DeKALB – With 140 minutes of the season in the books, the DeKalb girls soccer team still hasn't given up a goal.
The defense turned in another strong effort Saturday against West Chicago in a 3-0 win as the Barbs won their second straight game to start the year.
"I definitely think even over the last two games we've grown up," junior defender Lindsy Franzene said. "We're continuing to progress and get better. I think that's a good sign."
The Barbs are 2-0 both on the season and in Barbfest, after beating Rockford Jefferson in the opener on Thursday, 7-0. West Chicago was also 1-0 having beaten Plainfield East, 4-1, on Thursday.
Coach Patrick Hamilton said the Barbs are reaping the benefits of having all four starting defenders back from last year.
"Their confidence is high," Hamilton said "They know they can defend well. They put themselves in good shape and make it difficult for their opponents to see a good luck."
Franzene said the chemistry in the back is definitely a plus.
"We're really used to each other," Franzene said. "I think that helps us a lot."
DeKalb started the game hot, scoring in the sixth minute of the 35-minute half. Siobhan Gallagher fed the ball to Maddie Hill, who fired a rocket into the back of the net.
The Barbs added two more in the second half, with Christina Ryzhov connecting less than three minutes into the second half. Six minutes later, Mckenna Wallin scored on a shot the keeper Haley Rich deflected with two hands. It rolled past Rich about five yards into the corner of the net.
Franzene said scoring early is always a goal for the Barbs.
"It sets the tone for the whole entire game," Franzene said. "It's always our goal, to get one in the first five. It gets us all excited and ready to play."
By the numbers: The Barbs have won Barbfest nine straight years.
Beyond the stats: The Barbs have 10 goals in two games. It took them until their fifth game last year to reach the 10-goal mark.
They said it: "I think it definitely does add pressure," Franzene said of DeKalb's recent run of Barbfest titles. "But we're really only worried about one game at a time."
Up next: Pool play concludes in the tournament on Tuesday, with the Barbs facing Plainfield East on the main field and West Chicago battling Jefferson on the grass field north of the stadium. Both games are at 5:45.