By Jason He
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, The OG, sports

URBANA — Senior Michael Belmont scored twice in Uni's 2-1 win over Champaign Central on Thursday, extending the Illineks' winning streak to 12 games.

The Maroons struck early in the first half, spotting an opportunity for a goal and netting it in the 16th minute.

“Operationally, we made a mistake, and they capitalized,” Uni head coach Bill DeJarnette said.

After that, neither team scored for nearly an hour.

“We missed some easy goals,” DeJarnette said, but added that both teams were under constant pressure. “You need a number of chances [to score] until you finally get one. And we got one.”

In the 71st minute, Belmont netted Uni's first goal, assisted by senior Martin Granick. Belmont scored again six minutes later, this time with an assist from junior T.J. Bozada.

The goals were Belmont's 18th and 19th of the season.

The Illineks were overjoyed when a referee signaled the end of the game. Many rushed from their bench to congratulate their fellow teammates, celebrating a highly unexpected win given the team's 6-0 loss to Central last year.

“We would've been happy with a tie,” senior Daniel Ito said. “So yeah, this is just a tremendous win, and we're really happy.”

The Central varsity entered Thursday's game with a record of 11-2-1. Most of its wins had come against Class AA schools. Only fellow Big 12 Conference members Urbana (1-0 Monday) and Normal Community (2-0 Sept. 12) had defeated the Maroons.

Uni and Central didn't begin playing each other in soccer until 2002. Central had won all four previous matches, outscoring the Illineks 15-1.

Even though Uni was held scoreless Thursday until only 9:33 remained, DeJarnette said the narrow deficit helped the Illineks constantly search for ways to score.

“That one-goal situation means…one misstep by them, a bobble by a guy, and you're in the game,” DeJarnette said.

“There were some ample opportunities for good things to happen,” he added. “And that's the name of the game — to continue to give yourself chances to score.”

Up next: A challenging week that will pose three major tests for Uni.

The Illineks travel to Warrensburg-Latham Monday in what could be a preview of next month's sectional championship game. The Cardinals are seeded No. 2 in the Monticello sectional; Uni is seeded No. 1. Whoever wins that sectional on Oct. 23 will advance to the Class A state quarterfinals. Uni defeated Warrensburg-Latham 5-3 last season.

The Illineks will then travel Thursday to Danville Schlarman for another tough match. Schlarman is seeded No. 2 in the Class A Peotone sectional. Last year's team went 23-2 and placed fourth at state. Uni handed Schlarman its only regular-season loss last year (2-0), so the Hilltoppers will be looking for some payback.

The week comes to an end Sept. 30 when Uni hosts Class AA power Urbana, which went 23-4-1 in 2005 and downed the Illineks 3-0.

2006 VARSITY RECORD: 12-0 overall, 3-0 ECIC
(Home games in bold)
Aug. 26: Blue Ridge (Uni Soccer Shootout), W 6-0
Aug. 26: Oakwood (Uni Soccer Shootout), W 5-2
Aug. 26: Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (Uni Soccer Shootout), W 7-2
Aug. 29: Judah Christian,* W 2-0
Aug. 31: at Mahomet-Seymour, W 2-0
Sept. 5: Fisher/GCMS, W 3-0
Sept. 7: at Decatur Christian,* W 12-0
Sept. 9: at Sullivan, W 9-1
Sept. 12: Oakwood, W 3-2
Sept. 14: at Iroquois West, W 7-1
Sept. 19: Decatur Lutheran,* W 4-1
Sept. 21: Champaign Central, W 2-1
*East Central Illinois Conference opponent