CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – While a regional semifinal win might not be headline news for some, Tuesday night’s triumph was monumental for the Danville boys’ soccer team.
The Vikings secured a thrilling victory over Centennial, clinching a 5-4 win in penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie persisted through regulation and two ten-minute overtime periods. This win not only propelled their record above .500 but also marked the first time they’ve closed a season with such a record since 2016.
However, the implications of the victory extend beyond just numbers.
Junior Shaw Black delivered the decisive goal in the penalty shootout, while senior Liam Rome shone in a dual role—making crucial saves during regulation, stopping several PK attempts, and even scoring in the shootout.
Adding to the drama, Rome isn’t the regular goalkeeper for the Vikings. He was thrust into the role due to the usual goalie’s illness. When did Rome discover he’d be guarding the net in this crucial match?
“On the bus ride [to Champaign,]” Rome revealed. “I’d played goalkeeper a few times growing up, but being told you’re starting in a semifinal is a whole different ball game. I knew I had to rise to the occasion, and I did just that.”
Bigger than Rome’s ability to step in and do a winning job, the team is playing for a dear friend.
“Gritton on three,” the Vikings said when breaking the huddle after their regional semifinal victory.
The crying call, which they’ve been shouting out for roughly a month, is in memory of Danville athletic director Gary Gritton. He passed away in September.
“A lot of those kids had him as baseball coach,” Danville head boys’ soccer coach Ron Sillings said. “They’ve been with him for almost their whole school age.”
“It was heartbreaking to hear of his passing,” Rome said. “Just to know what we can do this and have a historic season to [memorialize] him and keep his name out there – It’s amazing.”
“He was at every one of our games basically, supporting us when nobody did it at our school,” Black said. “[When I] Heard the news [of Gritton’s passing] it was just bad. We just made it an honor to support him, because he supported us. And now he’s gone, but we have to keep playing in his memory.”
Danville will play against Mahomet-Seymour in the regional championship on Saturday in Champaign, set for a 12 p.m. start.
