Purdue women's soccer ties Illinois

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue women's soccer team took an early lead against Illinois on Sunday when Alex Hairston scored a goal to give Purdue the 1-0 lead at halftime.

Illinois rallied back in the second half though. Nicole Denenberg scored in the 58th minute to tie the game up at 1-1.

Purdue (7-4-2, 2-2-1 Big Ten) remained unbeaten in seven all-time meetings (4-0-3) with the Fighting Illini in West Lafayette. The overtime game was the Boilers’ sixth of the year. They have compiled a 2-2-2 record in those six overtime affairs, the team’s most since the 2009 team also played in six.

Hairston’s goal in the 21st minute extended Purdue’s streak of consecutive games with a goal to nine, the eighth longest streak in program history. It remains the team’s longest run since the 2009 team scored in the first 12 games of the year.

Hairston scored her fourth goal of the season with a well-placed shot from the right side of the 18-yard box inside the right post. Hadley Stuart setup the goal to earn her seventh assist of the season, third best in the Big Ten.

The Boilermakers finished the month of September with a 4-2-2 record. They are unbeaten (6-0-2) when they have scored a goal at home this season. Purdue returns to action Sunday, Oct. 6 for a 3 pm game at Ohio State. It will be the Boilers’ first visit to Columbus since 2009.