Game 17 - Normal West

Getting ready for the playoff game.

The Pekin girls soccer program’s best season ever came to an end Saturday with an 11-1 loss to Normal West in a first round regional game. Tara Sprague led the way with five goals, two coming in the first six minutes of the game. The Wildcats scored four more to make it 6-0 at halftime.“We tried something different defensively, but missing three of our four starting defenders didn’t make things any easier,” said Dragons’ coach Edgar Sandoval. “We baited them into an offsides call in the opening minutes, but our inexperience with the scheme and their adjustments rendered it ineffective.”Heavy rains and strong winds made it interesting early in the second half. And even though they were down big, the Dragons never gave up. Midway through, Breanna Zimmerman got free on the right side and made great use of the wind. The sophomore transfer blasted a left footed shot all the way across and into the left corner past a stunned Normal West keeper. It was Zimmerman’s team leading 8th goal of the season.“There is a bright side to a tough loss. Our girls never quit and kept up the intensity for 80 minutes. Coach Miller told me after the game that Bree’s goal was the first ever scored by a Pekin girls soccer team in a regional game,” Sandoval added. “And Sam (Grimes) came extremely close to our second on a strong free kick from just inside the midfield circle. Normal West is on par with teams like Richwoods so even just scoring on them is a step in the right direction.”Despite being up 8-1, the Wildcats continued to attack, scoring three more times in the final eight minutes and with the last one coming as the clock ticked down to end the game.“I thought that last one was an especially nice touch,” Sandoval said with just a hint of sarcasm.The loss ended Pekin's three game winning streak and their season. The Dragons finished the year 6-8-3.“I am incredibly excited for next season. We’re returning all eleven starters, nine reserves and losing just one senior. We have several players on JV who will challenge for spots and if there are any incoming freshmen that play with as much heart as Jeleighsa (Hamilton) did for me this year they will be given every opportunity to make the team. My hope is the players continue to play in the off-season. I think we can have similar success next year if they don’t, but I think they can really raise the bar if they work at it the next nine months."

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.

Game 16 - Woodruff

The Pekin girls soccer team saved their best for last and in the process set a new record for wins in a season (6) by defeating Woodruff 8-2 Thursday. Aimee St. Andre started the scoring outburst with two goals in the first six minutes of the game. Jelighsa Hamilton and Laura Fandel scored their first goals of the season to put Pekin up 4-0. Sam Grimes added another just before half time and the rout was on.

“From offensive and defensive standpoints, that was absolutely the best half of soccer we’ve played all year. The passing, shooting and clearing were all top notch.”

Breanna Zimmerman notched her 7th score of the year 10 minutes into the second half. Woodruff finally got on the board a few minutes later when Megan Maxwell scored on a penalty kick. Soon afterwards, Pekin fans were treated to something special. Tiffany Tebben took the ball deep into the left corner and crossed it high and just in front of the near post. Ashley Snider timed her jump perfectly and struck a head ball past the Woodruff keeper. After another Woodruff score, Tebben closed out the scoring.

“Ashley and Tiffany combined for the goal of the year. Great pass, great finish. This whole team has come so far. I’m incredibly proud of what they accomplished and proud to be their coach.”
The Dragons finished the regular season 6-7-3 and 4-4-2 in conference.

Game 15 - Manual

PEORIA -- With a 6-0 Mid-State 6 Conference girls' soccer win over Manual Tuesday night, Pekin tied the 1998 squad for most wins in a season in the nine-year history of the program. Win number five was also the team's first road victory of the year. Breanna Zimmerman led the way with two goals, the first coming just two minutes into the game. Starting goalkeeper Jen Adkison played exclusively in the field and scored off a great setup from Sam Grimes to put the Dragons up 3-0 at half. "My goal for the second half of the game was to get our only senior, Erin Ghidina, in a position to score,'' Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "She's been with the program for four years, playing mostly defense, so I moved her up front and asked the whole team to look for her.'' Three minutes into the second half, those instructions were followed to perfection, as freshman Jeleighsa Hamilton fittingly found Ghidina streaking towards the goal. Ghidina sent it past the Manual keeper for her first career score. Fullbacks Amanda Wolf and Susan Howard, getting some rare time up front, closed out the scoring for the Dragons (5-7-3, 3-4-2). Reserve goalkeeper Bethany Smith made her first start of the year and made it count by posting her first career shutout. The Dragons host Woodruff Thursday for Senior Night at Coal Miners Park. "The first time we played them (Woodruff), we had a lead and out shot them, but could only muster a tie. Our girls have improved a lot since then and they've worked so hard all year,'' added Sandoval, whose club is 3-1-2 in its last six games. "That they have a chance to take third in conference and set a new standard for wins for this program is an incredible opportunity. Hopefully the weather holds because I would love to see the field surrounded by fans in red.''

Game 14 - Peoria Christian

With two regular season games left on the schedule, the Pekin girls soccer team equaled their win total from a season ago with an exciting 2-1 victory over Peoria Christian. Neither team could manage a goal in the first half. The best chance for the Chargers came midway through when a Pekin defender was called for a handball in the box. But Pekin goalkeeper Jen Adkison was at the top of her game and able to save the 11 yarder to keep the game tied.

“Jen had a great day in goal. I’m a big believer that the great majority of penalty kicks are going to go in at any level of soccer and I love that she proved me wrong!”

Just three minutes into the second half, Aimee St. Andre had a breakaway and a clear path to the goal when she was tackled from behind by a Peoria Christian defender. Breanna Zimmerman put the penalty kick into the left corner to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, after a mad scramble up front, it was St. Andre again who put a shot on goal. Chargers keeper Kortnie Slusher was able to deflect it, but it rolled just to the left of the goal. Zimmerman was there for the follow and sent it home to make it 2-0.

Peoria Christian got on the board in the 64th minute when freshman Katie Vercler scored, but the Chargers could get no closer. Stephanie Sheffler, Ashley Poston, Susan Howard and Haley Renner, in her first game of the season, led a fierce Pekin defensive effort, thwarting run after run in the game’s final minutes.

“Our defense really stepped up today. The energy they brought for the entire 80 minutes was the difference. We’ve had three hard fought ties and a close loss so it was nice to go home a winner in a tight contest.”
The Dragons are 4-7-3 for the season. The team travels to Peoria Manual for a conference road game on Tuesday. Pekin won the first matchup between the teams 7-0.

Game 13 - East Peoria

The Pekin girls soccer team tied East Peoria 2-2 on Saturday. The Dragons got the scoring started just six minutes into the game. Aimee St. Andre took a solid pass from Breanna Zimmerman to put Pekin up 1-0. The two teams battled back and forth until East Peoria got on the board with five minutes left in the first half. Bethany Bozarth took a pass on the left side from Kelsea Bowe and placed the ball just inside the right post. Less than two minutes later, the Red Raiders struck again, this time it was freshman Maya Strong with the unassisted score. “The last five minutes of each half has been a problem for us. It was the difference against Woodruff, Geneseo and now East Peoria. We’re 0-1-2 in those games, but the fans that have been there have seen how we could just as easily be 2-0-1. We just need to keep our intensity up for entire halves.” The Dragons came out strong in the second half as St. Andre scored the equalizer nine minutes in. Pekin had twice as many shots as East Peoria in second half. With less than 10 minutes to go, the Dragons’ Tory Udry blasted a shot that hit the crossbar. The Pekin faithful erupted a split second later when Breanna Zimmerman put back the rebound, but a late whistle and offsides call nullified the go-ahead score. “I had a good conversation with the refs after the game. It was their opinion that Bree was off when the shot was taken and they just waited to make sure they made the right call. I still disagreed and I know the fans and players were pretty upset about the timing of the call, but we can’t let that be the difference in the game. The bottom line is that we had plenty of chances before that and we can’t put ourselves in a position where a ref’s judgment call decides the outcome.” The Dragons are 3-7-3 on the season. Their next game is Monday at 4:30 when they host Peoria Christian in a non-conference matchup.

Game 12 - Richwoods

PEKIN -- After a solid performance the day before, the Pekin girls' soccer team saw the tables turn in a 7-0 loss to Richwoods Thursday afternoon at Coal Miner's Park.
The Dragons kept the visitors off the board for the first 15 minutes, but seemed to run out of steam after that, coach Edgar Sandoval said.
"Our team was exhausted halfway through the first half. We were playing our third game in three days, and that's my fault," the first-year coach said. "I wanted to get the girls as many games as I could this year, and it really hurt us today."
Richwoods sophomore Maddie Farrell led the Knights with three goals. Pekin goalie Jen Adkison had 14 saves while under heavy pressure for much of the game.
"The important thing is we put this game behind us," Sandoval added. "If we play the way I know we're capable of playing, we have a chance to compete in our final four games."The Dragons return to the pitch at 10 a.m. Saturday, hosting East Peoria at Coal Miners Park.

Game 11 - Ursuline

There’s no place like home. That’s what the Pekin girls soccer team must have felt after four tough road games and the Dragons got back on the winning track with a 3-0 victory over Springfield Ursuline. The Sonics held Pekin at bay early until Tory Udry scored off a pass from Bridgette Feeney with 10 minutes left in the first half. Aimee St. Andre found the goal three minutes after half time to put Pekin up 2-0. Feeney finished off the scoring in the 68th minute taking a pass from St. Andre for her second goal in three games. The Dragons managed thirty shots on goal to the Sonics one. Jen Adkison and Bethany Smith combined for Pekin’s second shutout of the season. “This game was a lot of fun. Everyone got to play quality minutes. And everyone was looking for an open teammate, which meant for lots of scoring opportunities. It’s also why there were three assists to go along with our three goals. Hopefully we can build on this as we’ve got three tough games in the next five days.” The Dragons improved to 3-6-2. They host last year’s conference champion Richwoods today (Thursday) at 4:30.

Game 10 - Central

PEORIA -- Pekin was looking for a season girls soccer sweep of Central, but had to settle for a 1-1 tie.
Nicole Mason had given the host Lions a 1-0 lead with a goal late in the first half, but birthday girl Breanna Zimmerman rallied the Dragons. Zimmerman, who turned 16 on Tuesday, made a solid shot from the right side, her second consecutive game in which she's tallied a goal.
"I think the girls were a little apprehensive at the start as we were missing three starters, including two defenders, due to injury," Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "But they played really well for the second straight game and for the most part dominated the ball.
"We had nearly four times (15-4) as many shots, but the numbers that count are the ones that go in," he added. "Still, we're making great strides and the defensive effort was good."
The Dragons host Springfield Ursuline in a 5:30 p.m. non-conference match tonight at Coal Miners Park.

Game 9 - Geneseo

Kickers lead early but fall 3-2 to Geneseo
By Times staff
GENESEO -- Host Geneseo edged Pekin 3-2 in a non-conference girls' soccer match Saturday.
Breanna Zimmerman's free kick from just outside the penalty box put the Dragons up 1-0. Two minutes later, Bridgette Feeney raced in for the rebound off a Tory Udry shot and placed the ball in the left corner to put Pekin up two.
But the Maple Leafs came back and tied the game with two goals, the second one coming in the last 30 seconds of the first half.
"The offense was terrific today. The passing and communication was the best I've seen from the girls all year,'' Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "I think from that perspective, the fans that made the 90-minute trip saw an entirely different team than they saw at the start of the year.
"And I can't say enough about Bridgette's goal. It involved hustle, moving without the ball and following a good solid shot. I saw a lot of what we're trying to accomplish all come together in one moment and it was very satisfying.''
The teams battled back and forth until Geneseo's Ashley Colo scored her second goal of the game with a little less than four minutes to go. Pekin moved eight players up which generated a few chances in the closing moments, but the Dragons just ran out of time.
"Defensively, there have been some lapses. Our inability to clear is what caused us to fall behind at Limestone and it cost us the game today,'' Sandoval added. "Hopefully we'll be able to work that out before our next stretch of games.''

Game 8 - Limestone

Dragons fall in soccer match
By Times staff
BARTONVILLE -- Host Limestone knocked off Pekin 6-1 Friday in a non-conference girls' soccer matchup.
Limestone (7-5-1) was led by Kim Knaub who scored four goals. Tory Udry got the Dragons (2-5-1) on the board late, stealing a pass and scoring on a breakaway with about four minutes left.
Pekin goalie Jen Adkison had 13 saves before leaving the game with an injured wrist.
"We started the game really flat and we were unable to handle Kim Knaub's speed and aggressiveness,'' Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "She's a terrific player and when she's on, Limestone can challenge some of the better teams in the area.''
The game was delayed for more than half an hour when lightning struck.
The Dragons travel to Geneseo at 12:30 p.m. today and have added a 16th game to their schedule, hosting Springfield Ursuline next Wednesday at Coal Miners Park.

Game 7 - Notre Dame

PEORIA -- Sam Cohen registered a hat trick as Notre Dame registered 49 shots on goal and defeated Pekin 6-0 in a Mid-State 6 Conference soccer match.

The Dragons (2-4-1, 2-3-1) kept the first place Irish (11-1-1, 6-0) at bay for the first 13 minutes of the game as Jen Adkison made several beautiful saves early on her way to 36 for the game.

"Natalie Kahn had five (goals) on us the first time we met. She had one this time,'' Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. " Our goal was to make someone else do the scoring and obviously they have the weapons to do so.''

Pekin next visits Limestone Friday in a 4:30 p.m. non-conference match.

I wanted to ease Bree back into playing shape, so as a sophomore who had yet to play a varsity contest, I had her in the JV game at Notre Dame. She actually got several good shots on goal which is probably more than we ever had in any game against the Irish.

The varsity game went as you'd expect. Notre Dame was getting shot after shot after shot. But the great thing for us was Jen was stopping them. A lot of them. Yes, they ended up scoring six and shutting us out. By their count she ended with 26 saves, the twelth highest total in IHSA history.

The game was marred by continued poor treatment from a group of Notre Dame fans. This seems to happen every year and according to other coaches it happens at their games too. It got so bad, the ref actually had to stop the game for a moment. Here's the thing. Their program is hands down the best in the area and I like to hold them up as an example of how you play good soccer. But when you have situations like this one, that gets harder to do.

I don't know if their administration knows or even cares that this goes on. It has me fairly disappointed, as I went to a Catholic high school and this isn't what it is about. Yet, that's the impression all these girls from Morton to Pekin to Peoria get from playing in these games. And maybe no one thinks it matters, but I've seen how religous based school struggle to make ends meet and what's happening is future area moms are being turned off.