CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois soccer team failed to find the back of the net Sunday in a 1-0 soccer loss to Wisconsin.

The Badgers, who had lost seven straight against Illinois (5-5-3) dating back to 2002, got the winner from Laurie Nosbusch in the 60th minute.

Illini, Hoosiers play to draw in soccer

Spartans claim five-set thriller

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Illinois began its first Big Ten road trip on a sour note.

CHAMPAIGN – When teammates tease Danielle Kot about being the iron woman of the Illinois soccer team, there's more to it than the junior's streak of playing every minute in the team's last 35 matches.

Kot was the talk of the team after each player's blood iron was measured before the season. The defender's ferritin level – which indicates how much iron is stored in the body – of 110 micrograms per liter was the highest on the team.

Each week we'll rank our top three candidates for the 2009-10 Dike Eddleman Award, which annually goes to the top male and female athletes at the University of Illinois.

1. Scott Langley, golf. Junior stands No. 12 in Golfweek/Sagarin national ratings.

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.

CHAMPAIGN – Freshman Shayla Mutz scored a pair of goals and Christina Sahly also connected as the Illinois soccer team closed out its nonconference slate with a 3-1 victory against Milwaukee.

The Illini (5-3-1) open Big Ten play next Sunday when they host Minnesota.

Baseball's Willie Argo, Volleyball's Michelle Bartsch, runner Melissa Bates, gymanst Melissa Fernandez, soccer player Danielle Kot, tennis player Dennis Nevolo, gymanst Daniel Ribeiro and softball player Danielle Zymkowitz