Aug. 25, 2006

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. - It took nearly all of regulation to get on the board, but No. 13 Illinois gutted out a 1-0 victory over South Carolina in the first game of the Nike Tiger Invitational hosted by the University of Missouri. Illini junior forward Ella Masar notched the game-winner in the 84th minute off an assist from freshman defender Emily Pickard and Illinois held off a late Gamecock rally to start the 10th year of Illini soccer 1-0.

"We came out after halftime with very good intensity and composure," Illinois coach Janet Rayfield said. "It just seemed like the pressure was off and we stopped second-guessing ourselves, and that freed us to utilize the strengths we had on the field."

The Illini started slowly in the first half, giving up a pair of shots on goal in the first five minutes. But Illinois recovered and made it a back-and-forth match with the Gamecocks, going into halftime in a scoreless tie. The Illini were dealt a blow in the 39th minute when starting goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens (West Chester, Ohio) earned a red card for a disputed intentional handball outside the box. Carstens challenged a Gamecock attacker outside the box and the Carolina player's shot went off Carstens' arm, triggering a red card from the official and putting freshman Alexandra Kapicka (Arlington Heights, Ill.) between the pipes.

"The first 20 minutes, they were winning every 50-50 ball," Illinois coach Janet Rayfield said. "We looked a little tentative at the beginning, but when Lindsey got thrown out, we decided to take the warrior mentality that we needed from the beginning."

After more than 28 minutes of scoreless soccer in the second half, Masar (Urbana, Ill.) broke the stalemate with a breakaway goal to the far post at 83:29 off a feed from Pickard (Hinsdale, Ill.).

The key for the Illini was their second-half defense, which responded favorably after Carstens' ejection and center back Kara Gostisha (West Chester, Ohio) was injured when she collided with Kapicka. Illinois allowed just one shot on goal in the second half and played much more aggressively, earning four fouls to the Gamecocks' five after halftime.

"In the second half, M.T. (McDonnell), Shannon (McDonnell), Pickard and Jessica Levitt were absolute battlers," Rayfield said. "Levitt was matched against their top forward, she won that individual battle and that made the difference."

The Illini have a day off before facing host Missouri on Sunday at 1 p.m. Because of her red card, Carstens will not be available for Sunday's match. But Rayfield feels comfortable with Kapicka in goal after her performance on Friday.

"She stepped in and did a great job," Rayfield said. "She made a nice save and also came out and authoritatively punched out a corner kick in a crowd."