Moline's Musings

Big win for Illinois soccer

Posted by: Brian Moline

Saturday, August 23, 2008 9:45 PM

Junior Chichi Nweke notched a goal and an assist, including the game winning goal in overtime, to lead the Illinois soccer team to a 2-1 win over Missouri in Columbia.  Nweke assisted on senior Marti Desjarlais' goal in the seventh minute to give the Illini a quick 1-0 lead.

The game would remain 1-0 until early in the second half, when Missouri's Michelle Collins received a cross from Bree Thornton and banged it past Illini goalkeeper Alex Kapicka to tie things up at one apiece.

Neither team could score again before the end of regulation.  In the fourth minute of overtime, sophomore Laura Knutson fed a through ball to Nweke who beat Tiger keeper Tasha Dittamore on the left side for the golden goal.

The Illini got a strong game from their midfield, the deepest postion this season for head coach Janet Rayfield.  Desjarlais took five shots on the night, getting three of them on goal.  Freshman Marissa Mykines came off the bench for 49 strong minutes, also notching five shots, three of them on frame.

In addition to Mykines, two other freshmen made their Illinois debut this evening.  Julie Ewing got the start at left back and played 68 minutes.  Caitlin Dombart came off the bench for 25 minutes of play on the back line.

The numbers were pretty even in the match, with Illinois taking 17 shots to Missouri's 13.  The Illini out cornered the Tigers 7-6.  The difference was that Illinois got nine of their 17 shots on goal, while the Tigers could manage to put just one of their 13 shots on frame.

Next up for Illinois is the inaugural Illini Challenge Cup at Illinois Soccer Stadium next weekend.  The Illini open with Iowa State on Friday at 7:30 pm.  Pitt and Dayton get the tournament started at 5 pm.  Dayton knocked off the Indiana Hoosiers last night 4-1.  The consolation and championship matches of the Illini Challenge Cup will be on Sunday.

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