Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini opened the 2015 soccer season with a bang as Illinois dominated Oakland on Friday night (Aug. 21). The Illini took a 4-1 victory over the visiting Golden Grizzlies thanks to goals from redshirt senior Janelle Flaws, senior Reagan Robishaw and junior Hope D'Addario.

Flaws accounted for two goals on the night, both in the first half of play, marking the seventh time in her career that she has scored two or more goals in the same half of a game. Flaws now owns 44 career goals, which sits second all-time at Illinois, she needs just four more this season to sit atop the career goals record list for the program.

Flaws' first score came off of a corner kick, with the assist going to D'Addario. Her second goal came just over a minute later, assisted by Robishaw.

Illinois proved its dominance early on, taking seven shots to Oakland's two in the first half. The Illini would fire 15 shots on the game while only allowing five from the Golden Grizzlies.

Sophomore Kara Marbury got the momentum moving for Illinois early in the first half as she fired off back-to-back shots early in the game. Not long after, the aggressiveness led to Flaws' first goal.

The second half started with a bang as Robishaw knocked in her goal in the 46^th minute of play. Once again, the scoring play began with a corner kick for the Illini.

Oakland was able to tally a goal of its own, but The Illini responded just five minutes later as D'Addario scored unassisted for the Orange and Blue.

Goalkeeper Claire Wheatley is 1-0 on the season. She minded the net for the complete game, recording two saves to open her junior season.

With a 1-0 record on the season, Illinois continues play at Illinois State on Sunday. The game is set for a 7 p.m. kick off in Normal, Ill. A full recap and stats will be posted on FIGHTINGILLINI.com following the game. 

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