UCLA women’s soccer garners 2-1 win at Illini Challenge Cup
By Rebecca Lee
Sept. 4, 2009 7:36 p.m.
The No. 8 UCLA women’s soccer team defeated No. 11 Illinois, 2-1, tonight in the Illini Challenge Cup at the Illinois Soccer Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
The Bruins (2-1-1) ended a 1-1 tie that was held for most of the second half when senior forward Lauren Cheney scored an unassisted goal in the 78th minute. The goal is Cheney’s second this season, and follows her first at Sunday’s 4-0 win against Long Beach State.
Cheney also had a piece in UCLA’s first goal of the match. Within the first four minutes of play, the Bruins got on the scoreboard when Cheney passed inside the 18-yard line to sophomore forward Sydney Leroux, who sent the ball into the lower left post. Leroux scored her fifth goal of the season.
Illinois struck back in the 37th minute off a corner kick, when several Illini players scrambled inside the goal box for the scoring opportunity. Illinois forward Chichi Nweke registered her first goal of the season.
Sophomore defender Whitney Sharpe received a yellow card in the 74th minute.
UCLA outshot Illinois 23-10.
Coach Jill Ellis started the Illinois women’s soccer program and coached the Illini for two seasons before coming to Westwood in 1999.
