Dixon claims Big Northern Conference Tournament title

DIXON – The Dixon boys soccer team found a winning recipe in the season-ending Big Northern Conference Tournament: Don’t let the other team score.

The Dukes posted their third consecutive tourney shutout on Friday, this one a 2-0 decision against Rockford Christian at A.C. Bowers Field. Dixon outscored tournament foes Winnebago, Genoa-Kingston and Rockford Christian by a combined score of 11-0.

“It feels amazing,” Dixon’s Boston Glessner said. “Playing with my team my whole life, coming out our senior year and winning the championship on our home field, what more could you ask for?”

In 10 conference games, Dixon (12-3) only allowed four goals, and none of them were from Rockford Christian (8-3-1). The Dukes defeated the Royal Lions 1-0 earlier this season.

“Everyone here just shut all the offense out,” Dixon sweeper Ethan Fox said. “The back line is the greatest it’s ever been in 4 years. It’s been amazing. These guys just shut everything down. They don’t let anything through. Four goals in the entire 10 conference games – it’s just incredible work by everybody.”

Rockford Christian coach Eron Harvey looked at getting Fox out of position as a key aspect of the game, if his team was to succeed. It didn’t work.

“It’s Ethan Fox,” Harvey said. “He’s good at cleaning everything up back there. Anytime we break on the outsides, he’s there to clean it up. He’s been a nemesis of mine for 4 years, and I can honestly say I’m happy to see him graduate. It’s not just him, but he’s the key. We were trying to key on getting him out of the center and funneling it back in, but we just weren’t able to do it.”

Dixon had a few scoring chances from close and medium range that didn’t pan out, but successfully dialed long distance on two goals.

The first came with 2 minutes, 17 seconds remaining in the first half, courtesy of Glessner. He was on the far right side of the field, and from about 35 yards lofted the ball over the outstretched arms of Royal Lions keeper Jamison Graber.

“At first I wanted to cross,” Glessner said. “Then I heard my coach say, ‘It’s over his head.’ The next thing you know it’s in the net. I was a little surprised by it. I did not expect a goal out of it.”

Dixon got an insurance goal less than 8 minutes into the second half, and it was also in surprising fashion. Graesen Blumhoff powered in a shot from just in front of the Rockford Christian bench, also from about 35 yards.

“I was deciding whether to shoot or make a cross,” Blumhoff said. “I decided I might as well shoot. If it bounces around, it might get in. I ended up sinking it. It was a hell of a shot, and I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

Dixon keeper Ryan Pitzer made a few nifty saves, but it was mostly a quiet night as business was handled in front of him by a stout Dukes defense.

“They have some very dynamic players, and to hold them out of the back of the net was the goal,” Dixon coach Josh Brigl said. “At the beginning of the year, we wanted to be a team that could defend. In 10 conference games, we gave up four goals. That’s awesome.”

Boys soccer

Big Northern Conference Tournament championship

Dixon 2, Rockford Christian 0

Star of the game: Boston Glessner, Dixon, goal

Key performers: Graesen Blumhoff, Dixon, goal; Dixon defense, third consecutive shutout

Brian Weidman

Brian Weidman

Brian Weidman was a sports reporter for Sauk Valley News