For the first time in program history the Illinois soccer team earned the No. 1 ranking in the Great Lakes NCAA Regional Rankings. Illinois’ rank, as voted on by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, had been as high as No. 2 on multiple occasions in the 2006, 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The Illini are also closing in on a spot in the NSCAA Top-25 rankings. Just three spots out, the Orange and Blue received 55 total votes. The team had tallied just two last week.

“You’re going to see a lot more shifting in those polls,” Illini head coach Janet Rayfield said. “This shows that we’re competing at the regional level, which will eventually lead up to the national level.

“We’ve been second a lot, so for us to step up is a great step for the program. This team is looking to do things we’ve never done before, and this team is capable of achieving those things so it’s very exciting. This ranking signifies that we’re on the right path and we’re moving quickly. We’re in the mix of things and where we want to be and want to keep it going.”

Goals coming early, often for two Illini

Not since 2005 had an Illinois soccer player scored at least one goal in three straight games. In 2010 it’s happened twice — by two different players.

Freshman Vanessa DiBernardo scored in the first three games of the season. The Naperville, Ill., native hit the back of the net against Loyola-Chicago, Wright State and Ball State.

Senior Jordan Hilbrands has scored in the Illini’s past three games. Last season’s Illini Offensive MVP and leading goal scorer tallied goals against Ball State, Connecticut and Yale.

“It’s just good to score goals,” Hilbrands said. “Whether it comes in three straight games or every other game; as long as goals are coming for the team I think that’s a good thing.”

Both DiBernardo and Hilbrands are tied for the most goals on the team with three.

Illini on pace for shutout record

With three shutouts in the team’s first five games, Illinois has a chance to eclipse the single-season shutout record of 12, something the Illini set out to do from the beginning of the season.

The goal is one this year’s seniors came up with in January.

“I think this is a defensive team that’s capable of shutting out a lot of opponents,” Rayfield said. “As we go after those the question is, ‘Can we keep a team off the scoreboard for five minutes?’

“Absolutely, we just have to do it a lot of times to get 13 shutouts. Defense is something we pride ourselves on and you can say it in a lot of sports that defense wins championships. Their goal-scoring may be all over the map but all teams play good defense. Defense is and always will be something that this program takes great pride in.”