The goals for the Illini soccer team coming into Sunday’s game against Missouri were to control the ball and distribute the scoring attack; they did both and they came away with a 4-1 victory.

Each Illinois goal was scored by a different player, three of them coming from midfielders.

Junior midfielder Laura Redmond started the Illini scoring attack with a goal from 10 yards out, assisted by sophomore Eva Strickland.

Then senior midfielder Alaree Gunville added to the lead, scoring the first goal of her career on a cross service from junior defender Christen Karniski.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Gunville said about scoring her first goal. “Credit Christen, I was all alone at the top of the box and she got the ball to me. I’m glad I got the monkey off my back.”

Senior forward Andrea Ridgeway finished the scoring in the first half for the Illini in dramatic fashion with an unassisted corner kick goal giving Illinois a 3-0 lead going into halftime.

“We were dynamic up front today,” Rayfield said. “We were able to score in many different ways.”

Rayfield said it was good to see midfielders involved in the scoring attack.

“It will give them confidence for the season,” Rayfield said. “Anybody can score on this team and that will make us harder to defend. The other teams cannot just key on Hurless or Ridgeway anymore.”

Another key was the Illini defense.

“It was all about defensive organization,” Rayfield said. “We were able to create turnovers and that is the key to our offensive attack. When our outside backs are able to attack, it allows our front to defend and that makes us a good team on both sides of the ball.”

In the second half, Illinois lost its bid for a shutout when Missouri’s Jennifer Nobis scored, making it a 3-1 game.

“We really wanted the shutout,” Redmond said. “We had a defensive breakdown in the second half and let them score. We need to stay focused throughout the whole game. We play every game for a shutout.”

Senior midfielder Christine Sinak answered back, scoring on a header off senior Tara Hurless’ corner kick.

“At times we were able to move the ball well,” Rayfield said. “(Missouri) made it difficult for us in the first half by bringing their defenders up high; we opened it up in the second half which allowed us to score a goal in the second half.”

The Illini also had a goal taken away from them in the second half because of a penalty.

Overall, the Illini were happy with their performance.

“We played really well today,” Gunville said. “Starting the season with a win is a great thing, because it will give us a lot of momentum going into the rest of the year.”

Although the Illini played well, there are some things Rayfield said the team needs to improve.

“We need to work on finishing our goal scoring opportunities,” Rayfield said. “In the first half we had a great opportunity and we weren’t able to capitalize. In a tighter game, we’ll have to be able to put those away. Plus we had too many balls bouncing in our own box. So, we’ll be working in both penalty boxes this week.”