Sept. 5, 2003

Box Score

Athens, Ga. - Meghan Kolze and Tiffani Walker each scored a goal as the Fighting Illini soccer team picked up a big 2-1 road win over the Georgia Bulldogs (1-2-0) in front of 3,312 fans Friday night. The Illini improve to 2-1-0 with the victory, but more importantly they pick up a quality win away from home, something they rarely did last season when they went 2-9-1 outside the friendly confines of Illini Soccer Stadium.

"This is a huge win for us on the road," said Head Coach Janet Rayfield. "Georgia is a good team so this really boosts our confidence. They had a large crowd and came out with lots intensity and momentum, but we were able to stay composed. This is a big step forward for us because we didn't get rattled early on."

Senior Meghan Kolze, a Lake Zurich, Ill. native, put the Illini on the board in the 32nd minute when she headed a Christen Karniski restart into the net from close range. Senior Tiffani Walker, who hails from Bellevue, Wash., would give the Orange and Blue a two-goal cushion in the 54th minute with an unassisted goal from 20 yards out.

The Bulldogs would close the score to 2-1 when Jessica Winton scored on a put-back in the 72nd minute, but that would be all the hosts would get offensively.

The Illinois defense was once again outstanding, holding the Bulldogs to just eight shots, only three of which were on goal. In three games this season, the Illini have allowed just seven shots on goal. The Illini managed nine shots in the match, eight of which were on goal. Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia notched two saves in the victory.

"Our defensive effort was outstanding today," Rayfield said. "We emphasized defense all off-season and now our team is focused on it and believes that defense can win games. When Georgia got the ball into the box we really put them under a lot of pressure and kept them from having a lot of opportunities."

What makes the win even more impressive is that the Illini were with out starting midfielder Christine Sinak, who injured her hamstring in the season opener against Oakland. She did not make the trip south this weekend, but is expected to return next week for the Illinois Invitational.

Up Next: The Illini return home next weekend to host the Illinois Invitational at Illini Soccer Stadium. On Friday, Sept. 12 the Orange and Blue will face Evansville at 7:30 p.m. and then on Sunday, Sept. 14, they will play host to inter-state rival Illinois State at 3 p.m.

Game Summary

Illinois at Georgia * 9/5/03 * Athens, Ga.


Team		1st	2nd	Final
Illinois		1	1	2
Georgia		0	1	1

Goals:
Time	Team	Goal			Assist				Description
31:31	ILL	Kolze, Meghan		Christen, Karniski		Kolze header off of Karniski restart
53:56	ILL	Tiffani Walker		Unassisted			Walker beat keeper from  20 yards out
71:58	GA	Jessica Winton		Unassisted			Put-back after saved shot

Shots: ILL 9, UGA 8
SOG: ILL 8, UGA 3
Saves: ILL 2, UGA 6
Corner Kicks: ILL 4, UGA 1