East Peoria 1, Pekin 0

Despite taking twice as many shots on goal, Pekin dropped a 1-0 non-conference girls' soccer decision to East Peoria Saturday at Coal Miners Park.

Twenty-five minutes into the first half, sophomore forward Carmen Alvarez stole the ball inside Pekin’s penalty box and sent it in for the game’s only score.

“We came out strong early, but we can’t play around with the ball inside the box," Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "I don’t expect our keeper to stop a point blank shot and we can’t let our opponents get that close.”

It was the Dragons’ first game without senior captain and all-conference midfielder Sam Grimes. Grimes suffered a season ending ankle injury Thursday against Richwoods.

Pekin had several chances in the second half. Midway through, Breanna Zimmerman sent a cross into the middle, but Brittany Wright’s header went just over the goal. Later Zimmerman nailed two free kicks, each from about 25 yards out that forced diving saves from Red Raiders keeper Autumn Burrage, but the Dragons were unable to finish a the rebounds after either shot.


Pekin hosts Peoria Christian in a non-conference matchup today.