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Natasha Karniski scored a rebound goal from a shot off a corner kick in Illinois' 4-0 win over Cincinnati
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Aug. 19, 2005
Cincinnati, Ohio - No. 13 Illinois struck early and often, blowing by Cincinnati 4-0 in the season's final exhibition match in front of 104 fans at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. With another week of practice under their belts and playing against more comparable competition, the Illini looked like a completely different team than in their first exhibition match a week earlier.
Freshman defender Emily Zurrer (Vancouver, B.C.) posted the Illini's first goal, heading in a free kick from Christen Karniski (Iowa City, Iowa) in the 5th minute. Illinois limited the Bearcats to only three first-half shots and only one on goal in the first 90 minutes.
"As we did against the boys' team, we got better as the game went on," Illini coach Janet Rayfield said. "I was pleased with our defensive organization and some of the ideas we had in the attack. Now it's just fine tuning as we get ready for the regular season."
Illinois continued to control the game in the second half and junior forward Eva Strickland (Seattle, Wash.) was the next to take advantage. Strickland broke away from the defense and beat the Bearcat goalkeeper at 18 yards out before punching the ball into the near corner of the net at 48:13 to increase the Illini lead to 2-0.
Senior forward Natasha Karniski (Iowa City, Iowa) then scored on a rebound goal off a corner kick in the 84th minute, with Laura Redmond (Richmond, Md.) picking up the assist as Illinois took a 3-0 advantage. Exactly one minute later, freshman forward Charlotte Cooke (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) broke away from the Bearcat defense and put in a shot from 17 yards out to give the Illini their final margin of 4-0.
Sohpomore goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens (West Chester, Ohio) made two saves in her 67:05 in goal, and senior Rachel Frank (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) preserved the shutout in her 22:55 of action. The Illini defense dominated Cincinnati in the second half, allowing only one shot - not on goal - in the second half.
"Lindsey was really a stabilizing factor early in the game for us," Rayfield said. "The battle of our goalkeepers has forced the level of goalkeeping to the level it needs to be."
Illinois has the week off before facing Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette in the Milwaukee Cup next weekend.
Game Summary * #13 Illinois at Cincinnati * 8/19/05 * Cincinnati, OhioTeam - 1st - 2nd - Final #13 Illinois - 1 - 3 - 4 Cincinnati - 0 - 0 - 0
Scoring Summary: 4:49 - ILL - Emily Zurrer (1) - (Christen Karniski) - header far post off free kick from 30 yards out 48:13 - ILL - Eva Strickland (1) - beat keeper at 18, scored near post 83:57 - ILL - Natasha Karniski (1) - (Laura Redmond) - rebound off a corner kick shot 84:57 - ILL - Charlotte Cooke (1) - broke free from defense, scored near post Shots: ILL 14, CIN 4; SOG: ILL 9, CIN 2; Saves: ILL 2 (Carstens 2), CIN 5 (Sly 3, 1 GA; Hansen 1, 3 GA; Team 1); Corner Kicks: ILL 1, CIN 1
