Girls soccer keeps up pace in FVC
HUNTLEY – Strong play on both sides of the pitch led Huntley to a three-match win streak in Fox Valley Conference contests.
Huntley gained a shutout win over Prairie Ridge 2-0 for a 3-1 FVC record as of April 18. This victory followed a 5-1 triumph over McHenry and a 4-0 victory at Jacobs. The Red Raiders had a 1-2 record at the Prospect Invite April 19-20 for an 8-4-2 mark.
The Red Raiders are at Hampshire April 23 in a key FVC clash. The two teams are tied with 3-1 league records, behind leader Crystal Lake Central’s 4-0 FVC record.
“Against PR we were able to frustrate them with our defensive effort,” HHS head coach Matt Lewandowski said. “This group of girls has been amazing when it comes to shutting down opponents. They’ve really brought into the defensive ideas we brought to the table this year. The same goes for the two previous FVC games.”
Weather switched from a rain-soaked first half to more dry conditions in the second but a slick pitch.
“We were able to weather the storm through the first half,” Lewandwoski said. “Quite a bit of rain for the entire half. The second half was almost a different game and we were able to sustain pressure, and they left their side of the field very few times.”
Sophomore Maizie Nichol broke through after a pass from Brooke Maxedon for a goal in the 57th minute. Less than two minutes later, senior Alex Szydlowski also scored a goal. The two tallies held up as the back line and goalies Maddie Lackovic (three saves) and Ashlyn Grabs (two saves) held off the Wolves.
“Nichol and Sydlowski were able to use that pressure giving us two goals and the advantage for the win,” Lewandowski said.
Nichol was excited for her goal.
“This is my second game back after a knee injury, so I was pretty psyched,” Nichol said. “It was pretty chaotic in front of the box and Maxedon found me with a pass.”
“It’s good to have Nichol back,” Lewandowski said. “She is a high energy player that isn’t afraid to get dirty when needed and will literally do anything to score a goal.”
It was only a matter of seconds before a shot by Szydlowski found the net for a 2-0 lead.
“As for Szydlowski, she has two goals and three assists and is one of our most consistent players,” the coach said. “She does a really great job to put herself in the right space at the right time when it is needed most.”
Szydlowski credits a couple of factors which led to a love of soccer.
“My neighbor suggested I give soccer a try. My family was also very involved in soccer,” Szydlowski said.
Both Nichols and Szydlowski have been playing soccer since grade school.
Earlier FVC wins followed a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Crystal Lake Central. Ava Trudeau and Gabi Farraj scored the HHS goals.
The Red Raiders beat Jacobs, 4-0, on April 16. Huntley scored all of the goals in the second half. Farraj scored the first goal while Sofia Bruns, Bella Fusci and Jaci Laramie’s shots also found the net.
Tallying goals against McHenry in a 5-1 win were Brooke Grabs, Maddie Rumachik, Farraj, Maddie Cummings and Peyton Kohn.
Prospect tournament
The Red Raiders’ win was 2-1 over Grayslake North. Goals were scored by Brooke Grabs and Szydlowski. Huntley lost to University High, 3-1 in a shootout, with the shootout goal by Sophie Bator, and lost to Lake Zurich, 3-0.
