Girls soccer clicking on all cylinders

HUNTLEY — Huntley’s girls soccer team has already had a memorable first half of the season, knocking on the door of a double digit victory season and battling the toughest in the Fox Valley Conference.

The Red Raiders moved to 9-2-1 record, 2-1-1 FVC with a 1-0 victory at Prairie Ridge April 18. A second half goal from junior Gabi Farraj was the match winner.

The Huntley squad is led on offense by senior forward Grace Helzer, who has chalked up 28 total points on 12 goals and four assists (before the win over the Wolves). She has seen growth in the team’s play.

“I think the difference is we’ve got great chemistry as a team, both on and off the field, and it shows” leading scorer Grace Helzer commented.

Helzer is a veteran player on the soccer pitch. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was 3-years-old,” she said. “I’m definitely going to miss it.”

In addition to Helzer, other top contributors include senior Chloe Pfaff, with six goals and six assists for 18 points; and senior forward Morgan McCaughn with three goals and seven points.

“We’ve started out with some of the tougher FVC opponents,” HHS coach Matt Lewandowski said. “I expect Crystal Lake Central and Burlington Central to be the top, or toward the top. McHenry has been making huge strides and the progress they have made is awesome. To be where we are after facing three tough teams is a good place.”

It was an overtime goal by junior Ava Trudeau that was the lone goal in the win over the Warriors.

“Trudeau has been close to netting her first goal this season in multiple games but to have it a game winner against a tough McHenry team is awesome,” Lewandowski said.

The goalie play of seniors Maddie Lackovic and Asher Vanni has been stellar, with the duo totaling 38 and 23 saves, respectively, prior to the win over the Wolves. They have a combined nine shutouts.

“The keepers have been nothing short of amazing,” the coach said. “Both are putting in quality work every game. This past weekend they combined to give up two goals in two games to fuel us to wins in penalty shootouts. Lackovic saved four penalty shots, two in each game.”

HHS won 2-1 over both South Elgin and Wheaton Academy. Against South Elgin, it was Helzer and Nikki Brzezowski with the tallies and against Wheaton Academy, two of Helzer’s shots ended in the goal.

Helzer and the group of eight seniors hope to finish strong in their careers, shooting for a FVC top spot and  contender status in regionals.  Gabbi Rivera, Karen Reyes-Villanuuava and Ellie Knebl also are concluding their soccer careers.