Junior Stephen Prochaska (19) was an imposing figure for the Illineks during the 2007 Soccer Shoot Out. Here he takes on junior Cory Whitington of Oakwood in the tournament's first game. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

(To visit our photo gallery of the Soccer Shoot Out, click here.)

URBANA — Led by the playmaking skills of seniors Jake Seeley and Sam Imlay, along with sophomore Dan Lilly's 2 goals, the Uni boys soccer team opened the 2007 season with a 5-1 victory over the Oakwood Comets Saturday morning at the DCR Soccer Complex.

The game was the first of three that the Illineks will play today as they host the seventh annual Uni High Soccer Shoot Out. The other teams participating besides Uni and Oakwood are Blue Ridge and Fisher.

The Comets got on board first with a goal 9 minutes into the game. But Lilly evened the score 12 minutes later thanks to an assist by Imlay. Holden Bucher gave Uni the lead with 7 minutes left in the half. Fellow junior Stephen Prochaska assisted on the play.

After the break, Seeley — a 2006 News-Gazette all-area honorable mention player — extended Uni's advantage with a goal 13 minutes into the second half. Imlay earned his second assist of the game on that play.

Eleven minutes later Seeley returned the favor, assisting on Imlay's first goal of the season.

With 2 minutes remaining, Lilly notched his second goal, with an assist from the only freshman on the varsity squad, David Hjelmstad.

Senior Isaac Radnitzer made a strong debut as Uni's full-time goalkeeper, recording 6 saves, 3 in each half. Radnitzer shared the keeper spot last season with classmate Mike Renner, who decided not to play this year.

Overall, the Illineks recorded 10 shots on goal, with 6 coming in the first half.

Today marks the debut of the team's new head coach, Phil Anders, who coached the Uni girls last spring.

For a stretch of about 15 minutes, Anders said, the Illineks played the way they've practiced, controlling the ball and creating opportunities.

"Every coach brings up chess, but it is chess — it is strategy," Anders said. "You read the game, not react."

Uni will play two more contests today: against Blue Ridge at 11:45 a.m. and against Fisher at 4:15 p.m.

The Illineks have won all six previous Shoot Out titles.

2007 UNI HIGH SOCCER SHOOT OUT

First Game: UNI vs. Oakwood

UNI 5, Oakwood 1

UNI SCORING

First half, 9 minutes left: Dan Lilly, with Sam Imlay assist

First half, 7 minutes left: Holden Bucher, with Stephen Prochaska assist

SCORE AT HALFTIME: UNI 2, Oakwood 1

Second half, 17 minutes left: Jake Seeley, with Sam Imlay assist

Second half, 6 minutes left: Sam Imlay, with Jake Seeley assist

Second half, 2 minutes left: Dan Lilly, with David Hjelmstad assist

UNI FINAL STATS

Dan Lilly, 2 goals

Sam Imlay, 1 goal, 2 assists

Jake Seeley, 1 goal, 1 assist

Holden Bucher, 1 goal

David Hjelmstad, 1 assist

Stephen Prochaska, 1 assist

Isaac Radnitzer, 6 saves (3 in each half)