Four years ago, nine players had been recruited to the Illini, but before they even stepped on the field, they were playing for a new coach.

A potentially disastrous situation ended up being more successful than anyone imagined, as this year’s senior class has won the most games in team history.

“I really have to praise this class, because we didn’t recruit them,” said head coach Janet Rayfield. “They came in with different expectations in terms of a coaching staff, but they bought into everything that we’re trying to do. That loyalty and commitment is something that you expect from a group that you recruited, but we were fortunate to get it from one that we didn’t recruit. That’s made all the difference in what we’ve been able to do the last four years.”

Tonight at 7 p.m. against the Iowa Hawkeyes, nine seniors on the team will be honored for their achievements over the last four years, including manager Alex Figueroa.

“There’s mixed emotions, it’s obviously sad, but it’s also an exciting night to play,” said senior forward Natasha Karniski. “It’s not the end for us, because we are definitely looking forward to the playoffs, and looking to finish our careers strong.”

Do not expect Iowa to join in on the celebration, as this is their last game of the season, and they are looking to play spoiler.

The Hawkeyes 1-6-2 Big Ten (3-11-4) are coming off their only Big Ten victory of the year this weekend against No. 24 Purdue, a team the Illini lost to last weekend. The Hawkeyes will not make it into the Big Ten tournament as they are last in the conference standings and only eight teams qualify.

“They’re coming in off a good weekend,” said Rayfield. “This is a team that is scoring goals, and will fight all the way to the end. It’s not going to be an easy game for us, and their record is deceiving, because obviously they had the talent to beat Purdue.”

For the Illini, this game is also significant because it will be the first start of the year for senior goalie Rachel Frank. The team lost starting goalie sophomore Lindsey Carstens for the year, after she broke her fibula in a collision with a Purdue player. Carstens had recorded five shutouts in the season, which is third most in team history, and her GAA was 0.99.

“I feel bad for Lindsey, because she was having a great year,” Frank said. “As the backup keeper, however, I’m prepared to get into the game. We have a solid defense on the field in front of me and I just need to make sure that I stay focused 100 percent for all 90 minutes of every game.”

The team pulled off a 1-0 victory over Indiana last Friday with a game-winning free kick by senior defender Kelly Campbell in the 87th minute.

On Sunday, the Illini struggled against Purdue, going down 3-0, and eventually losing the game 3-1. A victory tonight would give much-needed momentum going into the Big Ten tournament.

“This is an important game for us, especially for our own confidence heading into the Big Ten tournament,” Rayfield said. “Also, when you look at the national picture, you don’t want to leave the selection committee with any doubts, and that’s why you have to finish strong.”

This is a team that has been looking to find its true form all year – and it will be harder without their starting goalie – but one thing that this team and this senior class has proven is that they can overcome the odds to be successful.

“All season, we have had to deal with injuries,” Rayfield said. “We don’t miss a beat, and we keep going. Our expectations have never faltered through all the injuries that we’ve had, and we’ve never used it as an excuse. That’s the way this team has approached any injury throughout the year, and now it’s not going to be any different.”