By Lizzy Warner & Gargoyle sports staff
Posted Thursday, March 29, 2007, The OG, sports & girls soccer

URBANA — The Uni girls varsity soccer team opened its 2007 season with a 2-1 loss to St. Thomas More Wednesday at DCR Fields.

Michelle Wong scored the Illineks' only goal. The freshman scored on a penalty kick about 25 minutes into the first half.

The visiting Sabers jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes of the game, which was played in cold and wet conditions. Both scores came on breakaway goals, with the first one coming just 3:47 into the contest.

Uni didn't keep an official record of shots on goal, but Illinek head coach Phil Anders estimated St. Thomas More took 20 shots while Uni managed about a dozen. Anders praised senior goalkeeper Mandy Grill, last year's Illinek MVP.

“She made some great saves, especially toward the end of the game,” he said. “She does a good job of communicating with her teammates.”

Anders is in his first year as Uni head coach, replacing Bill DeJarnette, who continued as coach of the boys team in the fall.

So what did Anders think of his team's first performance of the season?

“We did well,” he said. “Things are still gelling. St. Thomas More has good, solid players. It was a respectable game. I've been thrilled coaching this team. Everyone works hard. I think it shows. I love this game because it's a thinking person's game. I expect a lot of creativity. That's what I saw out there. We had a lot of opportunities when we got behind their defense.”

Although it might not seem like a major accomplishment, the simple fact that Uni scored a goal in its first game is a sign of improvement. Last year the team went scoreless in its first five contests.

With a combination of experienced varsity players such as Grill and newcomers like Wong and fellow freshman Erika Belmont, Anders believes good things are on the way.

“At this point it's a matter of building the confidence that we know how to read and react,” he said. “I don't see us as a team with a superstar. To do well everyone has to contribute. I think this team is a true team.”

The Illineks, who are coming off a 4-15 season, play Class AA Centennial 4:30 p.m. Friday at DCR. The Chargers shut out Uni 3-0 last year.

VARSITY RECORD: 0-1 overall
(Games at DCR Fields are in bold)

Season Preview: Illineks look for improvement as season begins today

March 28: St. Thomas More, L 2-1
— Illinek goal: Michelle Wong (penalty kick)
— story: see above

Remaining games: see schedule

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