College of Charleston
Illinois
CofC W. Soccer Downed By Illinois
9/6/2014 2:46:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Photos (Temporary album, more photos to follow)
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston women's soccer team suffered a 3-0 defeat to a first-class Illinois team in front of 542 fans as part of the CofC Cup at Patriots Point on Friday evening.
Charleston (2-3-0) was unable to overcome three first-half Illini goals in the affair, despite asserting themselves and creating possession and a more-forward drive in the second half.
“We prepared all week for a team which we knew was very good,” said head coach Christian Michner. “Illinois IS very good. Coach Rayfield has done a great job with that group for many years. We knew we were going to have our hands full.
“The difference between the two teams was Illinois was constantly in motion and looking to make things happen, and my team was a little bit on the back foot. It's always tough to be the team dictating the play when you're reacting to things as they go by. We gave up the early goal and that hurt us early on.”
Before the match took any sort of shape, Illini winger Nicole Breece made a lacerating run up the left side of the pitch towards the endline before centering the ball for Reagan Robishaw, who volleyed the ball home from the six yard line for a third minute goal.
Just over 10 minutes later, Illinois found the net again on one of 10 corner kick attempts they earned in the match. Hope D'Addario played the initial ball over the crowd contending in the box, but Janelle flaws retrieved it and played a low ball to Allison Stucky who capitalized, establishing the Illini as benefactors of two goals on their first three shots.
The Cougars stingily defended Illinois' remaining nine corners, but in the 33rd minute Robishaw collected a ball at the threshold of their attacking third and diced through the center of the defense before unselfishly sliding a late pass to Kara Marbury who relayed it to the net for the 3-0 lead.
A few minutes later, the Cougars earned a corner of their earn and senior Sarah Cardamone played an inviting ball into the box where Claire Newman elevated above the crowd to get her head to the ball, but her attempt crept over the crossbar and into the top of the goal netting.
Charleston's defense was equal to the threats the Illini created in the second period, and CofC even established their own possessions for intermittent spells, but the Cougars couldn't string their final passes together in the attacking third of the field.
Lauren Killian played a full 90 minutes in goal for the Cougars and made six saves in the contest. The Cougar backline of Newman, Allison Sender, Hope Walker and Rio Speller-Drews all offered a full 90 minutes as well.
Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield, the winningest coach in program history, earned head coaching victory number 200 with the result.
CofC will conclude the CofC Cup against Jacksonville which earned a 2-0 result over UAB in the opener of the CofC Cup. The Cougars and Dolphins are set for a 2:30 kickoff on Sunday afternoon.
“It's a quick turnaround so we'll start the recovery process immediately,” said Michner. “We have to forget about this one to some degree and start to focus on how to be successful against Jacksonville, who won today. It won't be an easy match, but we have an amazing group of girls who will get after it. We'll recover over the next 36 hours, lace them up tight, and kick hard on Sunday.”
Players Mentioned
