This time around the game was tighter defensively.

About a week after battling Mt. Zion to a 4-4 tie, Mattoon shut down the Braves in a low scoring, tightly contested Apollo Conference boys soccer match Monday night.

Trent Hettinger scored on a cross from MHS teammate Quincy Hamilton about three minutes before halftime for the only score in the 1-0 victory.

Neither team could find the back of the net during the second half, and Mattoon held on for the shutout win.

Jason Skocy made eight saves in goal while Mattoon’s back line of Mick Porter, Jackson Whalin, Quentin Wright and Ty Eastin played solid on defense.

The Green Wave improve to 8-3-1 overall, 4-2-1 in the Apollo Conference.

Mattoon next takes on Effingham today at 4:30 p.m.

Quentin Wright heads a ball (left) while Trent Hettinger dribbles through Mt. Zion defenders (right). Photos/Ron Ghere