Pekin 2, East Peoria 1

PEKIN - Host Pekin engaged in a defensive battle with visiting East Peoria Thursday, with the Dragons able to eke out a 2-1 Mid-Illini Conference girls' soccer victory at Coal Miners Park.What looked to be a scoreless first half turned into a Pekin lead when Shelly Morris' shot from the right side tipped off East Peoria goalie Autumn Barrage's hand and got over the line for a Dragon goal. Morris' score was the only shot on goal of the first half for either team.“Shelly was really tough tonight,” said Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval. “She's been battling injuries and learning a new position (outside midfielder), but I think she's really starting to get the hang of it.”
The Raiders didn't go quietly though, tying the game just two minutes into the second half on Maria Pummill's tally.But freshman Emily LaBanca scored off an assist from fellow freshman Marissa McGurr to break the tie and give the Dragons (5-8-2, 2-7-2) the victory.“Those two played intercommunity soccer together before high school, so they know each other well,” Sandoval said. “There's good chemistry there.”