Dan Lilly scored both Illinek goals in this 2-1 Uni victory over St. Thomas More on Oct. 9. Gargoyle photo by Sindha Agha (click to enlarge)

URBANA — Soccer standout Dan Lilly was named today as a first-team member of The New-Gazette’s All-Area Boys Soccer Team, following a season in which the junior midfielder led the area in goals for much of the regular season, finishing with 30 for the season.

Only 12 players are selected for the first-team all-area honors, and 12 more are selected for second-team all-area. Uni did not have another player on the first or second teams, but seniors Holden Bucher, Noel Knox, and Carl Pearson all received honorable mentions.

The News-Gazette said this of Lilly: "Tall, speedy striker led the area with 30 goals for the East Central Illinois Conference champs. He added 10 assists. Will be a player to watch in the battle for 2009 Player of the Year honors."

For the previous three years, Uni has had a player receive first-team honors, all of whom were seniors. In 2005, Al Renner received the honor after a history-making season in which he scored a school-record 36 goals. Following Renner was Michael Belmont in 2006 and Jake Seeley last year.

Urbana's Richard Kayede was named the Player of the Year.

In addition to The News-Gazette's honors, the East Central Illinois Conference named four Illineks to its all-conference first team: Lilly, Bucher, Knox, and Pearson. Lilly, Knox, and Pearson were unanimous selections.

ECIC honorable mention went to seniors Russell Prochaska, Stephen Prochaska, and Carter Hutchens, and juniors Eric Fritzsche and Nile Hamer. The Illineks won the ECIC title with a 4-0 conference record.

Uni finished 12-7-1 overall and is ranked sixth in The News-Gazette’s final top 10 rankings for soccer programs in the area. Crosstown rival Judah Christian, which ended Uni’s season in the regional semifinals, is ranked seventh.

As The News-Gazette noted, look for Lilly to return next season and compete for Player of the Year honors.