Sept. 9, 2007

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Illinois soccer team notched three first-half goals en route to a 4-0 victory over the Cal State Northridge Matadors on Sunday at the UCLA Women's Cup. Senior forward Ella Masar led the way with one goal and one assist, while three other Illini also contributed goals.

The Illini (2-2) wasted no time finding the back of the net, as senior midfielder Kara Gostisha notched her first career goal in the second minute of the match. Gostisha, who has typically played in the backfield, moved to the midfield to give the Illini a more physical presence. The move paid off for the Orange and Blue when Masar sent a free kick inside the 18-yard box and Gostisha headed the ball in to give Illinois a 1-0 lead over the Matadors (0-3-1).

With freshman midfielder Danielle Kot and senior defender Mary Therese McDonnell on the bench due to sickness and injury, head coach Janet Rayfield made other adjustments as well, moving junior forward Jessica Levitt to the back line and starting junior defender Jamie Alvis in the backfield. While both Kot and McDonnell are expected to be ready for Illinois' next match, Rayfield was pleased with how the team handled the adjustments.

"This game was more of a gut check and we came through it really well," Rayfield said. "We had to make some adjustments with some players out, and I thought the core of this team stepped up and responded well to those adjustments."

The Orange and Blue continued to step up in the first half with two more goals. Freshman forward Laura Knutson made it three consecutive games with a goal after she rocketed a shot into the top of the net in the 30th minute on an assist from sophomore forward Courtney Bell. Knutson, along with Masar, leads the Illini with seven points on the season.

The Illini netted their third goal just before the break after Bell crossed to redshirt freshman forward Christina Sahly from the right flank and Sahly headed the ball in for a 3-0 Illinois lead at halftime. It was Sahly's first career goal.

"Courtney [Bell] was working hard up front to possess the ball and she was able to find players with opportunities to score," Rayfield said. "And when you have a natural goal-scorer like Sahly, you just have to find her in the box because she has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net."

The Illini continued to dominate throughout the game, owning a 16-8 shot advantage while also out-cornering the Matadors, 4-3. Masar notched the last Illini goal in the final minute as she took a ball from freshman forward Chichi Nweke on a breakaway to an open net, tallying her third goal of the season.

Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens had four saves on the day and picked up her 19th career shutout. It marked the second shutout this season for the Illini.

Illinois will return to the field on Friday, Sept. 14, as the Florida Gators come to the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium for a 5 p.m. match. The game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.