The Dux varsity soccer team played their last regular season home game in front of a packed house Wednesday night, earning a 1-1 draw against perennial state powerhouse Unity Christian. The Dux struck first in the opening 15 minutes of the game, when Anna Miller got in behind the Crusader back line. After cutting the ball back, she found Bella Cifuentes wide open on top of the penalty box. Bella's one-time shot was headed towards goal and a mass of bodies in front of the net when Brooklyn Geerlings deflected it, catching the keeper going the wrong way. Unity Christian scored with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half, to knot the score at 1-1 heading into the break. 

In the second half, both teams generated several quality scoring chances but were unable to find the back of the net. Both teams battled throughout the second half to maintain possession through the midfield, and both defenses played solid and intelligent soccer.

"What a great night and atmosphere for soccer - great crowd, great kids, two quality teams getting after it for 80 minutes... Unity has set the standard of excellence for years, and has a strong tradition of success. For 80 minutes tonight, our kids went toe to toe with a really good team and were able to compete and execute at a really high level playing our brand of soccer. Our defense did an excellent job of absorbing pressure and playing out of the back, limiting a potent offense to very few quality looks at goal. Our midfield played with poise and composure, and matched their physicality and aggressiveness. In the attacking third, we generated 5 or 6 quality chances in the second half which could have pushed us over the top. Despite that, we were able to sustain our energy, enthusiasm and execution in all phases of our game plan tonight. Really proud of the consistency, resiliency and composure with which we continue to play."

The Dux are 8-1-2 on the season and look to play East Grand Rapids on Monday before starting conference tournament play on Tuesday, when they host Muskegon.