Pekin 3, Lincoln 0; Pekin 3, Sterling 0

PEKIN - The second annual Pekin Invitational girls soccer tournament was a big zero for the host team.

The Lady Dragons didn't allow a goal in three games en route to winning their second consecutive championship.

A 3-0 victory Saturday over Lincoln clinched the title. Pekin previously blanked Peoria Woodruff 7-0 Friday and Sterling 3-0 Saturday in the four-team round-robin competition at Coal Miners Park.

Record setter

The win over Lincoln was Pekin's sixth straight, a school record. The former longest winning streak was five, in 2005.

The young Lady Dragons (7-3-1), who do not have a senior in their starting lineup, also have a school record five consecutive shutouts.

“It was a great weekend,'' said Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval. “The girls did everything I asked them to do, especially on offense.''

Pekin and Lincoln went into their game with identical 2-0 invitational records.

Shawna Swisher, who tied with Lincoln star Beth Rayman for invitational scoring honors with five goals, scored twice to lead the Lady Dragons past the Railsplitters (5-7-1).

Allie Zuercher, who dished out an invitational-best five assists, scored Pekin's other goal against Lincoln.

Helping hand

Kayla Milam saved Pekin's shutout late in the second half when she booted away a ball that had slipped past goalie Lindsay Coffey and was headed into the net.

Coffey was a tower of strength otherwise. She made seven saves and several tough catches on crossing passes.

Haley Lower was assigned to cover Rayman in Lincoln's attacking zone, and Lower carried out her assignment.

Rayman's best scoring chance came on a second-half free kick that kissed the crossbar and went harmlessly out of play.

Lincoln also had not allowed a goal in the invitational going into the title game.

“It was exciting for both Lincoln and us because of what was at stake,'' Sandoval said. “I told the girls beforehand that our substitute rotation was going to be different, like it would be in a state tournament game.''

“This is big time for us,'' said Lincoln coach Tim Stuckey. “We really like playing in this tournament. The hospitality is great, and this is an outstanding facility.''

Swisher scored Pekin's first goal against Lincoln. She used her speed to get behind the defense after chasing down a pass from Zuercher, then she cut to her right and blistered a shot into the net at 16:38 of the first half.

Swisher's second goal came in the second half. Her rebound shot hit the crossbar and bounced down. Stuckey protested the goal, but all that earned him was a yellow card.

“No. 21 (Swisher) is very quick,'' Stuckey said. “We couldn't run her down all day.''

Zuercher's goal, set up by some hard work by Emily LaBanca, gave Pekin a 2-0 halftime lead.

About the only thing that went wrong for the Lady Dragons against Lincoln was the 11 offsides called against them in the first half.

Pekin played the entire invitational without star sweeper Marissa McGurr, who was sidelined with a hip injury. She may be ready to play Tuesday against Mid-Illini Conference power Morton.

“First I need to see if she can run,'' Sandoval said.

JUST FOR KICKS: Swisher, Diane Jess and Jakki Johnson scored Pekin's goals against Sterling, and goalie Morgan Lynn earned the shutout. ... In other invitational games Saturday, Lincoln defeated Woodruff 6-0 and Sterling blanked Woodruff 2-0. ... Sterling (1-2) finished third and Woodruff (0-3) was fourth in the invitational standings. Sterling was outscored 11-2 and Woodruff was outscored 15-0 in three games. ... LaBanca, Pekin's leading scorer last year, plays with a heavy brace on her left knee. She underwent ACL surgery last fall and just returned to action last week. ... Pekin Mayor Dave Tebben helped award championship and runner-up team trophies and individual medals to Pekin and Lincoln after the game.