Sept. 23, 2007

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Illinois soccer team collected its fourth shutout of the season with a 3-0 victory over the Indiana State Sycamores at the ISU Soccer Complex on Sunday. Three different Illini notched goals en route to Illinois' fourth win in a row, as the Orange and Blue improve to 5-2-0 on the season.

"Mentally, it was a real challenge for us to on the road after a great win at home last weekend against Florida," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "To get two wins on the road in that kind of situation is what tough teams are made of."

Illinois took control early against the Sycamores (4-6-0), as senior forward Ella Masar tallied her fifth goal of the season in the third minute. Senior defender Kristy Weeks drove the ball down the right side to the end line before crossing to an unguarded Masar, who tapped the ball in from two yards out for a 1-0 lead.

Junior midfielder Marti Desjarlais made it 2-0 in the 18th minute after Jessica Levitt passed a ball from the left flank into the six-yard box. The ball rolled across the box before Desjarlais took control of it and fired a shot from the right corner. Her first attempt was blocked by ISU goalkeeper Rachel Rudzis, but Desjarlais took the rebound and punched it in for her second goal of the season.

The Illini continued to dominate in the second half, tacking on another goal in the 71st minute to make it 3-0. Masar took control of the ball at the top of the box and dribbled into the 18-yard box before passing ahead to sophomore midfielder Jackie Santacaterina. Santacaterina fired the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out for her first goal of the season.

The Orange and Blue defense stifled the ISU offensive attack throughout the match, allowing the Sycamores just three shots to Illinois' 19. The Illini also out-cornered the Sycamores, 5-2. Overall, Rayfield was pleased with the Illini's performance on both sides of the ball.

"We were much sharper and better in terms of dictating the game than we were Friday," Rayfield said. "We were solid in the back all day today and had better movement up front."

Illinois goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens tallied her third shutout of the season with one save behind the dominant Orange and Blue back line. The shutout marked the 20th of Carstens' career.

"This weekend toughened us up," Rayfield said. "We weren't at home in the ideal conditions we're used to and that will help us when we go on the road in the Big Ten."

The Illini will begin Big Ten play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (CT) when they travel to Ohio State. The Orange and Blue finish up the weekend on the road against No. 17 Penn State Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT). Sunday's match versus the Nittany Lions will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.