April 25, 2004

Final Stats

Champaign, Ill. - The Illinois women's soccer team drew first blood against the Mexican National Team on a very windy Sunday afternoon at Illinois Soccer Stadium, but allowed three second half goals to fall 3-1. Illinois' closed the Spring exhibition season with a 4-2-1 record.

"This was a great experience for us to play a team that is savvy and that has the kind of experience they do," said UI Head Coach Janet Rayfield of playing Mexico. "We played this game to learn and make ourselves better for the fall and I think we definitely accomplished that."

The Illini out-shot Mexico 6-3 in the first 45 minutes and got on the board when sophomore Paula Faherty knocked home a penalty kick in the 42nd minute. Mexico tied the game at 1-1 in the 56th minute on an own goal by the Illini when UI defender Sarah Brown inadvertently knocked the ball into the Illinois net while attempting to clear.

Mexico took a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute on a header by Iris Mora. Evelyn Lopez crossed the ball from the right corner and Mora was there at the far post for the score. Then in the 76th minute Mora and Lopez hooked up again on a nearly identical play. Lopez crossed the ball into the box from deep in the right corner and Mora headed it home at the far post to put Mexico up 3-1.

"I think the first half was a good sign for us with respect to our ability to posses the ball," said Rayfield. "Our midfield defense was pretty good in the first half, but it was pretty much the opposite in the second half. Our midfield defense didn't stay as organized and against a good team that's going to cause some problems. We knew coming out in the second half that they were going to try and turn things up and we didn't respond as well as I'd like us to."

Mexico out-shot the Illini 7-2 in the second half and held a 10-8 advantage for the match, while Illinois held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks for the game. Leisha Alcia played all 90 minutes in goal for the Illini and did not make a save on the day. Pamela Tajonar saw all the action in goal for Mexico, making three saves.