Online Gargoyle

Girls soccer: Illineks send off seniors with scoreless tie

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Published: Monday, May 4, 2009 - 9:09pm

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Sophomore Emma Coverdill chases down a ball during Uni's 0-0 tie with Mattoon. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Junior Michelle Wong gives Joy Shapley a hug as the team's three seniors are honored after the Mattoon game. Looking on are Rachel Skoza (left) and Annie Machesky. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

CHAMPAIGN — Uni played visiting Mattoon to a 0-0 tie Thursday in the Illineks' final home game of the season.

After the contest, which took place at Turf Field near Memorial Stadium, seniors Annie Machesky, Joy Shapley, and Rachel Skoza were honored by their teammates and head coach Philip Anders for their contributions to the team's success this year.

Uni is now 9-3-2 overall with just three varsity games remaining before the IHSA Class 1A playoffs begin.

The Illineks are the No. 1 seed in the Monticello regional. On May 16 they will travel to Monticello High School to face the winner of the May 12 first-round match between St. Thomas More and Decatur St. Teresa.

The winner of the May 16 game will move on to the regional championship contest three days later, also at Monticello.

Uni is already co-champion of the East Central Illinois Conference with Decatur Lutheran; both squads went 3-0-1 in the ECIC. The Illineks and Lady Lions deadlocked 1-1 when they played at the DCR Complex in Urbana on April 23.

Uni's record this year against other 1A teams has been a remarkable 8-0-1. The girls have outscored their small-school opponents 46-1. The one goal the Illineks gave up — to Decatur Lutheran — was in fact an "own goal."

Against Class 2A Mattoon, the Illineks continued to dominate possession as they have in most of their games, outshooting the Green Wave 9-4. Last year Uni lost 1-0 to Mattoon on the road.

Sophomore keeper Eunjung Kim earned the shutout in place of the injured Skoza; the senior injured her left knee while playing basketball and is probably out for the season, according to Anders.

Kim made four saves, including one late in the contest that preserved the tie. Her counterpart from Mattoon, Cori Smith, made nine saves.

Uni's record against 2A schools stands at 1-3-1. The girls will play two more big-school opponents, traveling to Danville on Tuesday and to Mahomet-Seymour on May 14. The latter game was rescheduled from April 28.

Anders said he welcomed the change since it prevents his players from having to go a long stretch without a game between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.

Besides the two matches against 2A opponents, Uni has one more regular-season contest against a 1A school. The girls will travel Thursday to Warrensburg-Latham to take on the No. 2 seed in the Williamsville regional.

In JV action on Thursday, Mattoon defeated Uni 2-1. The Illineks scored first when freshman Abby Radnitzer connected on a midfield pass from sophomore Cristina Gratton 15 minutes into the game.

The 1-0 advantage lasted until the 50th minute, when the Green Wave tied the contest. Five minutes later the visitors pulled ahead for good.

Uni's JV record is now 3-3-4 overall, 0-0 in the ECIC.

Junior Elizabeth Allen rushes downfield trying to break the 0-0 deadlock between Uni and Mattoon. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge)