ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Lady Hubs came within minutes of another shutout as the clock wound down during their nonconference varsity soccer match against Mendota on Tuesday.

Returning to the field for their second match in two days, the Lady Hubs continued to play well on the defensive end, where Rochelle maintained its line and sophomore goalkeeper Yana Bartkiv delivered key saves to anchor the back. After earning a shutout win against Stillman Valley on Monday, Rochelle took a shutout deep into the second half on Tuesday, but a late through ball led to a game winning goal for the Trojans, who outlasted the Lady Hubs 1-0.

“We’ve come together over our last couple of games and we’ve had better communication,” head coach Brad Male said. “I thought that showed today and it’s unfortunate that we gave one up in the last four minutes, but overall, I’m pleased with how we played back there. I think we’re coming around with our conditioning, but our physicality and aggressiveness has improved.”

In a defensive battle, both teams combined for just three shots on goal during the first half. Senior midfielder Makayla Lara posted two shots on goal for the Lady Hubs, who took a 0-0 draw with Mendota into the second half, where the Trojans started to turn up the pressure despite playing against the wind. Mendota moved the ball deep into Rochelle territory, but clutch saves from Bartkiv in the 61st, 63rd and 67th minutes kept the Trojans off the scoreboard.

“Yana did an exceptional job in goal today,” Male said. “She had a lot of saves today and her confidence is coming around. She’s gaining the confidence to know she can go get the ball.”

Another save from Bartkiv in the 71st minute preserved the shutout, but as the match neared its conclusion, the Trojans finally broke through a worn-down Rochelle defensive line. With senior defender and captain Betty Flores, a key stopper for the Lady Hubs, sidelined with an injury, Mendota capitalized on a through ball down the middle, scoring after Trojan forward Crystal Garcia outraced the Lady Hub defense to the ball and booted it into the net in the 77th minute.

Bartkiv finished with seven saves for the Lady Hubs (1-2, 0-0 Interstate 8), who were outshot 13-7 and trailed 8-2 in shots on goal for the match. Defensive unity was a key for the Lady Hubs, as Rochelle drew Mendota offside seven times, most of which came in the second half, to keep its shutout.