CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After Illinois took a 1-0 lead into the locker room, Kate McCusker’s first career goal tied it for Indiana (5-6-1, 1-3 Big Ten) less than three minutes after halftime. But the Fighting Illini (7-4-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten) scored a trio of goals over the final 40 minutes to hand IU the 4-1 loss.

 

Kate getting a goal was good for her and our team and we played well for most of the first half,” Indiana head coach Mick Lyon said. “But in the second half I thought we stopped competing and we are not going to win games if we don’t compete for 90 minutes.”

 

Vanessa DiBernardo scored the first of her two goals in the game in the 40^th minute to give the Illini a 1-0 lead.

 

McCusker then found a loose ball after a failed clearing attempt the Illinois defense and put home the game-tying goal, her first of the season. She becomes the eighth different Hoosier to score their first collegiate point this season.

 

DiBernardo was back at it in the 53^rd minute, scoring what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Marissa Mykines and Megan Pawloski rounded out the scoring for Illinois in the 71^st and 78^th minutes, respectively.

 

Illinois held a 23-9 edge in shots in the game with 16 of those coming in the second half with the wind at their backs. Indiana goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell matched a career high with nine saves in the game. She also had nine saves at USF earlier this season.

 

The loss extends the Indiana losing streak in Champaign to seven games (0-6-1) and the Hoosiers have not won at Illinois since the 1999 season.

 

Indiana will travel to Northwestern for a 2:00 p.m. start against the Wildcats. Fans can watch the game LIVE on BTN.com with a subscription fee required.