CHAMPAIGN — Judah Christian defeated the Illineks 5-0 Tuesday, handing the visitors their first loss of the 2007 soccer season.

Uni is now 2-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

The host Tribe came out strong and dominated the first 20 minutes of play, taking a 2-0 lead. Uni managed 1 shot on goal in the first half.

"The field was a bit larger than our field and was dry and bumpy, making it difficult to settle down and make controlled plays," said senior Alex Zhai. "Starting later in the first half, though, we began pulling off some promising plays as well. This especially happened for a series of plays at the beginning of the second half, but we just couldn't finish them."

Three more Judah Christian goals in the second half sealed the loss.

The Illineks finished with 5 shots on goal. Senior Isaac Radnitzer made 8 saves, 5 in the first half.

"Our team was unable to possess the ball for a sustained period of time," said head coach Philip Anders. "Even though we were able to attack deep into the Judah defense, our team shape got stretched, and we gave up too many oportunities in the transition/breakway game."

Last season, the Illineks beat the Tribe 2-0 en route to winning their first 12 games.

In junior varsity action, a first-half goal was all Judah needed to defeat Uni 1-0. It was the Illineks' first JV game of the season.

Both the varsity and JV will try to rebound later this week when they host Mahomet-Seymour on Thursday. The varsity match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the JV.

THE SEASON SO FAR

2007 BOYS SOCCER VARSITY RECORD: 2-1-1 overall, 0-1 East Central Illinois Conference
(home games listed in bold)

Aug. 25: Oakwood (Uni High Soccer Shoot Out), W 5-1

• Story: Illineks win first game of season-opening tournament
• Halftime score: Uni 2, Oakwood 1
• Uni goals: Dan Lilly, 2; Holden Bucher, 1; Sam Imlay, 1; Jake Seeley, 1
• Uni assists: Sam Imlay, 2; David Hjelmstad, 1; Stephen Prochaska, 1; Jake Seeley, 1
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer, 6

Aug. 25: Blue Ridge (Uni High Soccer Shoot Out), W 1-0

• Story: Sophomore's first varsity goal turns out to be game winner
• Halftime score: Uni 0, Blue Ridge 0
• Uni goal: Eddie Diazmunoz, 1
• Uni assist: Holden Bucher, 1
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer, 13

Aug. 25: Fisher (Uni High Soccer Shoot Out), T 1-1

• Story: Uni wins seventh consecutive Shoot Out title
• Halftime score: Uni 1, Fisher 1
• Uni goal: Eddie Diazmunoz, 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni assist: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer, 11

Aug. 28: at Judah Christian, L 5-0 *

• Story: see above
• Halftime score: Judah Christian 2, Uni 0
• Uni goals: none
• Uni assists: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer, 8
• JV game: Judah Christian 1, Uni 0

Next opponent: Mahomet-Seymour, Aug. 30, at DCR Soccer Complex, Florida & Lincoln avenues, Urbana.

* East Central Illinois Conference game