In the Tuesday, Oct. 21, issue of The Daily Illini, the article titled “Soccer hits roadblock” included an incorrect date in the photograph caption. The accompanying photo was from a soccer game against Washington on Sept. 26 in Champaign, Ill. The Daily Illini regrets this error.

When the Illinois soccer team goes on the road, it must feel like an honorary acting troupe in the movie “Groundhog Day.”

After its 1-0 loss at Indiana on Sunday, Illinois (9-7, 3-4) has now lost four consecutive road games by that same score. The Illini are 2-7 on the road this year – a sharp contrast to their unblemished 6-0 mark at home.

“It happens to be the games we haven’t shot very well, in terms of getting shots on frame, happen to all be on the road,” said head coach Janet Rayfield before playing Indiana. “Whether that’s a coincidence or a factor of us being on the road, it’s hard to tell.”

Looking at the statistics, one is likely to conclude that the road environment is a factor. The Illini have lost seven of their last eight away from Champaign, and all of those losses have been shutouts. It has been over 400 minutes since Illinois has scored a goal away from the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium, the last one was acquired five road games ago.

“It’s frustrating,” Rayfield said of the road woes after losing to Indiana. “Sickening would almost be the feeling I would ascribe to it. On the road or at home, we got to start winning games.”

Often, in such a low-scoring sport, one play can make all the difference. The Illini, who have outshot their last four road foes, finish scoring opportunities at home but not on the road. This was evident late in the game against Indiana, when freshman Julie Ewing got in the six-yard box and faked out her defender. But Ewing had her point-blank shot stopped by the Indiana goalie.

“I got a great ball and turned with it, but I should have aimed far post instead of more down the middle,” Ewing said.

In a similar situation earlier this year against Michigan at home, with the match scoreless late in the game, only the goalie stood between sophomore Jordan Hilbrands and the net. She converted by putting her shot in the top corner for a 1-0 win.

Rayfield has said throughout the year adjusting on the road can be difficult. In the Northwestern loss, it took the Illini some time to get used to the artificial turf, on which the ball rolls differently. The backdrop behind the goal can affect the players when shooting as well, much like a shooter in basketball, Rayfield said. This makes it harder to get shots on goal.

Sometimes there’s a little luck involved too, and Illinois gets more of that at home. Against Colorado College earlier this season, forward Chichi Nweke scored the first goal of the game when an intended crossing pass was knocked down by the goalie and rolled through her legs. Against the Hoosiers, a shot by sophomore defender Danielle Kot hit the left post and deflected away.

“It’s kind of the story of the season in the Big Ten so far,” midfielder Jackie Santacaterina said about missed opportunities.