WITH THE GRADUATION of eight starters from last year’s 17-4-1 boys soccer team, this year was supposed to be a rebuilding year. But with the leadership of three returning senior starters, the Illineks find themselves one win from advancing to state.

Defender T.J. Bozada (6) and goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer have been unscored upon in the Class A playoffs. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Last year's squad, led by such senior standouts as News-Gazette all-area pick Michael Belmont and all-area honorable mentions Martin Granick and Jeremy Pillow, came one game away from competing in the state finals, losing to Warrensburg-Latham in the Class A sectional final.

The only starters back from that team — the winningest in Uni soccer history — were center forward/center midfielder Jake Seeley, defender T.J. Bozada, and goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer (who alternated halves with Mike Renner, who chose not to play soccer this year).

"We were basically all that was left of [last year's] team," said senior T.J. Bozada.

"A lot of it fell on the juniors and some of the sophomores to really pick up their game and fill in those spots."

The Illineks also had to adjust to the playing style of head coach Philip Anders, who replaced Bill DeJarnette to become Uni’s third coach in three years.

It took work from new contributors to make up for the loss of multiple starters. Uni began the season 8-3-1, and assistance from underclassmen became apparent early on.

Sophomores Eddie Diazmunoz and Dan Lilly, for example, scored two goals apiece in the first three games as the Illineks won the Uni High Soccer Shootout.

On the defensive side of the field, freshman David Hjelmstad became an important member of the back three.

Then in an impressive 3-1 win over Danville Schlarman on Sept. 14, sophomore keeper Nile Hamer started in place of the injured Radnitzer and came up big, stopping a penalty kick that could have turned the game around.

Numerous examples of older players new to their varsity roles stepping up could also be cited: juniors Holden Bucher, Carter Hutchens, Carl Pearson, Stephen Prochaska, and Russell Prochaska playing hard on both sides of the field; seniors Sam Imlay, Julian Hartman, Alex Zhai, and Geoffrey Beck adding solid play and creative footwork to the mix.

But through those first 12 games, it was the offensive spark provided by Seeley, the defensive toughness of Bozada, and the reliable goalkeeping of Radnitzer that served as the team's foundation.

MIDSEASON STRUGGLES, POSTSEASON SUCCESS

Yet after their strong start, the Illineks ran into a tough midseason stretch. Beginning with Class AA Champaign Central, which got even for last year's 2-1 upset with a 7-1 victory, Uni suffered five consecutive losses. Combined with injuries to Diazmunoz, junior Carl Pearson, and Steven Prochaska occurring around the same time, team morale decreased.

To Seeley, it was a reminder of past teams at Uni that did not hold high expectations.

“They didn’t think they could play up to these other teams,” he said.

In recent years, however, after several successful seasons, expectations have grown, and Uni players had proven to themselves that they were good enough to make a run in the Class A postseason.

“I don’t even think we’re necessarily getting better players,” said Seeley. “I think we’re just making better use of them.”

When the players recovered confidence in a 5-0 win against Normal Calvary Baptist, the Illineks were finally able to get back into the win column.

"Phil moved a lot of players around to kind of cover up our injured players," said Radnitzer. “I think we’ve done well considering it.”

Uni won its final two games to end the regular season. On senior night against Monticello, Seeley scored his seventh and eighth goals in a 2-1 win.

"This game we just played right now against Monticello was a great way to finish the regular season off," said Seeley after the contest, in which Monticello tied the score late in the second half before Seeley notched the winning goal. "I'm actually kind of glad they scored that goal because we showed them we could come back from it."

In the playoffs, the Illineks defeated Mt. Carmel 2-0 on Oct. 12, then four days later they defeated Monticello again, this time 1-0.

A 1-0 victory over Danville Schlarman on Friday sent Uni to the sectional finals for the second time in two years.

Now 13-8-1 and unscored upon in the playoffs, Uni will try to do what it couldn't do last year as it takes on Teutopolis 3:30 p.m. Monday at Monticello High School for a spot in the state tournament. If the Illineks win, they would make school history: No Uni "ball" team -- soccer, volleyball, or basketball -- has ever advanced to the state tournament.

"We're scaring these teams," said Seeley. "We're going to be challenging teams we play."

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD

So what can the senior trio take away from their four years as Illineks?

"Obviously the Central game last year was just an ultimate high," said Bozada. "And this year, winning our senior night was just a great feeling."

"The four years that I've been here have been the best four years of soccer that Uni's had,” said Seeley, “[although] I’m not saying that’s because of me. When I came in, everyone was saying how much Uni sucked and stuff. But then I came in, we won more games than any team in recent history my first year, then we won more my second year, then we won more my third year. That's been really exciting."

As the seniors look at this year's team, the younger players make them optimistic for the future.

"Holden, Lilly, Stephen, Russell — they've all really filled in when we needed them," said Bozada.

"And David," said Radnitzer. "[He's a] great defender."

"Lilly's going to really lead the team in the next two years," added Bozada. "He's got a good head on him."

So whether or not the Illineks defeat Teutopolis for the sectional championship, the veteran trio of Seeley, Bozada, and Radnitzer will have four memorable seasons to look back on, while everyone else will have plenty to look forward to.