URBANA — Coming into today's eighth annual Uni High Soccer Shoot Out, the host Illineks could feel good knowing they had won or shared the title of the seven previous Shoot Outs.

But that streak is in jeopardy as Blue Ridge upset Uni 2-0 this morning in the season-opening tournament's first game.

The Knights scored both of their goals in the first half, using an attack that pushed the ball behind the Illinek defense.

Although Uni is returning seven starters from last year's 13-9-1 team that made it to the Class A Monticello sectional final game, the Illineks are still learning how to play without the all-star trio of forward Jake Seeley, defender T.J. Bozada, and goalkeeper Isaac Radnitzer. Other solid contributors no longer on the team due to graduation include Sam Imlay, Julian Hartman, and Alex Zhai.

In last year's Shoot Out, Uni defeated Blue Ridge 1-0. The Illineks won that tournament with a 2-0-1 record.

This year's squad will need to win both of its remaining contests to have a chance of claiming at least a piece of the school's eighth straight Shoot Out championship.

Uni will face Fisher/GCMS later this morning at 11:45. The Illineks will conclude the tourney at 4:15 p.m. against Oakwood.

The Shoot Out is being played at the DCR Soccer Fields at the corner of Lincoln and Florida avenues. The games consist of 30-minute halves and 10-minute halftimes.