Soccer wins 2 in tourney

The team beat No. 13 Illinois 5-0.

By Ryan Huber

Published Aug. 29, 2006

The MU soccer team capped off the weekend with a 2-0 win over Iowa and a commanding 5-0 win over No. 13 Illinois this weekend at Walton Stadium.

Nerves and tensions were high heading into Friday's season opener against Iowa but were quickly eased. Twelve minutes into the match, sophomore forward Ashley Hamblin drew a penalty kick and calmly stepped up to net her first goal of the tournament. Despite many chances, the Tigers posted just a single goal in each half, but the young defense preserved the shutout in the face of several late attacks from the Hawkeyes.

Coach Bryan Blitz said he was pleased with his team's effort Friday night against Iowa.

"For our first game, it was a good outing," he said. "Some things we did really well, and some things we have to work on. They certainly showed their worth today."

With the first game behind them, the Tigers rested up for their next big test, No. 13 Illinois.

"Physically, we are going to be as good as any team in the country," Blitz said. "Our biggest issue right now is just making sure we stay mentally tough. We want our team to press and set the tone early. And if the by-product of that is goals, then that's awesome."

For MU, the goals came early and often. Just two minutes into the game, senior forward Elyse Nikonchuk redirected a free kick from sophomore midfielder Meggie Malm for her first goal of the season. Eight minutes later, Hamblin slipped past the defense and slid the ball inside the near post for her third goal of the year. Hamblin struck again less than two minutes later off of a slot pass from freshman midfielder Michelle Collins to give MU a 3-0 lead.

"It was like a pacemaker," sophomore goalkeeper Mallory Forst said. "Once we got that first goal, it was easier for us to move the game faster, and it gave us more adrenaline and ambition."

The Tigers notched two more goals from the foot of freshman forward Breanna Thornton in the second half to bury any hopes of an Illinois comeback.

"We knew they were going to be a tough opponent," Thornton said. "I feel we are definitely up to par. We are still going when other teams are tired. From here, we have a challenge to not drop our level of play."

Despite not facing the Illini's top goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens after she received a red card two nights earlier against South Carolina, Blitz said he was pleased with his team's performance.

"Every year it's a battle for us," he said. "But honestly, everything went right goal-wise. It's early in the year. We aren't going to get too excited, but we will certainly enjoy this win."

The Tigers will travel to two more Big Ten opponents next weekend when they meet Northwestern and Minnesota in the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge.