By Gargoyle sports staff
Posted Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006, The OG, sports

URBANA — Senior forward Michael Belmont scored five goals as the Uni High boys soccer team breezed through its opening home tournament Saturday with three dominating victories. The Illineks beat Blue Ridge 6-0, Oakwood 5-2, and Fisher 7-2 to claim their sixth consecutive Soccer Shoot Out title.

Fisher placed second, beating Oakwood 2-1 and Blue Ridge 2-0. Blue Ridge and Oakwood finished in the bottom half of the round-robin event, tying each other 1-1.

The Shoot Out was initially delayed due to a thunderstorm, resulting in slightly shorter games for the first half of the day as tournament officials worked to get back on schedule, but full 30-minute halves were restored in time for Uni's 11:45 a.m. match with Oakwood.

Uni attacked with a well-balanced offense throughout the day, getting goals from all of its starting midfielders and forwards, and even some of its reserves. Senior midfielders Jeremy Pillow and Rohun Palekar scored three goals apiece for the Illineks, while senior forward Martin Granick, senior midfielder Tomasz Kalbarczyk, and junior midfielder Jake Seeley each notched one goal and three assists. Uni's defense was anchored by seniors Daniel Ito and Nick Pratt.

The Illineks will face Judah Christian at home Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., before traveling to Mahomet-Seymour on Thursday.

2006 VARSITY RECORD: 3-0 overall, 0-0 ECIC
(Home games in bold)
Aug. 26: Blue Ridge (Uni Soccer Shoot Out), W 6-0
Aug. 26: Oakwood (Uni Soccer Shoot Out), W 5-2
Aug. 26: Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (Uni Soccer Shoot Out), W 7-2