The Illinois soccer team remains unbeaten after a 1-1 tie against the host Denver Pioneers this afternoon.  The Illini allowed an early Denver goal in the fourth minute off of a corner kick.  The score remained unchanged until the 80th minute, when junior midfielder Cory Steigerwald gathered a loose ball off a corner kick and put it in the back of the net from ten yards out.

Illinois appears to have controlled the game statistically, as they outshot the Pioneers 23-5, including seven shots on goal to Denver's four.  The Illini also held the edge in corner kicks 9-3.  The box score does not include total minutes for each player, but junior Jordan Hilbrands got the start at forward over senior Chichi Nweke today.  Hilbrands tallied two goals in Friday's 2-1 win over Colorado.

The other ten starters were the same as Friday's lineup.  Two Illini saw action today who did not play in Friday's match:  freshman midfielder Nicole Denenberg and junior defender Laura Knutson.  Freshman Niki Read led the Illini with five shots, while defender Julie Ewing came out of the back to tally four shots.

Three Illini players garnered all-tournament honors:  Hilbrands, junior defender Krystin Miller and sophomore midfielder Marissa Mykines.  Denver and Colorado also boasted three all-tournament selections.  The 2-0-1 Illini will return home on Friday to battle national power UCLA.  WDWS will carry this game on tape delay immediately after St. Louis Cardinal baseball, starting approximately at 9 pm.  Thanks for reading.

bmoline@wdws.com