Richwoods 4, Pekin 3

PEKIN — Coming off a record-setting Senior Night on Thursday, Pekin had its momentum halted by Richwoods, as the host Lady Dragons fell to the Lady Knights by a score of 4-3 Saturday.
Pekin set a record for wins in a season (12) on Thursday night, but the Lady Dragons (12-4-2) couldn’t quite hold off Louisville-recruit Courtney Holtz, who found the net twice in Richwoods’ Saturday win.
Nicole Strube struck first for the Lady Knights, scoring 3:55 into the game, while Holtz followed up just over 20 minutes later with her first goal.
“Holtz and Strube are fast and they work well together,” Pekin coach Edgar Sandoval said. “We had a plan. They were just able to execute better.”
Pekin freshman Sarah Zuercher answered back with the first of her two goals to bring the Lady Dragons within one at the half.
Zuercher tied the game with her second goal five minutes into the second period on an assist from junior Lauren Cash, but Holtz retaliated with a penalty kick seven minutes later to put Richwoods ahead 3-2.
Pekin junior Shawna Swisher tied the game once more, but Strube’s second goal was enough to give the Lady Knights their sixth win of the year, compared to nine losses and no ties.
“No one play loses a match,” Sandoval said. “We had plenty of chances. Obviously we wanted the win, but it was a terrific back-and-forth battle.”
The Lady Dragons will finish up the regular season Wednesday at Dunlap and will begin regional play on Friday.