Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Washington 6, Pekin 1

MORTON - For a minute it looked like an upset in the making.

Actually it was 1:11. That's how long it took Washington to respond to Pekin's early goal in a Class AA Morton Regional semifinal girls soccer match Wednesday at McCallan Park.

No. 7 seed Washington went on to a 6-1 victory and a berth in Friday's 7 p.m. championship game against No. 3 seed Morton.

"I think we caught them by surprise," Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said about freshman Emily LaBanca's goal less than six minutes into the semifinal game.

Washington goalie Ashley Jacobson couldn't handle a crossing pass, and LaBanca was there to boot the ball into an open net. It was Pekin's first goal against Washington in three games this season. The Lady Panthers beat the Lady Dragons 6-0 April 10 and 1-0 May 1 in Mid-Illini conference contests.

Freshman Kathleen O'Brien answered LaBanca's goal, then Washington (11-6-1) went ahead for good 2-1 with 16:07 left when Tabea Tietz scored off a corner kick by Michelle Rhoades. It was the first of four goals scored off corners by the Lady Panthers.

"Corners have been our Achilles' heel all season," Sandoval said. "When Metamora beat us 3-0, all three of their goals came off corners."

The first of Carrie Bunting's two goals gave Washington a 3-1 halftime lead. Moriah Peterson and Rhaodes also tallied in the second half for the Lady Panthers.

Goalie Lindsay Coffey played a solid game for 15th-seeded Pekin (6-11-2) making nine saves.

"Washington might have taken us lightly in our last game (May 1) because they were better prepared this time," Sandoval said. "Their spacing on offense was much better."

Sandoval was happy about his young team's progress this season. Pekin played a tougher schedule because of its move to the Mid-Illini from the Mid State 6 Conference and it gave up a program record low 46 goals.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Dunlap 6, Pekin 0

PEKIN - For the second-straight match, Pekin was held scoreless Thursday afternoon, losing its final regular season game to Mid-Illini Conference foe Dunlap 6-0 at Coal Miners Park. Abby Barra's goal just four minutes into the game was all the visitors would need as they outshot the Dragons 14-2.

"We're really struggling right now," Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "Maybe we peaked too early. This is not the same team that held Washington scoreless for 75 minutes or beat East Peoria. We've got to get back whatever it was that was driving us for that stretch."

Lindsay Coffey had six saves for Pekin, which plays Washington in an opening regional playoff game at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Morton.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Peoria Christian 1, Pekin 0

EAST PEORIA - Pekin scored the only goal of the game, but it was inadvertently in its own goal and the Lady Dragons lost for the first time to Peoria Christian 1-0 at EastSide Centre.

"A cross by Jordan Triphan hit off a Pekin defender and into our goal eight minutes into the second half," Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. "We had four strong chances toward the end of the game, but just couldn't put the ball in the net. They just wanted it more. We had more chances and better chances but just didn't take good shots."

Pekin (6-9-2) had six shots on goal and five corner kicks.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Pekin 5, Macomb 0

PEKIN - Pekin celebrated Senior NIght Monday with a 5-0 girls' non-conference soccer victory over Macomb at Coal Miners Park.

Senior Amber Frazell, one of five different Lady Dragons to score in the game, scored her first career goal in the second half. "I really like putting seniors, especially senior defenders, in a position to score on Senior Night, and I'm glad Amber was able to get one," said Pekin head coach Edgar Sandoval.

Freshman Emily LaBanca put Pekin on the board at 5:08 of the first half by beating two Bomber defenders down the right side of he field to create an open shot. Teammates Jakki Johnson and (13:23) and Jeleighsa Hamilton (16:45) also scored in the first half. Sophomore Allie Zuercher scored the final goal of the game at 79:04 with a half volley off a corner from Johnson.

Pekin (6-8-2), which tied its season win totals from 2004 and 2006 for second most wins in a season, takes on Peoria Christian at 4:30 p.m. today in a non-conference match at Eastside Centre in East Peoria.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

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.”

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Washington 1, Pekin 0

PEKIN - Pekin battled Washington tough, but lost to Washington 1-0 on a late penalty kick Tuesday in a Mid-Illini Conference girls' soccer match.
With five minutes left in the match, Pekin (4-8-2, 1-7-2) was called for a touching the ball with a hand in the box. Washington (7-6-1, 4-4-1) senior Michelle Rhodes scored on the penalty kick for the only goal of the game.“I strongly disagree with the call,” Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. “I felt our player was protecting herself and had her arms across her chest - it shouldn't have been called.“But, I told the girls after the game that if we don't want a referee's call to decide the game, we have to finish our chances. It's a tough way to lose, especially considering they had beaten us 6-0 the first time. We're clearly making progress.”
The Dragons' best scoring opportunity was five minutes into the second half when Amanda Miller took a Jakki Johnson corner kick and sent the ball towards the right corner. It caromed off the post.Pekin goalkeeper Lindsay Coffey, who had one diving save, stopped 12 Washington shots