ON MONDAY AFTERNOON, the Uni boys soccer team played Teutopolis in the Class A Monticello sectional championship game. The winner would advance to the eight-team IHSA state soccer tournament, something Uni has never accomplished in soccer or any of the other "ball" sports. This was the second year Uni played for the sectional title.

To support the team, Athletic Director Sally Walker allowed students to take a fan bus to Monticello High School, the host site of the game. Any student who had their parents' permission, $5, and had talked to Walker was able to go. Despite the prospect of bad weather, scores of students made the trip.

It was fairly cold and began to rain half way through the game. Nonetheless fans used umbrellas and jackets to protect themselves and continued to cheer the boys on. The game picked up significantly in the second half as Uni rallied from a 3-0 deficit to make a game of it in the final 17 minutes. But despite goals by junior Carter Hutchens and sophomore Dan Lilly, the boys lost 3-2 to end their season 13-9-1.

Although it was upsetting to lose, the boys played well, and many varsity starters will return next year. The fans arrived back at school cold and wet but with high hopes for the future of Uni soccer.

Gargoyle photos by Lizzy Warner

Students were dismissed from class at 2:30 to board the bus to Monticello. (click to enlarge)

One bus and one turtle van were taken; the bus driver was very accommodating.
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Fans prepared for the start of the game. (click to enlarge)

Aran Yoo and Teddy Zamora-Mills were among the scores of students who watched the action intensely. (click to enlarge)

Sophomore boys had fun hanging out while at the game. (click to enlarge)

Seniors Frankie McFarland and Austin Rundus and Japanese exchange student Takayuki Otsuka tried to stay warm. (click to enlarge)

The bleachers were so crowded that some students chose to stand with Uni parents (and Assistant Director Sue Kovacs, in orange) to watch the game. (click to enlarge)

Onlooking fans were enthralled by the match. (click to enlarge)

As it began to rain, sophomores Costas Cangellaris (left) and Jack Snyder (center) and junior Isaac Chambers kept up their school spirit. (click to enlarge)

Even Assistant Director Sue Kovacs (right) took time off to cheer for Uni. (click to enlarge)

Fans watched as the boys got ready to score their first goal. (click to enlarge)

They relaxed after senior goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer made a save. (click to enlarge)

Then they got excited as the intensity picked up. (click to enlarge)

Juniors Jessica Stewart, Maddy Levin, and Hannah Leskosky (back row from left) stood on the bleachers for a better view of the field. Senior Suran Yoo (left), junior Malcolm Taylor, and senior Samantha Nguyen chose to sit it out. (click to enlarge)

As heavy rain began during halftime, students attempted to stay dry. (click to enlarge)

When the rain got heavier, students huddled up and shared umbrellas. (click to enlarge)

Despite their best attempts, most fans ended up dripping wet. (click to enlarge)