With a record of 9-6-2, the 2012 girls soccer team is coming out of the regular season with a positive outlook. Not only are they on a three game winning streak, they also have a very good chance of claiming a regional championship.

The season started out with a game against St. Thomas More, a team that the Illineks will face if they make it to the regional finals. Junior Sarah Vaughen scored Uni’s only goal well into the first half, and the team kept St. Thomas More to only one goal.

Senior Jamie Blue fights for the ball against a Charleston player. Gargoyle photo by Gargoyle Staff. (click to enlarge)

---

The game resulted in a tie, a good outcome, if not a win, for the first game of the season. The team had not yet developed chemistry or a feel for one another, and yet they still managed to tie St. Thomas More. Now that the season has progressed and the team is gelling, there’s a good chance the team can pull off a win, should they get the chance to face St. Thomas More again.

Following a 1-4 loss to Champaign Central, which is a 2A school, the Illineks outscored a conference opponent, Judah Christian, 4-0. Junior Juliana Trach scored two goals, both in the first half, Vaughen scored a goal, and junior Miriam Ferede scored Uni’s final goal. This win capped off a tough week of play, and secured the team their first conference win of the season.

After the team’s win against Judah Christian, they suffered two losses, one to Champaign Centennial (0-5), which is another 2A school, and one to St. Thomas More (0-1). The loss against St. Thomas More was slim. Uni had 10 shots on the goal in the second half alone, but nothing connected.

Things took an upward turn for the Illineks after the two straight losses against tough opponents. Uni tied Urbana High School 0-0, which is yet another 2A school, and two days later, pulled off a 1-0 win over Monticello.

The game against Monticello is a tribute to the defensive side of the girls soccer team. Monticello only managed to get two shots on the goal, both in the second half. The phenomenal work of the defense allowed Uni to keep Monticello at bay and thanks to sophomore Mara Dolan, Uni was able to score.

In the next ten games following the win against Monticello, the team went 7-3. To kick things off, Uni won 8-0 against Macon Meridian. The following players scored goals for Uni that game: senior Abby Radnitzer (3), freshman Carmen Gewirth (2), freshman Grace Lilly (2), and Ferede (1).

Junior Miriam Ferede throws the ball in to get the game going again. Gargoyle photo by Gargoyle Staff. (click to enlarge)

---

The Illineks also had a big win against Normal Calvary, outscoring them 7-1. Dolan scored two goals, Lilly recorded a hat trick, and Radnitzer scored once, as did Gewrith.

Uni had two more great wins leading up to senior night. Uni outscored Mattoon 2-1, thanks to a goal apiece from Dolan and Vaughen. Uni also pulled off a 2-0 win over Danville High School, with goals from Dolan and Lilly.

Senior night was a huge success. The team honored eight seniors, and in the end, Uni emerged victorious over Warrensburg Latham, due to a goal by junior Gabby Kozlowski.

Tonight, the team will start their regional play against Monticello. If Uni’s defense plays as well as they did earlier in the season, a win over Monticello should be just on the horizon.

Another factor that may contribute to their win is that the team will be playing on their home field for the regional tournament. Uni is hosting a regional tournament as well as one of the super-sectional tournaments. Should the Illineks go that far, they will have a home field advantage.

Since the game is a home game, everyone should go out a support the Illineks tonight against Monticello! The more support, the better the atmosphere will be in Uni’s favor.