Pekin 2, Peoria Christian 2

Pekin scored first and last to net a 2-2 tie with Peoria Christian in a non-conference girls' soccer match Monday at Coal Miners Park.

The Dragons struck first when freshman Jakki Johnson rebounded her own shot and set up a Breanna Zimmerman goal that put the hosts ahead 1-0 10:09 into the game.

“Jakki really came through for us and really stepped up in (injured all-conference midfielder) Sam’s (Grimes) absence," said Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval. "We lost the East Peoria game because we didn’t follow up and what Jakki did was textbook… exactly the way I want all my players to go after 50/50 balls.”

Peoria Christian managed three first half shots, but eventually went 2-1 midway through the second half on unassisted goals by Rosie Waibel and Rachel Frazelle.


After a couple of good runs that came up short, Pekin got the equalizer forcing a corner kick with less than eight minutes to go. Zimmerman served up a solid cross that freshman Shelly Morris knocked home with a nudge of her stomach to tie the game at 2-2.

“Bre sent a perfect ball into the box," Sandoval said. "and since the Central game, Coach (Michelle) Bodily has been working with Shelly on positioning her body to receive a cross so that even if you don’t get a good touch, you’ll still be able to redirect the ball with some success. In fact a few minutes before she scored, Shelly actually hit a better shot, a half volley that just missed to the right. So of course I was thrilled to see her finish one off.”

Pekin (5-9-1) next hosts Woodruff at 4:30 p.m. at Coal Miner‘s Park.

After failing to finishing fourth or fifth for the first seven years of the program, a win will give Pekin third place in the Mid State Six for a third consecutive year.

Thursday is Senior Night and in celebration of ten years of girls varsity soccer at PCHS, the team would like to send out a special invitation for all former players to attend.