Soccer team grinds out tie

Watch video of the Illinois soccer team here.

CHAMPAIGN – Minnesota's offense kept Illini keeper Alexandra Kapicka busy Sunday during the Illinois soccer team's Big Ten opener.

Kapicka turned away seven shots, and Christina Sahly and Jackie Santacaterina scored goals as the Illini and Gophers tied 2-2.

"This was a typical Big Ten battle that went both ways," Illini coach Janet Rayfield said. "Whoever came out with the ball created chances on goal. We didn't create enough chances because they won the battle in the midfield. We just didn't have the ball enough."

In front of 2,347 fans – the second-largest crowd in school history – Sahly scored in the 17th minute to give the Illini (5-3-2, 0-0-1) the early momentum.

But the Gophers struck back before halftime, then scored moments after the break to take a 2-1 lead.

Santacaterina answered three minutes later, and the teams remained that way for the final 41 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods.

The Illini had two near-misses in the end of regulation and then dominated in overtime with shots by Marissa Mykines, Cory Steigerwald and Courtney Bell. But the Illini couldn't break through for the winning tally.

"I told our team that the team who finishes at the top of the Big Ten standings will be grinders," Rayfield said. "We grinded out a tie today, now we need to grind out some wins."

Illinois was outshot 9-5.

In women's golf:

Illini in sixth. Illini sophomore Maureen Liddy is tied for sixth at even par midway through the second round of the Lady Northern in Madison, Wis.

Illinois (12 over) fired a 300 in the first round and is tied for sixth.

The tournament, which features all 11 Big Ten teams, is held annually at the site of the Big Ten championship.

The second round was suspended due to darkness, and the three-round event will conclude today.

"The first round was solid," Illinois coach Renee Slone said. "We made a lot of birdies, which was good to see and necessary if we're going to consistently shoot in the 290s and even the high 280s. We'll try to pick up where we left off tomorrow."

Sophomore Samantha Sloan is tied for 16th at 2 over.

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