URBANA — The Uni boys soccer team began its run to a Class A sectional title with a 2-0 defeat of visiting Mt. Carmel Friday at DCR Soccer Complex Field No. 9.

Uni entered the contest seeded second in the 15-team Monticello sectional; Mt. Carmel was seeded 15th.

Sam Imlay began the scoring 9 minutes into the game thanks to an assist by fellow senior Jake Seeley.

"Sam’s goal was good — he was positioned correctly, he turned and finished very well," said Uni head coach Philip Anders. "That was nice. But that was probably one of the few good combination plays we had moving up the field. This field’s a little longer. I’m really glad that we were able to have a game like this here because we need to practice more on this [field]. It’s a little longer than what we’re used to."

Ten minutes into the second half, senior Julian Hartman sealed the win with a long, high shot from outside the top left corner of the box. Imlay assisted on the score.

"I didn’t see anyone immediately open," said Hartman, a left midfielder. "I thought why not try the shot, and it went in."

"Julian’s goal was great," Seeley commented. "For some reason as soon as he hit it I knew it was going in. It was great placement."

Despite a sluggish start, the Illineks dominated with pressure throughout the game, launching seven shots on goal in the first half and eight shots in the second.

Senior goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer made six saves — three in each half — en route to the shutout, his eighth of the season.

Still, Anders saw plenty of room for improvement.

"I wish we had put our stamp on this game," he said. "I don’t think we put our stamp on it. We have a habit of playing down [to the competition], and I think that’s what happened. It was a little sloppy, but it’s a win."

The Illineks are now 11-8-1 on the season and have won three games in four days. They began their streak Tuesday with a 5-0 victory over Normal Calvary Baptist, followed by a 2-1 decision over Monticello two days later. All three wins have come at home, although Friday's game was at a different DCR field from the one Uni plays on during the regular season.

"I think we definitely have momentum right now," said Seeley. "Three wins — last night’s win [against Monticello] was really phenomenal. Tonight’s win — it’s great just because it’s [the playoffs] and the pressure’s on and we performed. So I think we definitely have the momentum."

The Illineks will be back in action on Tuesday, when they host a rematch with No. 7 Monticello in the sectional quarterfinals. The Sages (9-9-1) defeated No. 10 Catlin Salt Fork this afternoon 2-1.

To defeat Monticello a second time in less than a week, the Illineks agree they will have to play a tighter and more effective game than they did against Mt. Carmel.

"This is a bigger field than we normally play on, and it took us a little while to adjust to that," Seeley said. "This team [Mt. Carmel] definitely wasn’t as skilled as the team we played on Thursday [Monticello], but I think after a while we weren’t playing down to them any more. We certainly finished strong. We had goals from people who don’t score a whole lot, so we were definitely spreading the glory around, so that was good."

If Uni defeats the Sages again, the Illineks will play in the sectional semifinals Friday at Monticello, the host site. The sectional finals, the last step before the IHSA state tournament, will be played Oct. 22, also at Monticello.

Judah Christian, which defeated Uni 5-0 on Aug. 28, is the sectional's No. 1 seed.

Anders said his players have made great progress since losing 7-0 to St. Thomas More on Oct. 4.

"I think we’ve come a long way in a week," he said. "They’re feeling better again. I hope they learned something from that. But if I had my way, I’d want them to be a little edgy. I hope they’re not overconfident. We’ve gotten burned a couple times this season because of that."

According to Anders, how far Uni goes in the postseason will depend on the team's ability to remain focused, organized, and mentally tough. The fact that players like Seeley and Hartman recognize they could play better than they did against Mt. Carmel is a good start.

"I think things are looking up," Hartman said. "But we’ve got to make sure to keep on track because we didn’t quite play up to our standard tonight. So hopefully we can stay on track and play a good game Tuesday."

MORE PHOTOS: UNI VS. MT. CARMEL

Senior Isaac Radnitzer makes a save during Uni's 2-0 defeat of Mt. Carmel. It was Radnitzer's eighth shutout of the season. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Junior Carter Hutchens in action against Mt. Carmel. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Senior Sam Imlay (4) scored the game's first goal and assisted on the second. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Sophomore Dan Lilly advances the ball during the first half of Uni's playoff win. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Senior Julian Hartman scored the game's second goal on this kick outside the box. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Senior Jake Seeley (2) assisted on Uni's first goal of the postseason. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Coach Philip Anders talks to his team during halftime with Uni ahead 1-0. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Dan Lilly passes to Sam Imlay during the second half. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Julian Hartman (21) heads downfield. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Senior back T.J. Bozada (6) and goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer wait for a corner kick. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Stephen Prochaska (19) tries to control the ball as fellow juniors Russell Prochaska (near) and Holden Bucher look on in the background. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Jake Seeley gets in position for a shot on goal in the first half. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Russell Prochaska (27) battles for possession as Carter Hutchens (17) looks on. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Junior Noel Knox (7) speeds past a Mt. Carmel defender. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Junior Carl Pearson (28) tries to disrupt a Mt. Carmel shot attempt. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Isaac Radnitzer provides backup as freshman David Hjelmstad clears the ball out of Uni's box. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Jake Seeley (2) advances in the second half. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

---

Senior Bhaskar Vaidya faces off with a Mt. Carmel attacker. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

THE SEASON SO FAR

2007 BOYS SOCCER VARSITY RECORD: 11-8-1 overall, 3-1 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 (season total: 2); Holden Bucher 1 (season total: 1); Sam Imlay 1 (season total: 1); Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 1)
• Uni assists: Sam Imlay 2 (season total: 2); David Hjelmstad 1 (season total: 1); Stephen Prochaska 1 (season total: 1); Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 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 (season total: 1)
• Uni assist: Holden Bucher (season total: 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 (season total: 2)
• Uni assist: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 11

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

• Story: Judah downs Uni
• 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

Aug. 30: Mahomet-Seymour, L 1-0

• Story: Mahomet-Seymour shuts out Illineks
• Halftime score: 0-0
• Uni goals: none
• Uni assists: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 18
• JV game: Mahomet-Seymour 3, Uni 1 (goal by Loic Hostetter, with assist by Eric Fritzsche)

Sept. 4: at Fisher, W 2-0

• Story: Illineks get back on scoreboard, defeat Fisher 2-0
• Halftime score: Uni 1, Fisher 0
• Uni goals: Stephen Prochaska 1 (season total: 1); Holden Bucher 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni assists: Holden Bucher 1 (season total: 2); Neil Pearson 1 (season total: 1)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 5
• JV game: Fisher 4, Uni 2 (Uni goals by Richard Weisbach, with assist by Grant Loos; Loic Hostetter, with assist by Jasper Maniates-Selvin)

Sept. 6: Decatur Christian, W 3-0 *

• Story: Bucher leads Uni to 3-0 win
• Halftime score: 0-0
• Uni goals: Holden Bucher 2 (season total: 4); Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni assists: Russell Prochaska 1 (season total: 1); Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 1); Seeley 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 3
• JV game: none

Sept. 8: Sullivan, W 2-0 (game called after first half due to lightning)

• Story: Uni wins game shortened by lightning
• Halftime score: 2-0
• Uni goals: Carter Hutchens 1 (season total: 1); Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 3)
• Uni assists: Jake Seeley 2 (season total: 4)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 2
• JV game: none

Sept. 11: at Oakwood, L 2-1

• Story: Comets get payback, beat Illineks 2-1
• Halftime score: 2-1
• Uni goal: Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 3)
• Uni assist: Julian Hartman 1 (season total: 1)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 11
• JV game: Uni 1, Oakwood 1 (unofficial match; Uni goal by Radnitzer)

Sept. 13: Iroquois West, W 4-0

• Story: Uni bounces back from Oakwood loss, shuts out Iroquois West
• Halftime score: 3-0
• Uni goals: Dan Lilly 2 (season total: 5); Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 4); Isaac Radnitzer (season total: 1)
• Uni assists: Carter Hutchens 1 (season total: 1); Julian Hartman 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 9
• JV game: none (intra-squad scrimmage)

Sept. 14: Schlarman, W 3-1

• Story: Hamer comes up big in first varsity game as Illineks down Hilltoppers
• Halftime score: Uni 2, Schlarman 1
• Uni goals: Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 6); Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 5); Holden Bucher 1 (season total: 5)
• Uni assists: Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 5); Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 2); Julian Hartman 1 (season total: 3)
• Uni saves: Nile Hamer 10
• JV game: Uni 2, Schlarman 1

Sept. 18: at Decatur Lutheran, W 4-0 *

• Story: Uni defeats Decatur Lutheran
• Halftime score: 3-0
• Uni goals: Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 7); Carter Hutchens 1 (season total: 2); Stephen Prochaska 1 (season total: 2); Sam Imlay 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni assists: Jake Seeley 2 (season total: 7); Sam Imlay 1 (season total: 3)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 4, Nile Hamer 2
• JV game: none

Sept. 20: at Champaign Central, L 7-1

• Story: Central gets even for last year's upset
• Halftime score: Central 4, Uni 1
• Uni goal: Eddie Diazmunoz (season total: 3)
• Uni assist: Noel Knox (season total: 1)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 25
• JV game: Central 4, Uni 0

Sept. 24: Warrensburg-Latham, L 2-0

• Story: Warrensburg-Latham's undefeated streak reaches 30 after downing Uni
• Halftime score: 0-0
• Uni goals: none
• Uni assists: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 15
• JV game: Uni 1, Warrensburg-Latham 1 (Uni goal by Noel Knox)

Sept. 29: at Urbana, L 5-0

• Story: Uni ends tough stretch by falling to Urbana
• Halftime score: Urbana 4, Uni 0
• Uni goals: none
• Uni assists: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 11
• JV game: Urbana 5, Uni 0

Oct. 2: at Tolono Unity, L 2-1

• Story: Unity upsets Illineks
• Halftime score: Uni 1, Unity 0
• Uni goal: Noel Knox (season total: 1)
• Uni assist: Jake Seeley (season total: 8)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 7
• JV game: Uni 4, Tolono Unity 0 (Uni goals: Chris Mathy 3, Richard Weisbach 1)

Oct. 4: St. Thomas More, L 7-0

• Story: Illineks drop fifth straight
• Halftime score: St. Thomas More 6, Uni 0
• Uni goals: none
• Uni assists: none
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 4
• JV game: St. Thomas More 2, Uni 0

Oct. 9: Normal Calvary Baptist, W 5-0 *

• Story: Uni shuts out Normal Calvary Baptist, ends losing streak
• Halftime score: Uni 2, Normal Calvary Baptist 0
• Uni goals: Dan Lilly 2 (season total: 9), Carter Hutchens 1 (season total: 3), Jake Seeley 1 (season total 6), Holden Butcher 1 (season total: 6)
• Uni assists: Jake Seeley 2 (season total: 10), Alex Zhai 1 (season total: 1), Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 3)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 5
• JV results: The junior varsity participated in the Monticello Tournament on Monday, going 0-2. The team lost to St. Thomas More 3-0 in its first match and 5-3 to Judah Christian in its second. In the Judah game, Noel Knox scored two goals and Jasper Maniates-Selvin one. Maniates-Selvin assisted on Knox's first goal; Loic Hostetter assisted on the other. Eric Fritzsche assisted on Maniates-Selvin's goal.

Oct. 11: Monticello, W 2-1

• Story: Uni ends regular season with win over Monticello; playoffs begin today
• Halftime score: Uni 1, Monticello 0
• Uni goals: Jake Seeley 2 (season total: 8)
• Uni assists: Dan Lilly 1 (season total: 4), Carter Hutchens 1 (season total: 2)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 7
• JV game: Uni 1, Monticello 0 (Uni goal: Eric Fritzsche, assist by Richard Weisbach)

Oct. 12: Mt. Carmel, W 2-0 (Class A sectional first-round game)

• Story: see above
• Halftime score: Uni 1, Mt. Carmel 0
• Uni goals: Sam Imlay 1 (season total: 3), Julian Hartman 1 (season total: 1)
• Uni assists: Jake Seeley 1 (season total: 11), Sam Imlay 1 (season total: 4)
• Uni saves: Isaac Radnitzer 6
• JV game: none; playoff game (varsity only)

Next opponent: Monticello (Class A sectional quarterfinals), Tuesday, Oct. 16, at DCR Soccer Complex Field No. 9 (west side of complex); game to begin at 4 p.m.

* East Central Illinois Conference game