DANVILLE — Junior Dan Lilly scored his 30th goal of the season, but that wasn't enough as Judah Christian held on for a 2-1 playoff victory over Uni tonight at Danville Schlarman High School.

The Illineks entered the Class 1A regional semifinal game seeded No. 2 in the Schlarman bracket, while Judah was No. 3.

With the loss, Uni finished the season 12-7-1. Judah is 15-3-1 and will play No. 1 seed Schlarman for the regional title on Tuesday.

The Tribe opened the scoring with a goal just two minutes and 24 seconds into the game. Despite Uni's success in pressing the attack and keeping much of the action on Judah's side of the field, the score remained 1-0 until the 62nd minute, when the Tribe increased their lead to 2-0.

Judah's advantage seemed insurmountable given the Illineks' failure to capitalize on previous scoring opportunities. But in the 66th minute, Lilly was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled.

Although the area's leading scorer was thwarted on his shot, Judah's goalkeeper failed to control the ball. Lilly quickly got off a second shot, which found the back of the net and gave Uni the momentum it had been looking for all night.

However, the Tribe kept Uni off the board for the rest of the game. That wasn't for a lack of trying by the Illineks, who continued to push the ball up the field but couldn't get it past a determined Judah defense.

Uni outshot the Tribe 9-5 in the second half and 14-9 for the game. Illinek keeper Nile Hamer made nine saves to Judah's 12.

Lilly became just the fourth Illinek to score 30 or more goals in a season. He joins Al Renner (36 in 2005), Tyson Masar (32 in 1999), and Michael Belmont (30 in 2006) on the list.

Freshman Brandon Lin (21) heads a ball as senior Holden Bucher (18) backs him up. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Senior Stephen Prochaska (23) takes on Judah's Ben Beck (5) for the ball. Behind Prochaska is junior Eric Fritzsche. (click to enlarge)

Bucher tries to elude the Tribe's Jason Mills. (click to enlarge)

Dan Lilly became the fourth Illinek to score 30 goals in a season, joining the ranks of Al Renner (36, 2005), Tyson Masar (32, 1999), and Michael Belmont (30, 2006). (click to enlarge)

Uni vs. Judah Christian at a Glance

Varsity outcome: Loss (2-1)

Varsity record: 12-7-1 overall, 4-0 East Central Illinois Conference (ECIC champs)

Uni scoring

• 66th minute: Dan Lilly unassisted (30th)

Goalkeeping

• Nile Hamer (Uni): 9 (4 in first half)
• Judah: 12 (5 in first half)

Shots on goal

• Uni: 14 (5 in first half)
• Judah: 9 (4 in first half)

JV outcome: None; JV season is over

JV record: 3-5-3, 0-1 ECIC

Next contest: Varsity season is over

For complete schedule and results, visit the OG Scoreboard.