CHAMPAIGN – If you're heading out to the big soccer match tonight, Jillian Ellis suggests you leave the sweaters and jackets at home.

It could get a little toasty at the Illinois soccer field.

Score one for Northwestern over Illinois.

Soccer, that is.

Amy Bessette notched her third shutout of the season the easy way as the Illinois women's soccer team broke a two-game losing streak Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Valparaiso at the UI Soccer Complex.

The Illini (6-2) held Valpo shotless in the game.

CHAMPAIGN – Her fancy footwork and sharp shooting aren't the only things Jillian Ellis digs about Lisa Baldwin.

"I wanted to get someone out here with a stranger accent than mine,' " said Ellis, Illinois' England-born women's soccer coach. "Alleviates some of my pressure."

CHARLESTON – Trailing 2-0, Eastern Illinois' women's soccer team took only four shots against Illinois in the second half Wednesday.

CHAMPAIGN – She got a free meal from her folks, and her team won another game.

Not a bad 32nd birthday for Illinois women's soccer coach Jillian Ellis.

NORMAL – Freshman Lisa Baldwin's second-half goal gave the Illinois women's soccer team a 1-0 victory Friday afternoon in its season opener at Illinois State.

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois soccer team fired 34 shots at St. Charles on Sunday afternoon, but only one counted.

Freshman Lisa Baldwin scored the Illini's lone goal at the 78-minute mark, but the UI lost 2-1 at the First and Stadium Multiplex.