was asked to save just one shot-on-goal from Memphis in the first period and one shot in the second. Tiger goalie Kuhar-Pitters rejected a shot from Hilbrands in the 38th minute of play to record her third save of the period. Kuhar-Pitters saved five shots on the evening.

Though Memphis was able to get three shots off on Illinois in the last three minutes of regulation the Tigers failed to send one past Kapicka and the game was sent into overtime.

The defense held strong through the first overtime and the game was forced into a second overtime period.

In the 102nd minute of play Chichi Nweke, who leads the Illini with six goals on the season, opted to pass the ball Hilbrand's way. Hilbrand was able to shoot one past Tiger's goalkeeper giving Illinois the victory. The goal marked Hilbrand's second of the season and her career.

The win advances Illinois to Sunday's (Nov. 16) regional championship match held at Walton Stadium. The game will begin at 1:00 p.m. CST.