Aug. 17, 2008

Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Junior forward Chichi Nweke tallied a pair of goals to lead the Illinois soccer to team a 4-1 victory over Xavier in the Illini's only exhibition match of the 2008 season. The Orange and Blue open the regular season on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. against the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Mo.

After Nweke gave the Illini a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute thanks to an assist from junior midfielder Jackie Santacaterina, Illinois busted the game open with three more goals in the second half. Senior midfielder Marti Desjarlais opened the second-half scoring the 56th minute on an assist from sophomore forward Jordan Hilbrands, while junior midfielder Courtney Bell made it 3-0 newcomer Marissa Mykines' assist. Bell also assisted on Nweke's second goal of the game in the 66th minute.

The Orange and Blue's offensive attack overpowered Xavier, out-shooting the Musketeers, 19-7, and out-cornering them, 5-3.