DeKALB – The last time the Sycamore soccer team faced DeKalb, it took the Spartans until the final 11 minutes to get on the board.
When the teams met for the rematch on Thursday, Sycamore scored just 13 minutes into the game and held on for a 1-0 win.
The last time the team met, DeKalb jumped out to a 1-0 lead an Sycamore scored twice on a cold, snowy day.
"We knew what it meant, holding on to the 'W,' not giving up the tie," Sycamore coach Dave Lichamer said. "We also knew we had to score first to keep what happened at our place from happening here."
The Spartans (15-1 overall, 5-1 Northern Illinois Big 12 East) were coming off their first loss of the year, 2-1 at Kaneland on Tuesday.
"The Kaneland loss really didn't get in our heads that much," said Kierah Meier, who scored the Sycamore goal. "So we stayed strong and came out with the win."
After a handful of early scoring chances for the Spartans, Kierah Meier sped through the DeKalb defense and took a pass from Ella Holland in stride, connecting with 27:21 left in the first half.
"I made the run and Ella made a beautiful ball to me," Meier said. "I knew I had to finish it, and that's what I did."
The Barbs (13-6-1, 2-3-1) had the chance to tie late in the half when Bella Bettner put up a shot off a counter attack, but Lilly Horne made a diving save. Bettner got the rebound and put up another attempt, and Litzy Murrieta attempted to redirect it on a header, but it just missed.
Haley Brown and Bettner each had good looks in the first seven minutes of the second half nut didn't connect. Mckenna Wallin added a shot with 26:46 left but Horne dove to make a stop.
"If we play a good style of soccer we can play with a lot of teams," DeKalb coach P.J. Hamilton said. "I think you saw that tonight. Two good teams going at it, and unfortunately we were on the other end of that result tonight. But it was a good match tonight."
Wallin had another look at the goal with 5:27 left but the shot went high. Siobhan Gallagher had a free kick from 50 yards out look like it might go in until Horne deflected it over the crossbar with two minutes left, and then DeKalb couldn't capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.
"It's about the 'W' so I think we did pretty alright," Lichamer said. "It was an exiting game, close game. They had some nice chances there at the end and just couldn't quite put away. Our defense held. It's the type of game you like to watch as a fan and don't like as a coach."
By the numbers: There have been two total goals in the last three games DeKalb has played – a 0-0 tie at Yorkville, a 1-0 against Morris and the 1-0 loss Thursday.
Beyond the stats: The DeKalb defense came up with some big plays at around the 20 minute mark as the Sycamore offense started to pick back up. Lindsy Franzene cleared a cross with a header of her own with in the 55th minute, then goalie Allison Yohanan punched a shot away in traffic with 24:52 left. At the 60th minute, Emma Rourke stole the ball from Taylor Meier to turn away a Sycamore attack, and two minutes later Darian Lucas swiped the ball from a Sycamore player to turn away another scoring opportunity.
They said it: "So many times the back four doesn't get recognition, I'm very proud of what they've done," Hamilton said. "I'm glad they catch people's eyes. We're a team and they provide a real quality set for us."
Up next: The Barbs host Yorkville at 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the Spartans are at Dundee-Crown at 10 a.m. Saturday.
"It's about the 'W' so I think we did pretty alright," Lichamer said. "It was an exiting game, close game. They had some nice chances there at the end and just couldn't quite put away. Our defense held. It's the type of game you like to watch as a fan and don't like as a coach."
By the numbers: There have been two total goals in the last three games DeKalb has played – a 0-0 tie at Yorkville, a 1-0 win against Morris and the 1-0 loss Thursday.
Beyond the stats: The DeKalb defense came up with some big plays at around the 20 minute mark as the Sycamore offense started to pick back up. Lindsy Franzene cleared a cross with a header of her own with in the 55th minute, then goalie Allison Yohanan punched a shot away in traffic with 24:52 left. At the 60th minute, Emma Rourke stole the ball from Taylor Meier to turn away a Sycamore attack, and two minutes later Darian Lucas swiped the ball from a Sycamore player to turn away another scoring opportunity.
They said it: "So many times the back four doesn't get recognition, I'm very proud of what they've done," Hamilton said. "I'm glad they catch people's eyes. We're a team and they provide a real quality set for us."
Up next: The Barbs host Yorkville at 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the Spartans are at Dundee-Crown at 10 a.m. Saturday.