Junior midfielder Erika Belmont (12) battles for possession against a Bulldog defender. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

MONTICELLO — After beating Decatur St. Teresa 3-1 Monday afternoon, the Illineks are one victory away from the school's first-ever regional championship in girls soccer.

No. 1 seed Uni will play Class 1A regional host Monticello 4 p.m. today; the Sages are the No. 2 seed in the six-team bracket.

The Illineks, now 11-4-3, won their semifinal game behind goals by junior Michelle Wong, sophomore Emma Coverdill, and junior Liz Allen.

Wong began the scoring against No. 4 seed St. Teresa just four minutes into the game.

Left midfielder Allen made a cross pass into the Bulldogs' penalty area; with only keeper Natalie Curry to beat, Wong converted the assist into her 12th goal of the season.

The game remained 1-0 for the rest of the half. But shortly after play resumed, the Illineks put the contest out of reach.

In the 42nd minute, right midfielder Elizabeth Russell set up Coverdill with a cross pass from the corner. The sophomore forward was in perfect position in front of the St. Teresa net and knocked it in.

A minute later, Allen scored the clincher as she finished off a cross from Wong that Coverdill had deflected her way.

Up 3-0, the Illinek defense was never seriously challenged except for a brief St. Teresa attack in the 76th minute. That's when Alex Reynolds scored the Bulldogs' only goal; her unassisted shot found the back of the next after soaring above sophomore keeper Eunjung Kim's head.

Uni outshot the Bulldogs 13-2; Kim and freshman Jamie Blue shared the keeper spot.

The 3-1 victory marked Uni's second win over St. Teresa this season; the visiting Illineks won 3-0 on April 21.

In the other semifinal game Monday, the host Sages defeated No. 3 seed Decatur Lutheran 2-1.

Today's regional title contest between Uni and Monticello will be a rematch of the April 9 game that the visiting Illineks won 2-0.

Whoever wins today's match will travel Thursday to Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central High School to play in the sectional semifinals against the winner of the Williamsville regional. The sectional championship will be decided May 26, also at IVC.

Class 1A Monticello Regional at a Glance

All games at Monticello H.S. unless otherwise noted; admission price is $4

Tuesday, May 12: Regional Opening Round

• Match 1 at 4:30 p.m. — (5) St. Thomas More at (4) Decatur St. Teresa (St. Teresa won 5-1)
• Match 2 at 4:30 p.m. — (6) Judah Christian at (3) Decatur Lutheran (Lutheran won 8-1)

Monday, May 18: Regional Semifinals

• Match 3 at 3 p.m. — (1) UNI HIGH vs. Decatur St. Teresa (Uni won 3-1)
• Match 4 at 4:30 p.m. — (2) Monticello vs. Decatur Lutheran (Monticello won 2-1)

Tuesday, May 19: Regional Final

• Match 5 at 4 p.m. — Winner Match 3 (UNI HIGH) vs. Winner Match 4 (Monticello)

More photos: Uni vs. Decatur St. Teresa

Sophomore Emma Coverdill (22) displays her trademark tenacity. She scored one of Uni's three goals against St. Teresa. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

Junior midfielder Elizabeth Russell (9) uses her speed to get by a St. Teresa defender.

Junior Michelle Wong (3) scored just four minutes into the game.

Russell dashes down the field to set up another Uni scoring opportunity.

Sophomore Amanda Hwu (17) gets ready to pass to center-mid Erika Belmont (12).

Coverdill scores two minutes into the second half.

Coverdill and Belmont celebrate the goal.

Wong passes as Coverdill looks on.

Liz Allen (19) scores Uni's third and final goal.

Allen celebrates with Russell.

Junior forward Katie Buzard (10) eludes two defenders.

Freshman Abby Radnitzer (18) sees action in the second half.

Coverdill was hard to stop.

So was Allen.