CHAMPAIGN — Illinois broke through in Big Ten play three weeks ago. After a less-than-stellar start to conference action, beating a ranked Rutgers team and topping Maryland on a golden goal in double overtime had the Illini in the top quarter of the league.
Ties to Ohio State and Michigan State followed.
Then losses to Michigan and Iowa — a particularly tough defeat Thursday night with an own goal delivering the victory to the Hawkeyes and handing Illinois its only home loss of the season.
Suddenly, the Illini found themselves on the outside looking in with the Big Ten tournament just two weeks away.