Girls soccer squad gears up for regional

HUNTLEY — Huntley girls soccer team is turning its focus to post-season goals.

The Red Raiders concluded the regular season with a 0-0 draw against Taft on May 11. They faced Grant in the first round of the Machesney Park Harlem Class 3A regional May 15.

“We had a successful season ending 13-4-4, second place in the FVC,” Huntley coach Matt Lewandowski said.

The head coach praised the play of leading scorers, Gabi Farraj and Maddie Cummings, who both scored eight goals. Cummings had 22 points to Farraj’s 18.

“Farraj and Cummings have been invaluable to us. Both of them rise to the occasion and provide that spark of greatness for us. They’ve taken turns in a way showing up when they’re most needed and at times, have carried us to success.  It’s a tremendous asset to have natural athletes that can provide that for you,” Lewandowski said.

For midfielder Farraj, the regional tournament this week is a special one.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I could walk,” the captain said.

She will attend DePaul University this fall, but won’t play soccer for the Blue Demons.

“We have great team chemistry,” Farraj added. “We’ve had a pretty good season. It hasn’t been a straight line, we’ve had some good games, some bad games.”

If the Red Raiders gain a first-round win, the regional final is May 17 at Harlem. They won a regional crown last season, and this season’s sectional is at Red Raider Stadium.