Dragons picked to defend soccer title

PEKIN - The Pekin High School girls soccer team has given up an average of 66 goals a year during its 12-year history.

As the Lady Dragons approach the halfway point of this season, they've allowed just 10.

That stingy defense is a big reason why Pekin is favored to successfully defend its championship in its second annual invitational tournament.

Four teams will each play three 60-minute games (20 minutes shorter than usual) today and Saturday in a round-robin format at Coal Miners Park.

Pekin (4-3-1) will open against Peoria Woodruff at 4 p.m. today, then face Sterling (1-3) at 9 a.m. Saturday and Lincoln at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Lady Dragons won all three of their invitational games last year, including a narrow 1-0 triumph over Lincoln that determined the champion. It could all come down to that game again this weekend.

"Our defensive effort this year has been exceptional,'' said Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval. "Giving up just 10 goals is especially impressive when you consider we've played Morton, Dunlap and Metamora.''

Besides playing three games in less than 24 hours, Pekin's defense will be short-handed this weekend.

Star sweeper Marissa McGurr injured her hip during the Lady Dragons' 2-0 win Tuesday over Orion and she missed Pekin's 2-0 victory Thursday over Limestone.

''Marissa is out for the tournament, and maybe longer,'' Sandoval said.

Sophomore Colleen Quilty will be available. Quilty, who was hurt most of her freshman season, is playing a strong defensive midfield. She also creates many scoring chances with her long throw-ins.

"She's a weapon,'' Sandoval said.

Offensive midfielder Allie Zuercher has combined forces with Quilty to give Pekin a strong presence in the midfield.

Goalie Lindsay Coffey stopped four Limestone shots in recording her second shutout of the year.

Emily LaBanca, Pekin's leading scorer last year, played her first game of the season Thursday. She's recovering from ACL surgery she underwent in the fall.

"We start two freshmen, four sophomores and five juniors, so our future looks bright,'' Sandoval said.

Woodruff, Pekin's opponent this afternoon, won its first game of the season Tuesday when it defeated Peoria Central, 6-2.

After opening the year with a 1-1 tie with Orion, Sterling has been outscored 17-0 in its last three games.

Lincoln features star forward Beth Rayman, who set single-season school records in goals (17) and points (39) last year. The four-year starter also owns school career records in goals and points.

Rayman, who was born without use of her left hand and arm, takes Lincoln's free kicks, corner kicks and penalty kicks.

Lincoln's fifth-place finish in the Central State Eight Conference last year was its highest since the program was launched in 1997. Led by Rayman's efforts, the Railsplitters broke 11 school records in 2007.