Junior Sian Best was tenacious on defense. Gargoyle photos by Dave Porreca (click to enlarge)

The Uni defense stifled STM all game long. (click to enlarge)

Annie Machesky brought senior leadership to the D. (click to enlarge)

Junior Elizabeth Russell goes on the attack. (click to enlarge)

CHAMPAIGN — The Uni girls began their 2009 season Monday with a dominating 6-0 defeat of nonconference opponent St. Thomas More.

Six different players scored goals, but the real story was Uni's suffocating defense. The Illineks (1-0, 0-0 East Central Illinois Conference) played most of the game inside the STM half of the field and repeatedly turned back the visiting Sabers whenever they threatened to put together a scoring opportunity.

Uni outshot STM 26-1. Led by senior Annie Machesky, juniors Sian Best and Isaure Hostetter, and sophomore Amanda Hwu, the Illinek defense was stifling.

The starting midfielders — juniors Liz Allen, Erika Belmont, Michelle Wong, and senior Joy Shapley — were also exemplary, controlling play throughout the game.

Forwards Emma Coverdill, a sophomore, and Katie Buzard, a junior, capped off the starting lineup as head coach Philip Anders used a 4-4-2 instead of his usual 3-4-3.

Senior Rachel Skoza, playing in her first soccer match after a stellar Uni career in volleyball and basketball, opened the game as keeper, but she faced no shots on goal.

After about 25 minutes, Anders realized that Skoza was not being challenged and eventually moved her into the field as left forward. She responded in the 56th minute by scoring her first-ever goal.

"Rachel is really quite an athlete," Anders said. "She's got great speed. The thing right now is to work on her soccer skills, her understanding of where to move. I think she's enjoying herself."

Sophomore Eunjung Kim replaced Skoza in goal and easily preserved the shutout.

Commented Skoza: "Playing keeper the first part of the game was boring I admit, because most of the game was being played on the other half of the field. I had so much fun playing in the field the second half, even though I barely knew what I was supposed to do. I think as the season progresses, I'll learn more and more, and hopefully be effective for the team."

Despite their dominance, the Illineks weren't able to find the back of the net until the 25th minute. Wong, the team's leading scorer last year with nine goals, took a pass from sophomore Revathi Maturi and launched what Anders called "a beautiful shot from just inside the 18," eluding the grasp of the STM keeper.

Ten minutes later, freshman Abby Radnitzer volleyed a corner kick from Belmont into the center of the goal for Uni's second score.

Belmont followed that up with her own score at the 40th-minute mark thanks to an assist by junior Elizabeth Russell. As Anders described it, "Elizabeth was able to send the ball back across the mouth of the STM goal, where Erika was able to skillfully send an accurate shot into the back of the net."

Up 3-0 at halftime, the Illineks wasted no time going back on the attack when play resumed. Coverdill took a through pass from Wong and beat the STM keeper in the 45th minute.

Eleven minutes later, Skoza made it 5-0 off a pass from Allen, who was outside the STM penalty box on the right and found Skoza a few yards off the goal line.

The Illineks wrapped up their scoring with a Shapley goal in the 73rd minute, assisted by Coverdill.

The girls won't have much time to enjoy their victory, however. They will be back in action 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at First and Stadium against a formidable opponent: the Champaign Central varsity. This will be the first time the Uni girls have faced the Central varsity; in previous years, the Illinek starters have played the Maroon JV.

"I hope we can give them a good game," Anders said. "We have things to work on. I'm looking forward to it."

In JV action Monday, Uni defeated St. Thomas More 4-1. Maturi led Uni with three goals, scoring in the first and third minutes of the opening half and the first minute of the second half.

Radnitzer scored the team's other goal, 20 minutes into the game. All Uni goals were unassisted except Maturi's final one, which came off a pass by sophomore Cristina Gratton.

The Illinek JV outshot STM 16-3. Freshman Jamie Blue opened the game in goal. She made one save and allowed no goals. Kim made two saves and allowed one score.

The JV is 1-0, 0-0.