The Illinois soccer team’s senior forward Marissa Mykines toppled the Michigan State Spartans for the second time this season, scoring the only goal in the 92nd minute of Friday’s Big Ten Tournament’s semifinals.
In the matchup of No. 2-seeded Illinois against No. 3-seeded Michigan State, Mykines split the Spartans defense as she danced her way down in front of the net. Going to her right, Mykines put a strike into the left corner of the net. The well-placed strike and speed of the shot was too much for diving goalkeeper Jill Flietstra to handle.
Mykines has Michigan State’s number, as the Spokane, Wash., native scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Spartans in their regular season matchup as well. Then, Mykines scored the game-winner in the 103rd minute for a 1-0 victory.
Although the Illini outshot Michigan State 8-7 in the first half of Friday’s game, the Illinois defense was tested for much of the half. The Illinois defense did not break largely due to goalkeeper Steph Panozzo, who recorded five of her seven saves in the first half.
The Illini were able to get past their slow start in the second half, getting better opportunities in front of the goal. Five of the Illini’s six shots on goal came in the second half. The Illini will continue on to the championship game to play the winner of the second semifinal matchup of No. 1-seeded Penn State vs. No. 5-seeded Minnesota.