Red Raiders ready for girls lacrosse sectional
HUNTLEY — Huntley’s girls lacrosse senior players were praised for their dedication to the program on senior night.
The Red Raiders have won four out of their last five regular season contests, including a 26-7 victory over Streamwood for senior night.
A group of seven Huntley High School girls lacrosse players continued their interest in the sport through club and town teams reported for freshman season at Red Raider Stadium workouts four years ago. The contingent, Allie Ambrogio, Sophia Zion, Leah Hiller, Kilee Galgay, Ashley Garrard, Abby Reyes and Ashley Zolen participated in a walk-though with their parents and younger players holding up their sticks in salute.
“These girls have worked very hard to better themselves at not only at the sport of lacrosse but as students, athletes and overall great people,” HHS coach Joe Domka said.
“I’ll miss it a lot,” Zion said. “It’s my favorite sport. I will be playing club lacrosse at Auburn University, where I’ll study biology preme. Our goal the rest of the season is to go far in the playoffs, win three or four matches.”
Sophia’s dad, Mark, said she started playing lacrosse in eighth grade with a club team from Crystal Lake and later Second City of Palatine. She started her career with one of her first goals against a cousin who played for McHenry. Zion overcame two ACL knee injuries, exactly one year apart and reached senior night festivities.
Classmate Ambrogio has chalked up 37 goals and she recalled her start in lacrosse.
“My brother taught me lacrosse,” Allie Ambrogio said. “The hardest part was learning to play with my left hand.”
“Ambrogio has been a phenomenal addition to the program,” Domka said. “She has been a four-year varsity starter. She has very good lacrosse smarts and stick skills. This makes her a threat to any team we play.”
Recent achievements of late are sophomore Kate Ferrara reached 115 career goals, 61 for the season and 89 total points. Schneider contributed 46 goals.
Recent matches
Huntley prevailed in a battle with Conant for a 9-7 win.
“We really needed that confidence with the Conant match,” Domka said. “They are a good team and it really gave us the confidence we need to finish up the season.”
Battles also included a key clash for a share of the FVC lead. Crystal Lake co-op edged Huntley, 5-4. The Red Raiders defeated Warren Township, a 12-win team, 12-7. HHS went over the .500 mark on the season (10-9) as it downed Rosary, 16-3, May 13.
Post-season
Huntley will host an IHSA girls lacrosse sectional. The Red Raiders, seeded fourth, will face fifth-seed Barrington May 22 at a site to be announced. The semifinals are May 24 and the final May 26 at HHS.
