Posted: 9/16/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Josh Birnbaum Illinois' Chichi Nweke tries to outrun Florida's Shana Hudson during the game at Illinois Soccer Stadium in Champaign on Friday. Illinois defeated the No. 9 Gators, 1-0.

The Illinois soccer team found itself tied at zero against the ninth-best team in the country 83 minutes into the contest.

By the 84th minute, they had all but clinched the game.

The Illini (3-2-0) defeated No. 9 Florida (3-2-0) on Friday 1-0 in front of the second-largest home crowd in the program's history. Senior forward Ella Masar scored the game's only goal on a breakaway with just under seven minutes remaining.



"I had faith we'd put it in the back of the net," Masar said. "We were going all out every minute of this game and at halftime (head coach Janet Rayfield) said, 'Keep hammerin', keep hammerin', keep hammerin'. You guys can get it in,' and we did."

For the 1,264 fans watching in the first period, the Illini displayed what Rayfield described as "the best half of soccer" they've played all season. Illinois constantly pressured the Gators into turning the ball over, creating a seemingly endless attack for the Illini offense. The Illini outshot and outcornered the Gators, who were only able to challenge goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens one time with a shot on goal.

"We dominated most of the game," Masar said of the victory. "We came out here physically and we took it to them. And that's all you can do. It's your home turf in front of amazing fans and we went at them for 90 minutes and we came out victorious."

With the game broadcasted on Big Ten Network, both teams had the benefit of a TV timeout midway through each half. The Illini offense flowed so well and was rested enough from the extra stoppage that Rayfield didn't even substitute until nearly 30 minutes into the game when freshman Laura Knutson checked in.

Even with the offense in synch during the first half, Illinois wasn't able to finish its attacks with a goal.

Continued...

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