By Michael Belmont
Gargoyle sports editor
Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007, The OG, girls soccer & sports

URBANA — After a two-game win streak, the girls soccer team suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss to St. Thomas More today at DCR Fields.

The game was a rematch of the Illineks' season debut, when STM defeated Uni 2-1.

Today's contest was a late addition to Uni's schedule after the team's April 3 game with Urbana was canceled due to poor field conditions and could not be rescheduled.

With the nonconference loss, the Illineks are now 2-4-1.

However, Uni generated more offense this time around than the score would suggest.

According to the Illineks' official game statistics, the Sabers held only a 6 to 5 advantage in shots in a first half that saw the visitors jump to a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Uni put 8 shots on goal, while STM only managed 4.

In the match's opening minutes the team showed itself capable of attacking. Eight minutes into the game, freshman Erika Belmont launched a shot from outside the 18-yard box that deflected off another player and was narrowly saved by the STM keeper.

Just over five minutes later the Sabers struck back. Though senior goalkeeper Mandy Grill was able to prevent a hard STM shot from going directly into goal, she was unable to prevent the rebound from rolling past her into the net.

The goal had a noticeable psychological effect. Uni suddenly seemed flat and demoralized, a state of mind that lasted for much of the rest of the half.

“We let the [first goal] get to us,” said junior Shara Esbenshade.

The visitors capitalized on the momentum shift quickly. Three minutes later STM scored again, only to have the goal called back by referees for violation of the offside rule.

Nevertheless, the Sabers finished a cross into the box less than seven minutes later, with 16:45 left in the first half.

Uni showed signs of life late in the period when junior Zoë Schein hit a long-range shot just over the crossbar, but the Illineks were unable to score before the half.

STM tallied another goal five minutes after play resumed to continue its offensive spree. It was only later in the half that Uni reasserted itself.

With 23 minutes left in the game, Belmont had another shot saved by the STM keeper, then put a third opportunity wide of the post moments later.

Uni was able to put together a number of other promising offensive sequences before junior Suran Yoo finally put one in with 12:30 left in the game, her team-leading third goal of the season.

Infused with fresh hope, the Illineks continued their frantic push to even the score. With 6:30 remaining freshman Michelle Wong connected with a pass from Yoo into the box, but her shot hit the crossbar. Two minutes later, sophomore Jessi Sullivan broke up an STM fast break, but the Sabers managed a fourth and final goal with less than two minutes remaining.

“For us it's just a matter of clearing the ball in front of the goal,” said head coach Phil Anders. “Those first three goals were just mistakes.”

Though Anders thought the girls did not perform as well today as they did in the last couple games, he felt the team could have fared better with a little luck.

“If a couple bounces had gone our way, our mental state probably would have been better,” he said. “We looked like we were dominating at times.”

The Illineks will take on Decatur Christian, an East Central Illinois Conference opponent, Thursday at DCR fields. The game is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Uni is 1-0 in ECIC play after Saturday's 3-2 win over Normal Calvary Baptist.

VARSITY RECORD: 2-4-1 overall, 1-0 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: see above

*East Central Illinois Conference opponent

Remaining games: see schedule