Soccer flys past Dayton in OT to clinch tournament title

Emily+Zurrer%2C+center%2C+alongside+teammate+Jackie+Santacaterina%2C+accept+the+trophy+after+the+championship+game+of+the+Illini+Challenge+Cup+at+Illinois+Track+and+Soccer+Stadium%2C+Sunday%2C+Aug.+31%2C+2008.+Illinois+beat+Dayton+1-0+in+overtime+with+a+header+from+Erica+Magda%0A
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Emily Zurrer, center, alongside teammate Jackie Santacaterina, accept the trophy after the championship game of the Illini Challenge Cup at Illinois Track and Soccer Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. Illinois beat Dayton 1-0 in overtime with a header from Erica Magda

By Stuart Lieberman
August 29, 2008

Emily Zurrer’s first soccer match for the Illini following her stint at the Olympic Games could not have unfolded any better.

On Sunday, Zurrer scored the winning goal for Illinois in the Championship game of the Illini Cup Challenge. The senior defender headed the ball into the right corner of the goal in overtime, leading the Illini past Dayton for the tournament title, 1-0.

Sunday’s game was a physical one for both the Illini and the Flyers, as players were continually knocked down and Dayton coaches got into arguments with the referees. However, the Illini were able to pull through once again, and are now 3-0 on the season.