Despite missing three seniors from the lineup because of injury, the Illinois soccer team dispatched Cincinnati today 1-0 at Illinois Soccer Stadium in an exhibition matchup.  The game was played with three 30-minute periods, rather than the standard two 45-minute halves.  Illinois tallied the game's only goal in the third period when sophomore Marissa Mykines found redshirt junior Christina Sahly with a through ball into the 18 yard box.  Sahly outfought a Bearcat defender for the ball, then beat the keeper with a low shot toward the far post.

Janet Rayfield was happy overall with her team's performance, especially down three starters.  She spoke with me about it shortly after the game.  Other standouts for the Illini today included junior Danielle Kot on the back line, who was the lone returning back line starter in the lineup to begin the game.  Freshman Niki Read impressed with her level of skill with the ball throughout her time on the field.  She and Sahly created most of the Illini's scoring chances on the day.

The missing seniors today were midfielders Courtney Bell and Jackie Santacaterina, and forward Chichi Nweke.  Rayfield said that Bell was probably for next Friday's season opener against Illinois State, while Nweke is questionable, and Santacaterina is out.  Bell turned an ankle in practice this week, while Nweke tweaked her left knee earlier in the week.  Santacaterina has a screw in her left foot after breaking a bone playing in the W-League this summer.  The screw will come out next week, and she hopes to be back in time for the game against UCLA on September 4.

Illinois outshot Cincinnati 8-7, while the Bearcats held the advantage in corner kicks 7-2. Freshman  Steph Panozzo came off the bench for Illinois in the third period and made three big saves to preserve the shutout.

Next Friday's contest against Illinois State can be heard live on WDWS at 7 pm.

bmoline@wdws.com