The regular season is over, and with the Big Ten tournament kicking off Wednesday, Illinois soccer has shifted into postseason mode.

Illinois (10-7-2, 5-6-2 Big Ten) lost in the first round of last season’s Big Ten tournament, but clinched an NCAA tournament berth. That might not be a luxury this year’s team will have.

After their scoreless draw with Wisconsin on Friday, the Illini are 66th in the NCAA Women’s Soccer RPI rankings. With 64 spots open in the tournament, and 30 of those spots automatically going to conference champions, Illinois appears to be on the outside looking in.

Head coach Janet Rayfield is aware the Illini are on the bubble, but hasn’t used that as motivation heading into the Big Ten tournament.

“We haven’t really talked about that because up until a week ago, our goal was getting in the Big Ten tournament,” Rayfield said. “I think we’re trying to take this one game at a time and certainly know that we’ve got to win some games to get in.”

Winning at least two games in the tournament could mean a rise to the high 50s in the RPI rankings, which is what may be the minimum ranking the Illinois could afford. The Illini’s surest bet to clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament would be to win the Big Ten championship.

The Illini know the implications of each game they play from here on out.

“We all know that if we lose, we could possibly be done with the season, so we know that we have to put everything out there and try as hard as we can to win,” sophomore defender Hope D’Addario said.

Wheatley earns Big Ten honors

Following an impressive 10-save performance against No. 11 Wisconsin on Friday, Illinois goalkeeper Claire Wheatley was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Wheatley said she was excited to earn the first conference honor of her career, but credits her team in achieving Illinois’ eighth shutout of the season.

“It’s not all me,” Wheatley said. “My defense is doing an amazing job this year, and I cannot thank them enough for that. A lot of the shutouts you can credit to them.”

Wheatley battled gusting winds and low temperatures through two overtime periods and still recorded a season-high 10 saves against the second-highest scoring offense in the Big Ten. Wheatley has 62 saves on the season and is fourth in the Big Ten with a 0.83 goals against average.

Injury update

Just as it has been all season, Illinois is banged up heading into the Big Ten tournament and may be missing three players Wednesday.

Freshman defender Abby Elinsky took a spike to the ankle and wasn’t able to finish Friday’s match. Freshman defender Sarah Warren also suffered an ankle injury on Friday, and even though she finished the match, her status is questionable.

With sophomore midfielder Casey Conine confirmed to miss her fourth straight game, junior defender Aliina Weykamp may move up to the midfield, which leaves holes in the defensive backline.

The Illini have been rotating positions all season, though, so their versatility is no longer a question.

“I don’t think there’s anyone that’s incapable of anything,” D’Addario said. “I think it says a lot about our team chemistry just because we can shuffle in and out and not really have a problem with it.”

Freshman Katherine Ratz subbed into the backline on Friday and is expected to do the same if Elinsky and Warren are unable to play against Wisconsin.

Joey can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @joeyfigueroa3.