Girls soccer squad captures own regional title

HUNTLEY  — “We did it,” Huntley Red Raiders girls soccer team members shouted as they gathered in celebration of a Class 3A regional title.

The 17-3-3 Red Raiders won their own tourney at Red Raider Stadium in convincing style, a 5-0 triumph over DeKalb which followed an 8-0 pasting of Rockford East.

Sparked by a hat trick of goals by leading scorer Helzer, the Red Raiders moved on to sectional for the first time in six seasons. Huntley travels to Machesney Park Harlem to face Lake Zurich in the sectional semifinals May 23. The sectional final is May 26.

“It feels great,” HHS senior and team leader Grace Helzer said.

“It feels amazing,” senior Chloe Pfaff said.

“This is the first time for the girls’ side that we’ve gone this far. I think we’re playing our best soccer now,” head coach Matt Lewandowski said.

The Barbs came in after an upset of Hononegah, but the 6-12 team just could not keep up. Helzer, help in goal scoring came from junior Alex Szydlowski (seventh goal of the season) who tallied on a rebound shot and freshman MaizeNickle, who has chalked up eight goals.

In Lake Zurich, the Red Raiders will be facing a very similar team, with a 17-3-2 record, third in the North Suburban Conference, winners of seven straight, including two  regional wins in shutouts. Junior forward Lauren Bailey is the team leader with 28 goals.

“They look like us from another dimension on paper.” Lewandowski said of the Bears. “They have a similar record, similar finish in conference, similar stats among players. Hopefully it will be a great match from both teams. They beat us last season in a regional final, so we’re happy to return the favor in a sectional semifinal.”

The HHS team has gained a 17-win record which earns it the most victories in Lewandowski’s tenure as head coach. The Red Raiders’ win total eclipsed the previous best season by six triumphs.

“We have a great group who come in and work hard every day,” Lewandowski said.

Leaders for the Huntley squad all season have been senior forwards Helzer and Pfaff. Helzer has tallied 22 goals, including three against Rockford East in the game’s first five minutes. Pfaff has 12 goals and 14 assists.

“Helzer and Pfaff have been great all season,” Lewandowski said. “They have built upon an incredible chemistry on the field very quickly as Pfaff has only played one season for us. Their relationship, along with their speed and quickness and tenacity in attack have led to a lot of goals and assists not only for themselves, but for the whole team.”

Pfaff finishes her prep career at Huntley after playing club soccer in previous seasons.