Up to the task: HHS boys lacrosse captures sectional

HUNTLEY – An even-keel approach, one prolific scorer and a game-winning play that began at their own end helped send Huntley’s boys lacrosse team to a spot in school history May 27.

Senior Andrew Toman’s goal with 2:47 left in overtime capped a 10-9 Huntley Sectional Final victory over Hampshire. The Red Raiders, 17-4, advanced to the Super Sixteen May 31 at Hoffman Estates against Lake Forest. It was the 15th straight win for HHS.

Andrew “AJ” Baumley supplied half of the team’s goals. His first goal came off the opening face-off, which he handles, about 30 seconds into the match.

“Our coaches stress not to let the lows get too low or the highs get too high,” Baumley said. “They’ll have their runs and we can come back.”

“AJ comes through for us in the clutch, in our games against top 10 teams or the playoffs,” HHS fifth-year coach Dominic Saccomanno said.

The game winner began when the Whip-Purs, neighbors and Fox Valley Conference rivals, were on their last push on offense.

“Liam Manning made a great play on defense,” Saccomanno said. “He could have given a push, but he held his own and let the guy fall down on his own and got the ball to goalie Jacob Gehl. Gehl had a great pass to Connor Ardell who found Toman.”

Toman described his shot from near the crease as “being a finisher.”

There was also key efforts at the start of the play.

“Every time I go on defense I prepare to get a turnover,” Manning said. “Hampshire is a very athletic team, quick and fast like us.”

The game marked Huntley’s second big clash with Hampshire. On Friday, Hampshire scored three straight goals for an 8-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Baumley’s scoring barrage led the comeback with three more goals. His final goal gave the home team a 9-8 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Hampshire gained a tie at 9-9 with less than a minute left and had a final-second shot but just missed.

“We’ve played in overtime matches before, against Fremd, and know and understand the rules and the importance of ball control,” Saccomanno said. “This (lacrosse) started for ,many of you in fourth or fifth grade,” the coach said. “But it’s not over yet.”