McCaughn’s love of sports, teams a family trait
HUNTLEY — Morgan McCaughn was one of eight Huntley High School seniors who filled all but one role in the starting lineup on senior night against Crystal Lake South.
As she did in basketball season, Morgan is a team captain on a successful squad.
“It’s very special,” said Morgan McCaughn after the Red Raiders downed Crystal Lake South 5-0 May 9. She said always bringing a positive attitude each day was the most important aspect.
For McCaughn, her start in soccer included being coached by her dad, Kyle, who is also the Crystal Lake South head girls soccer coach. Father and daughter and mom Becky were part of HHS senior night. He wore a Red Raiders soccer sweatshirt for senior night festivities before switching over to his Gators wear for the match.
“It’s fun, we go back and forth,” Morgan said of the FVC rivalry in one Huntley family.
Fortunately, the Gators play their home games in the afternoon and Kyle can catch his daughter’s Red Raiders varsity contests. At home there is both Red Raiders and Gators apparel.
Kyle McCaughn, who got another big hug from his daughter after the game, recalled when it all began on the pitch and the basketball court.
“I have been coaching her since the age of three,” he said. “I have been blessed to have coached her since she could kick a soccer ball at park district games. I’m so proud of her each and every day for the person she has become.”
McCaughn specialized in defense the early days with Huntley United Club soccer. “She was fearless and could see the whole pitch very well. She always has been a student of both basketball and soccer,” Kyle said.
McCaughn plays forward for HHS and has contributed five goals in a strong 14-3-3, 5-1-3 FVC season. She will attend the University of South Alabama next fall and major in social work but knows her team sports days will soon be over, although she may try organized recreation sports in college.
For now, the Huntley seniors, who will receive their HHS diplomas in just 11 days at Northern Illinois University after the win Tuesday night, accepted well wishes.
The seniors include leading scorers Grace Helzer with (pre-CLS match) 14 goals, 34 points; Chloe Pfaff, 9 goals, 11 assists for 29 points; Gabi Farraj has 15 points and goalie Asher Vanni has made 53 saves. Contributors to the successful team also include Alli Hornberg, Karen Reyes-Villaneuva, Ellie Knebl and Gabby Rivera.
“It was a great night for senior night, a culmination of not only this year but their entire athletic careers,” HHS coach Matt Lewandowski said. “My wife Nina coached a lot of them at Huntley United so I have seen them play since then. For most if not all of them, this is their last season in sports but I’m sure they will all go on to do great things.”
The Red Raiders have been on good run with a 3-0 FVC win over Dundee-Crown and an 8-0 shutout over future regional foe Rockford East. HHS and East will clash in a Class 3A regional battle at 4:30 p.m. May 16 at HHS.
