Illinois Valley Times

The Streator boys' soccer team got a big historical win earlier this month.

When the Bulldogs topped traditional powerhouse Herscher 3-1 on Sept. 1, it was the 300th career win for head coach James Muntz.

The coach's win total should increase quite a bit this season, given the Bulldogs' stellar start. Streator started the season with an 8-2 record, including a 2-2 mark in the Interstate Eight Conference.

Streator entered the season with seven returning starters and 14 returning letter winners who played on last season's team, which went 16-5-1.

Returning starters are senior striker Brian Mushimba, senior midfielders Tanner Kennedy and Hunter Koehler, senior defender Tyler Russow and sophomore defender Alonzo Flores, senior goalkeeper David Calderon, and junior Wes Jolly.

OTTAWA

The Pirates entered the season with nine returning letter winners.

Returning letter winners are seniors Wyatt Anderson, Tyler Angus, Dawson Baker, Peyton Couch, Andrew Felty, Jaxon Fogarty, Juan Lopez and Nathan Taylor, and junior Christian Resendez.

Ottawa started the season 0-5, with some close losses, head coach Jeff Davis said.

MENDOTA

The Trojans started this season 5-2-1 after last season's 11-12 record, which included a loss in the regional semifinal.

Returning letter winners include Marco Arteaga, Jon Patino, Christian Salinas, Lorenzo Varela, Ruti Arteaga and Joe Arteaga.

GIRLS' TENNIS

LASALLE-PERU

This year's Cavaliers program has 38 players, with 19 on varsity, head coach Aaron Guenther said recently. 

Top players include No. 1 single Maddie Smith, and No. 1 doubles team Maddy Freeman and Emily Ficek.

Newcomers include Lindsey Rimes, Angela Bernardoni, Kendall Yeruski and Chloe Irvin.

STREATOR

The team claimed a win over Peoria in its first five matches this season.

The varsity lineup is Kaitlyn Sopko at No. 1 singles, Maya Durdan at No. 2 singles, Cheyenne Coon and Yolanda Cerda at No. 1 doubles, Emma Gonzalez and Venessa Pena at No. 2 doubles, and Yaminia Deleon and Lyndsey Arevalo at No. 3 doubles.

MENDOTA

Mendota started the season 2-1 with wins over Sterling and Streator, with the team's early loss against Dixon.

Head coach Shawn LeRette said that the team is young this year, with experienced returner Melissa Wohrley, and No. 2 doubles team Lillian Rodrigues and Gracie Sheehan. The rest of the lineup includes Iris Espinoza at No. 1 singles, Marie Barnickel at No. 2 singles, and Hope McDowell at No. 1 doubles.

Last year, the team went 9-6, with seniors leading the way.