Junior Elizabeth Allen battles for possession. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Sophomore Amanda Hwu races to the ball.

URBANA — The Centennial Chargers scored a pair of goals off set kicks in the first half, and that was all the visitors from Champaign needed to defeat Uni 2-0 in a nonconference game Tuesday.

But don’t get the impression that this game wasn't close.

"In some aspects, I think we were right on par with Centennial," said junior midfielder Erika Belmont. "The game could've really gone either way."

Two weeks ago, the Class 1A Illineks lost 5-0 to Champaign Central — like Centennial, a Class 2A big school. Head coach Philip Anders noted the improvement in his team's performance, including a strong effort by junior midfielder Michelle Wong.

“It was much better — it was just much better," he said. "The game was back and forth. We created chances. Michelle had a good opportunity in the first half, and if that goes in, there's a whole different makeup to the game. I think they played very well.”

Centennial opened its scoring in the 11th minute of the first half, the result of a deflection off a corner kick.

With under four minutes until the end of the half, the Chargers scored again, when a direct kick wasn't cleared and fell to the attacker just inside the penalty area.

Uni managed three shots on goal in the first half, and had seven total on the game, just one fewer than the Chargers managed. But none was able to get through.

The Illineks are now 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the East Central Illinois Conference. Both losses have come against 2A opponents.

The girls will continue to play big-school teams later this month. After a matchup against nonconference 1A foe St. Thomas More on Thursday, the girls will host undefeated 2A Urbana on Tuesday.

But the Illineks aren't fazed.

"We play good teams, so we get better as well," said Anders. "And that's what this game's all about. That game that we played today was a result of two goals — was a result of two direct kicks — but yet we played them hard. And they reciprocated in that, so it was a good game."

In JV action, the Illineks came off the field without a win for the first time this season as they battled the Chargers to a 0-0 deadlock. The Uni JV is now 2-0-1 on the year.

Senior defender Annie Machesky intercepts a Centennial pass. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

Sophomore Revathi Maturi (5) doesn't back down.