ROCHELLE — Better teamwork and communication on the field had the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team in the mix against a pair of tough Interstate 8 Conference opponents this week.

After playing Sycamore to a 1-0 loss on Monday evening, Rochelle returned home for a rematch against Kaneland on Wednesday. Despite falling to the Knights 6-3 earlier this season, the Hubs were in control early and held Kaneland at bay for nearly the entire second half. Rochelle was within minutes of victory, but the Knights eventually broke through, scoring in the 75th minute to even the score at 1-1 and ultimately send the conference match into a penalty-kick shootout.

Senior forward Alberto Casillas converted the lone penalty kick in three tries for the Hubs, but Kaneland made all four of its penalty kicks to win the shootout and hand Rochelle a tough loss. Rochelle (8-10-1, 3-4 Interstate 8) will host a nonconference match with Freeport on Saturday.

“Defensively, we were covering for each other and we cleared the ball a little better,” head coach Brad Male said. “We found more of those outlet passes and that helped us transition into our offense better. We were coming off a tough loss against Sycamore and I thought that put some fire into these boys. We can compete with anyone in our conference and our last two games show that. It was unfortunate to lose today, but I’m pleased with how we stepped up.”

Junior goalkeeper Antonio Hueramo recorded seven saves for the Hubs, who shut out the Knights in the first half after allowing six goals at Kaneland earlier this season. Rochelle took the early lead, scoring in the 15th minute after junior midfielder Heilly Zepeda found senior midfielder Fernando Diaz for a goal to put the Hubs ahead 1-0. The Knights put five shots on goal during the first half, but the Rochelle defensive line held strong to prevent a breakthrough.

“It’s always a boost when we get that first goal and we aren’t trailing or trying to come back,” Male said. “I thought that boosted our spirits knowing that we could score against them. We moved the ball well and I’m pleased that we were on offense as much as we were today.”

The tide slowly turned in the second half, where Kaneland began to take more possession of the ball in the midfield and pressure the Rochelle defense. Key saves from Hueramo and strong play from defenders like sophomore center back Eliud Lombardia and senior outside back Francisco Diaz kept the Knights off the board until the 75th minute, when a turnover by Rochelle led to a through ball down the far sideline that Kaneland converted to even the score.

With the match tied at 1-1 after 80 minutes, both teams took the field for the penalty-kick shootout. Kaneland goalkeeper Cooper Van Wagoner blocked Rochelle’s first three shots, giving the Knights a significant advantage. Although Casillas cashed in on the fourth attempt for the Hubs, Kaneland made all four to clinch the win as players rushed the field in celebration.

“Our teamwork has improved a lot over the course of the season,” Male said. “That’s what we’ve been striving for during practice and in games. I thought that really showed today.”