Kickers want season extended

NORMAL -- After already making history in the girl's soccer program, Pekin will travel to Normal Community to compete in this weekend's Class AA regional.

Pekin (6-7-3) is coming off its best season in school's history, recording more wins than any prior team. The milestone complements the efforts of first year coach Edgar Sandoval, who has used to an improved offensive oriented style of play to help earn his team a top ten seeding in its regional.

The No. 10 Lady Dragons will face No. 9 Normal West in the lone preliminary round game in the five-team Normal Community Regional. While Normal West nearly equals Pekin in ranking, such quality wins against Richwoods and Bloomington suggests the Wildcats may be have been overlooked in the seedings.

"The team we're playing is very talented," Sandoval said. "Their seeding is by no means a reflection of how good of a team they are."

To prepare for Normal West, Sandoval has made some adjustments to the Dragons game plan during practice this week.

"A lot of the last couple days has been working on a different defensive scheme than what we've been doing," Sandoval said.

Sandoval says that both Sam Grimes and Tori Udry have been called upon to change their typical positions to become "the leading charge for the new defensive scheme". The duo's awareness of the game is what Sandoval says will enable the girls to make the change.

Leading goal scorers Breanna Zimmerman and Aimee St. Andre will run the offensive side of the ball for Pekin. Both Zimmerman and St. Andre have each contributed seven goals for the Dragons.

Lone freshman Jeleighsa Hamilton is also expected to continue to contribute on the field Saturday.

"(Hamilton) has been one of the real surprises for us," Sandoval said. "You could tell by the way she tried out in March that she'd make an impact for us right away."

Pekin competes in the Class AA state tournament while conference counterparts from Peoria will take part in Class A action already underway.

"The size of our school works against us (in soccer)," Sandoval said. "It does not correlate to the level of experience of our program, but there's nothing you can do about that."

The winner Saturday will advance to Tuesday's semifinal against No. 2 Champaign Centennial.