UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Just 41 days ago, then-No. 21 Penn State erased a second half deficit thanks to a late comeback as they defeated Illinois 2-1 in overtime. Flash forward to this weekend, and the Blue and White must defeat the Fighting Illini again, this time with the chance to advance to the Big Ten Tournament championship game for the second year in a row.
Beating the No. 5 seeded Illinois in their much-awaited rematch, however, is easier said than done for the No. 1 seeded Nittany Lions. Head coach Erica Dambach is airing on the side of caution with this matchup as she knows Illinois is most certainly looking for its revenge.
"Just the familiarity and making sure you've got as much respect as you can for your opponent," Dambach said about facing off against the same team for the second time after a really close first match. "Just making sure that you're up for that match just like you were the first time."
Sophomore forward Frankie Tagliaferri, who scored both of her team's two goals against Illinois the last time they played, including the game-winner in overtime, talked about not overlooking their opponent just because they may have come out with victorious against them earlier in the season.
"We're just going to remember how tough of an opponent they are, and respect that, of course," said Tagliaferri, one of the Nittany Lions' shareholders for the team lead in goals and total points. "We're going to prepare the same way we prepare for every game, but we're really going to focus on the details for this tournament."
With that being said, Penn State will still look to adjust as they have now have seen the way Illinois plays and can hopefully pinpoint its strengths and weaknesses as a team.
"I think knowing some ways they play and them knowing the style we play (is important)," Tagliaferri said about the two team's familiarity with each other. "We want to get that win again and they want to come back and beat us, so that's why it's really hard (to prepare)."
For Dambach, one focal point for her team this week was the importance of getting out to a fast start. The last time these two teams played, Penn State looked sluggish in the first half and went back to the locker room trailing 1-0 after allowing a goal in the 14th minute.
"Right now, I think we have to focus on our start. They came out and they were all over us, and obviously it was a home game for them, but that's a team that is energized and playing with everything on the line," Dambach said. "You can tell by the way their bench reacts to moments, so we've got to make sure that we win that battle (early on)."
As Dambach mentioned, another key aspect of this game is the fact that it is not in Champaign, Illinois, like last time, but instead a neutral site field where neither team will boast a home field advantage.
Penn State and Illinois will travel to Westfield, Indiana, a place the Nittany Lions are no strangers to. Just last season, Penn State defeated Northwestern in this very stadium to win the Big Ten Tournament, and they are hoping for similar results this year as they make their way back to Grand Park.
The Blue & White and Fighting Illini will kick-off their semifinal matchup at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, live on the Big Ten Network with a spot in the Big Ten title game on the line.
