Mendez Doubles up as Peoria Notre Dame Claims Big 12 Opener
Two strikes from Alexander Mendez break the tie in a high-stakes Peoria showdown.
The turf at Normal West still holds the scent of damp earth and cut grass as the final whistle fades. Alexander Mendez stands near the sideline, chest heaving, his boots caked in mud from the two goals that broke the deadlock. Peoria Notre Dame has just seized the first round of their Big 12 conference campaign, defeating the hosts 4-1 in a match that carried the weight of two unbeaten records.
It was a physical contest, the kind where the air feels thinner and every tackle leaves a mark. Both teams entered Thursday’s fixture with perfect conference marks, but the Irish emerged with the upper hand. As the scoreboard settled on the final digits, the tension of the rivalry shifted, setting the stage for a high-stakes football clash on Friday night at West.
Mendez strikes the opening and closing blows
The game’s rhythm was set by Mendez’s precision. He scored in the opening minutes, a sharp strike that silenced the home crowd early. The Irish extended their advantage through an own goal, pushing the lead to 2-0 before Bryson Edwards pulled Normal West back into the contest with a second-half goal. The momentum swung, but Mendez’s final touch in the closing minutes sealed the narrative.
Gavin Stickelmeier added a rebound goal to make it 3-1, a finish that felt inevitable after the sustained pressure. For Peoria Notre Dame, the victory moves their conference record to 3-0. Normal West, despite the loss, retains a 5-1 record in the Big 12. The result is a clear statement of intent for a team looking to dominate its division.
Other regional squads secure their wins
Beyond the Peoria derby, the evening delivered decisive results across the region. Chatham Glenwood dismantled Dunlap 4-0 in a soccer match that saw little resistance from the visitors. The dominance was complete, with the ball finding the net repeatedly as Glenwood controlled the tempo and space.
Volleyball courts saw a similar pattern of dominance. Morton, Washington, Metamora, IVC, Tremont, and Peoria Christian all claimed victories in their respective matches. These wins solidify their positions in the local standings, creating a broader landscape of competitive strength across Central Illinois high school athletics.
Friday football sets the next stage
The soccer result is merely the prologue. The two schools will face off again on Friday night, this time in a high school football game at West. The energy from Thursday’s soccer match will carry over, with fans and players alike eager to see if the momentum shifts on the gridiron. It is a direct continuation of the rivalry, a test of resilience and preparation.
According to Yahoo Sports, the intensity of these matchups defines the local high school scene. The details of the soccer game, from Mendez’s dual goals to Stickelmeier’s rebound, provide the context for what is to come. The season is young, but the stakes are already high, and every possession counts.
