Girls soccer: Defense, second-half scoring propel Uni to third straight shutout victory

Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)Junior Katie Buzard (10), shown here in action against Macon Meridian last week, scored one of the goals in Uni's 3-0 victory over Decatur St. Teresa on Tuesday.

By Chris Yoder
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 6:36pm

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UNI HIGH AT DECATUR ST. TERESA AT A GLANCE

When & Where: Tuesday, April 21, Decatur

Varsity Result: Uni 3, St. Teresa 0

Varsity Record: 8-3 overall, 2-0 East Central Illinois Conference

Summary: The Uni defense continues to amaze. For the third straight game the Illineks not only shut out the opposition, they didn't allow a shot on goal. In that span, Uni has outshot its foes 63-0. Take a bow, defense, led by Annie Machesky, Sian Best, Isaure Hostetter, and Amanda Hwu. Keeper Rachel Skoza earned the shutout.

JV Result: Uni 0, St. Teresa 0 in game shortened to 10-minute halves

JV Record: 3-2-4 overall, 0-0 ECIC

Next Game: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at home against Decatur Lutheran

Junior Michelle Wong (3), shown here against Normal Calvary Baptist last weekend, had an assist in Uni's shutout win over St. Teresa. Also in the photo are junior Elizabeth Russell (9) and sophomore Revathi Maturi (5). Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

DECATUR — After scoring 13 goals in the last two games combined, scoring just three might seem a letdown.

But when your defense is so dominant that it doesn’t even allow your opponent a shot on goal, three goals is more than plenty.

Uni scored three second-half goals Tuesday and didn't allow a shot on goal all game as the Illineks defeated Decatur St. Teresa 3-0 in a nonconference road match.

It was Uni's third win in a row and the team's sixth in the last seven games. The Illineks are now 7-0 on the season against Class 1A teams.

The Illineks were scoreless in the first 40 minutes, despite seven shots on goal to the Bulldogs' zero. But Uni got on the board in the second half after sophomore Emma Coverdill finished on a strong push by junior midfielder Michelle Wong for a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute.

Forward Katie Buzard scored Uni's second goal in the 68th minute. As described by head coach Philip Anders, Buzard finished a strong pass through a crowded penalty area from fellow junior Erika Belmont, chipping the ball just over the goalkeeper's head.

Five minutes later, sophomore left-mid Revathi Maturi scored the dagger, finishing another strong pass from Belmont for Uni's third goal and an insurmountable lead with under seven minutes to play.

Senior Rachel Skoza played keeper and recorded the team's seventh shutout victory of the season.

The defense — led Tuesday by senior Annie Machesky and juniors Sian Best, Isaure Hostetter, and Isabel Vazquez — deserves much of the credit for Uni's recent success. Opponents haven't managed a shot on goal in the last three games, with the Illineks outshooting their opponents 63-0 in those games. In all seven wins against Class 1A teams, Uni hasn't allowed a goal and has outscored those teams 38-0.

Uni's overall record stands at 8-3, with a 2-0 conference mark. The Illineks continue their stretch against Decatur teams by playing conference foes Decatur Lutheran on Thursday and Decatur Christian on Friday. If Uni can win both of those games, the team will have clinched the East Central Illinois Conference title.

The Uni JV played St. Teresa to a scoreless tie in a game shortened to 10-minute halves. The JV record stands at 3-2-4.

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OG Scoreboard: Uni at Decatur St. Teresa