CHAMPAIGN – Redistricting isn't just for election-fixated legislators. The NCAA has gotten into the redistricting business, too, by remapping the cross-country postseason boundaries for 1997.

For the Illinois, this will mean a host of new opponents – and some heftier travel bills – come NCAA district meet time.

QUINCY – Missy Kann made sure Illinois' dominance was rewarded.

Kann scored one minute into sudden death as the undefeated Illinois women's soccer team beat host Quincy 1-0 Wednesday night.

Kelly Buszkiewicz had a goal and an assist and two goalies combined for 11 saves as the University of Illinois women's soccer team won its NCAA Division I debut 4-0 over Loyola of Chicago on Friday in St. Louis.

Tuesday's Illinois women's soccer home opener against St. Louis was canceled because of wet grounds.

CHAMPAIGN – After a year away from home, Kelly Buszkiewicz was itching to get back to the Midwest.

Jillian Ellis just happened to be going that way.

CHAMPAIGN – If Saturday's a sign of things to come for Illinois women's soccer, Jillian Ellis may have an even bigger worry than her team's lack of experience.

Her stadium's lack of bleachers.

CHAMPAIGN – Contrary to popular belief, women's soccer has been alive and kicking at the University of Illinois for years.

It's just that no one noticed until now.

The schools kept making offers to Laura Lantz. Colorado, West Virginia, the Naval Academy all sought the Buffalo Grove defender for their soccer teams.

But Lantz wanted the impossible: An offer from the University of Illinois, a school that didn't have a soccer team.