What better way to feel confident than to head on the road and beat rival Johnsburg?.

Senior Breanne Retherford had a goal and an assist Thursday to help R-B defeat the Skyhawks, 3-1, in Kishwaukee River Conference play.

Fellow seniors Anna Blaney and Gabby Ross also scored goals for the Rockets (2-0, 2-0 KRC), who held Johnsburg scoreless in the final 56 minutes.

"I thought our back line did an excellent job of shutting them down," DeCaluwe said. "I thought we did a great job keeping their chances to long-distance shots and nothing real close. When you have someone like [senior captain Sarah Kitterman] back there dictating things, it's enjoyable as a coach."

Although the Rockets managed the two-goal win, it was the Skyhawks (0-3, 0-2) and midfielder Amber Humphres who opened the scoring. On one of those long-distance shots that DeCaluwe mentioned, Humphres found a way to put it over the top of R-B goalkeeper Lindsy Restis.

That was the only shot that beat Restis, who finished with eight saves.

From that point, the Rockets' speed took over. Outside midfielders Ross and Retherford created chances down their respective wings, both capitalizing on crosses.

Just before halftime, Retherford dished out a cross that Blaney one-timed into the back of the net to level the score at the break.

"We have strong players in the middle that get themselves in the right spots to finish crosses," Retherford said. "It makes our job easy on the outside when we can play it in and know someone will be on the end of it."

Retherford then added a goal, crashing the back post off a free kick from Kitterman to give the Rockets a 2-1 lead one minute into the second half.

A cross by Ross slipped through Johnsburg goalkeeper Jessica Strzelczyk's hands to provide the final goal for the Rockets, who gain that confidence they wanted heading into spring break.

"We had a lot of confidence in ourselves coming into the season, but it's not always there until you get out on the field and pay," Blaney said. "The chemistry is at a really good place right now. We're all extremely close as friends, and I think that showed a lot and helps a lot early in the season."

Although the Skyhawks have lost each of their first three games of the season, coach Rob Eastland hasn't taken all negatives away from his team's start.

It would be more disappointing to the longtime Johnsburg coach if he didn't see potential in his group, which is certainly not the case despite scoring just twice in its first three matches.

"I thought today was two good teams going at it early in the season," Eastland said. "It was a well-deserved win for [R-B]. We seem to always start the season slow, which isn't the worst thing. It's all about peaking at the right time, and I think this group is certainly capable of that. I like the attitude they have shown, and we'll move on and get better from here."

Neither team will play again until April 4, when R-B hosts Marengo and Johnsburg hosts Woodstock.

Unsung hero

Sarah Kitterman

Richmond-Burton, sr., D

Kitterman had an assist on a free kick and was also the anchor of an R-B defense that handled Johnsburg.

The Number

8: Saves by R-B goalkeeper Lindsy Restis

And another thing …

Just before halftime, Rockets forward Anna Blaney scored a goal with her team going into the wind to tie the score. The Rockets scored twice with the wind at their backs in the second half to win by two goals.

RICHMOND-BURTON 3, JOHNSBURG 1

Richmond-Burtpn 1 2 – 3

Johnsburg 1 0 – 1

Scoring

First half

J– Humphres, 24'

R-B– Blaney (Retherford), 31'

Second half

R-B– Retherford (Kitterman), 41'

R-B– Ross, 52'

Goalkeeper saves: Restis (R-B) 8, Strzelczyk 3.

Discipline: None.