URBANA — Sometimes exclamation points are well deserved. This is certainly one of those times.

The Class 2A Urbana Tigers went into today's game against 1A Uni High undefeated, unscored upon, and boasting a player-of-the-year candidate in Kate Russell.

They left with their first loss of the season. More importantly, Uni emerged not only with a 2-1 nonconference win but a newfound sense of confidence. For the first time in the history of the girls soccer program, the Illinek varsity had defeated Urbana. But was this really an upset? Maybe not.

The Uni defense was strong throughout the first 78 minutes of the contest, letting up only in the final two minutes, when Zoe Keller scored Urbana's lone goal. In all, the host Illineks held the Tigers to six shots on goal.

Uni also was held to six shots, but the Illineks struck early and never let go of the lead.

Knocking the Tigers off their stride

The scoring began in the 15th minute when center forward Emma Coverdill made a strong shot that Urbana keeper Aubrey Morse couldn't hold onto. The ball deflected toward right midfielder Elizabeth Russell, who found the back of the net with her second goal of the season.

"A few minutes after our first goal, I could see it in the faces of the Urbana players that they were giving up," said goalkeeper Rachel Skoza. "I knew they wouldn't be able to get past the fact that we'd just scored on them."

The half ended with Uni ahead 1-0. Scoring opportunities were few to come by for either team, with Uni managing only three shots on goal in the first 40 minutes and Urbana two.

"Urbana started the game pushing into our half, but we kept our collective cool," head coach Philip Anders said. "When we scored at the 15-minute mark, the effect on both teams was clear: Urbana became frustrated and we seemed to grow more determined."

With such tough defensive play on both sides, the next goal — if it came — would be crucial. If Urbana scored next, the Tigers would regain the momentum and might very well break the game open. On the other hand, if Uni scored …

And that's what happened. Eight minutes into the half, junior Isaure Hostetter made what Anders described as "a beautiful through pass" across the top of the Urbana penalty area. Left midfielder Joy Shapley was on the receiving end behind the defense. The senior took aim, beat Morse, and tallied her fourth goal of the year.

Take it to the bank

Now up 2-0, the Illineks could sense impending victory. For veteran Uni fans, the scene was like the extraordinary 2-1 upset win of the Uni boys over Champaign Central in 2006.

Urbana's frustration was evident as the time ticked away. In the 74th minute, Tiger star Kate Russell received a yellow card for improper use of elbows after she lost possession of the ball.

The visitors finally scored when Keller beat two Uni defenders along the touchline and got off a shot that went past Skoza at the near post. But at that point less than two minutes remained, and the Illineks were not going to give up another score.

"We started the game with a great plan to control their key players, and then effectively executed those plans," Anders said. "Of course, I had no doubt about our ability to win this game. The players proved that they could act on that ability for a full 80 minutes."

And that's how it ended: an amazing victory by a team that has gotten better with every game against 2A opposition this season.

Continual improvement

Think about it. In Uni's first game against a 2A team, Champaign Central on March 18, the Illineks played scared. That's the word players and coach used: scared. Anders challenged his team to do better. And when the girls faced Centennial on March 31, the difference was clear. The Illineks played the Chargers almost even. Only misplays on a corner kick and direct kick cost them the game.

Today's win represents the payoff. Having realized they can keep up with 2A talent, the Illineks came out and showed what they're capable of.

"I think [the key] was mainly that we didn't enter the game feeling scared like we did with Central," junior center midfielder Erika Belmont said. "We were challenging balls that we hadn't earlier on in the season."

"Uni players did what they were supposed to do; it's as simple as that," Skoza said. "I could feel we were particularly determined today."

Anders agreed: "The biggest difference with this varsity game compared to the Central game was that we played with the confidence that we could compete with anyone, and that no matter what happened in the course of the game, if we stayed focused and worked toward our common goal, we could leave the field with a sense of pride in our accomplishment."

The 4-2 Illineks travel to Monticello on Thursday. Until today, the Sages looked like they might be the area's top 1A team. Now that's an open question.

Varsity Season Statistics at a Glance