Aug. 27, 2000

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- - For the second game in a row, Illinois won in convincing fashion in women's soccer. On the springboard of two goals in the first ten minutes, Illinois blanked Kansas, 4-0.

The win comes on the heels of a 2-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois in which the Illini out-shot Eastern, 28-3.

Freshman Tiffani Walker has become an instant fan favorite. Her track speed has helped her three goals in the first two games. Walker scored two goals nearly before the fans had settled comfortably in their seats. A sliding cross by Lisa Baldwin to an unmarked Walker resulted in the first goal just 1:54 into the match.

Baldwin had three shots in the first ten minutes herself, one needing a save by Kansas goalkeeper Layla Young to keep from making it 2-0. Baldwin's relentless pressure resulted in the second Illini goal. Another speedy midfielder, Hollie Schurr, found a streaking Baldwin, who fed Walker for the goal at the 9:48 mark.

The Illini managed two more shots and a pair of corner kick chances before the 25-minute mark of the first half. Illinois out-shot Kansas 12-4 in the first half and 22-9 for the game. That gives the Illini an impressive 50 shots to their opponents 12 on the young season.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first with Illinois exploding for two goals in the first ten minutes. A shot by Hollie Schurr from a tough angle in the corner was rebounded by Lindsay Johnson for goal three at 53:57, the first on the year for Illinois' 1999 offensive MVP. Less than three minutes later (at 53:32), another offensive force, Tara Schuling, deposited a shot into the right corner of the net from point blank range to complete in the convincing performance.

Illinois has started 2-0 for the fourth straight season. The Illini started 5-0 in both 1998 and 1999. The Illini are 22-7 all-time in non-conference games and are 11-2 all-time in non-conference home games.