Sept. 18, 2009

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois soccer got back to its winning ways on Friday night, defeating Loyola-Chicago 2-0 at the Illinois Soccer Stadium in front of 758 fans. The Illini goals were scored by junior Jordan Hilbrands and sophomore Marissa Mykines, with senior Chichi Nweke picking up an assist. Hilbrands' goal was her team-leading sixth of the season as the Illini improve to 4-3-1 on the year.

"A win is a win, but this was a game where we did not have as much energy as we would like to have," Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. "We couldn't get into a rhythm. We had lots of chances, but we would have liked to finish more. We're a better team than we showed tonight, and we need to find a way to bring the energy every day. I give Loyola credit for keeping us out of a rhythm and poking the ball away, but Illinois has to step up and play Illinois soccer. This team has come a long way since the beginning of the year, but today wasn't a day where we really showed that. We are a better team, and we have another chance to show that on Sunday before Big Ten play starts."

The Illini dominated most of the match, out-shooting Loyola-Chicacgo (1-8-0) by a 19-8 margin and owning a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Orange and Blue had a couple of offensive chances early, with a shot by Niki Read and a header on goal by Hilbrands. In the 18th, Mykines got the ball in the Illini backfield and dribbled to inside the Ramblers' 18-yard box, beating five Loyola-Chicago defenders on her way. She had a good look at the goal, but her shot attempt went just wide.

Mykines made up for it in the 28th, when she scored on a free kick to make the score 1-0 in favor of the Orange and Blue. The sophomore's shot just outside the box sailed to the upper right corner of the goal, marking the first time Illinois has scored on a free kick in over two seasons. Mykines now has three goals on the year, all of which are unassisted. Sophomore Julie Ewing had a near-miss minutes later, as she came up from the defense after a through ball for a one-on-one chance on goal. Ewing got a shot off, but it was saved by Ramblers' keeper Katie Groesch.

The Ramblers' best offensive chance of the first half came in the 15th, with Illinois keeper Alexandra Kapicka punching out a shot attempt by Casey Berrier. Loyola's Ashley Morawski had a chance to score on the rebound, but her shot went wide of frame.

The Illini carried a 1-0 lead into halftime, out-shooting the Ramblers' 10-4. In the second half, Illinois had shots on goal by Nweke, Read and Courtney Bell before Hilbrands connected late to make the score 2-0. In the 85th, Nweke received the ball on the left flank, sending a pass across the goal which Hilbrands finished inside the box.

Kapicka made three saves on the night and now has 12 career shutouts. Groesch made seven saves for the Ramblers.

Illinois will play its final non-conference match of the season on Sunday in hosting Milwaukee (2-4-3) at noon at the Illinois Soccer Stadium.