By Michael Belmont

Gargoyle sports editor

Posted Friday, April 20, 2007, The OG, girls soccer & sports

Shara Esbenshade in action Thursday against

conference opponent Decatur Christian. (Gargoyle

photo) (click to enlarge)

URBANA — Senior goalkeeper Mandy Grill recorded her second shutout of the season as the Illineks defeated conference opponent Decatur Christian 3-0 Thursday at DCR Fields.

The win raises Uni's record to 3-4-1 overall and 2-0 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

The Illineks jumped on the visiting Warriors quickly, establishing themselves as the dominant team early in the match. According to head coach Phil Anders, Uni outshot its opponents 15-1 in the first half.

Despite their superior play, the girls were unable to convert before the break.

The Illineks' best chances came toward the end of the half.

Junior midfielder Shara Esbenshade shot just wide of the post with around 16 minutes left, while sophomore forward Joy Shapley nailed a shot that the DC goalie was barely able to tip over the crossbar with slightly more than 11 minutes to go. Junior midfielder Chelsea Freeland nearly converted an opportunity less than a minute after that.

“We were quite panicky in front of the goal,” said Anders. “Against a tougher opponent we can't take [more than] 20 shots and come away with 3 goals.”

The Illineks continued their dominance in the second half, putting 10 shots on target and holding DC to none.

This time, though, the girls began finding the back of the net. Freshman forward Erika Belmont poked in Uni's first goal — Belmont's third of the season — just a few minutes into the half when the ball came to her during a melee in the 18-yard box.

Although the team continued to create good chances, including a breakaway by junior forward Suran Yoo with just under 20 minutes to play, it wasn't until the 13:17 mark that Uni scored again, this time on a beautiful turn and far-post shot from Shapley off an Esbenshade corner kick. The goal was Shapley's second of the season.

Slightly more than two minutes later, Freeland followed up a Belmont shot and scored her first goal of the season.

The Illineks continued to put pressure on their opponents until the final whistle, with Esbenshade and freshman Michelle Wong making substantial contributions to Uni's offense from the midfield.

Anders appreciated the opportunity for more people to shine.

“Chelsea got a goal. Other people got the ball and got to play. That's going to help us down the road,” he said.

“There were some really nice goals,” said junior midfielder Zoë Schein.

The team is looking to keep improving though.

“We can do better,” said Yoo.

Grill notched her first shutout of the season a week ago against Macon Meridian, when the Illineks blanked the Hawks 1-0. Last year, Grill had three shutouts to her credit.

Next up: The team will travel to Class AA Mahomet-Seymour for a nonconference game Tuesday. The match begins at 4:30 p.m.

VARSITY RECORD: 3-4-1 overall, 2-0 East Central Illinois Conference

(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 scoring recap: Michelle Wong (penalty kick, first half)

— story: Uni drops season opener

March 30: Centennial, L 3-0

— Illinek scoring recap: no goals

— story: History is repeated in 3-0 loss to Centennial

April 3: Urbana, game canceled because of wet field conditions (will not be rescheduled)

April 5: at Monticello, T 2-2

— Illinek scoring recap: Erika Belmont (first half); Joy Shapley (second half)

— story: Illineks come back to tie Monticello

April 10: at Charleston, L 7-1

— Illinek scoring recap: Erika Belmont (first half)

— story: Close game turns into lopsided loss to Charleston

April 12: Macon Meridian, W 1-0

— Illinek scoring recap: Sarah Pfander (second half)

— story: Pfander's goal lifts Uni over Meridian for first win

April 14: Normal Calvary Baptist, * W 3-2

— Illinek scoring recap: Suran Yoo (2 goals, both first half); Sarah Pfander (first half)

— story: Illineks ignore rain, mud to win second straight

April 17: St. Thomas More, L 4-1

— Illinek scoring recap: Suran Yoo (second half)

— story: Illineks fall again to St. Thomas More

April 19: Decatur Christian, * W 3-0

— Illinek scoring recap: Erika Belmont (second half); Joy Shapley (second half); Chelsea Freeland (second half)

— story: see above

*East Central Illinois Conference opponent

Remaining games: see schedule