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.''