Normal Community 2, Pekin 1

PEKIN - Pekin’s girls soccer team got off to a bit of a rough start to its 2009 season Thursday, although the Lady Dragons’ 2-1 loss to visiting Normal Community did show some good as well.
The Dragons’ defense, led by Marissa McGurr, Colleen Quilty and Morgan Lynn, was tenacious in the first half, limiting the Lady Ironmen to just a few chances on goal.
Those chances finally materialized early in the second half, when an unassisted goal by all-stater Kelly Shulman (Indiana State University signee) and then an assist from Shulman to midfielder Meg Rogers put Normal Community up 2-0 just four minutes in.
“We came out flat,” said Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval. “I’m not sure why because our girls were so jazzed after the first half, but it happens.”
The Lady Dragons responded five minutes later. Freshman midfielder Megan Campbell found freshman forward Sarah Zuercher at the top of the box. Zuercher sent a left footed rocket past Lady Ironmen goalie Jessica Rolfs (University of Tennessee signee) for her first career goal.
“Megan and Sarah have great chemistry having played together for so many years before high school,” Sandoval said. “I think this was the first of many great moments we’ll see from them.”
It was a tough, physical match and Pekin’s aggressiveness seemed to frustrate the visitors, who committed twice as many fouls (10 to 5) and were issued two yellow cards.
Pekin had a few solid chances including one from freshman Michaela Quilty at point blank range, but Rolfs was able to turn the Lady Dragons away.
“This was a great showing for us,” Sandoval said. “Normal Community might just be the best team out of the Twin Cities. They’ve got two D-I signees and several other players who will get looks. For us to play them close to even is a great start to this season.”
The Lady Dragons travel to Sherrard on Saturday morning for an 11 a.m. match with the Orion/Sherrard co-op team.