Pekin edges Metamora 1-0 to stay perfect

One goal was all Pekin needed. The Dragons beat Metamora 1-0 at home Tuesday evening in a matchup of unbeaten Mid-Illini sides, moving to 3-0 in conference play and handing the Redbirds their first loss of the season.

It was the kind of game the standings promised: Pekin came in at 2-0, Metamora at 1-0-1 and fresh off a 4-0 win, and neither defense gave an inch. The 5:00 kickoff produced a single goal and nothing else — a fitting result for a Pekin back line that has now allowed just one goal through three conference matches.

Metamora falls to 1-1-1, still very much in the hunt in a league where only Pekin has kept a clean record. The Redbirds get a home date with Canton next Tuesday to regroup.

For Pekin, the schedule offers a trip to East Peoria next week before the meat of the second half of the round robin. The Dragons have outscored opponents 6-1 so far. Three down, four to go — and the September 30 visit from Morton and October 7 trip to Limestone loom as the tests that will decide whether this start becomes a title.