Overtime work nets soccer regional title

HUNTLEY — Putting in some overtime work paid big dividends for Huntley’s boys soccer team.

Two overtimes were needed before the Red Raiders outlasted South Elgin, 3-2, Oct. 26 for their Class 3A Regional title at Red Raider Stadium. Huntley advanced to the Streamwood Sectional where they will fsce Hampshire, at 6 p.m. Oct. 30.

“Playing a team that fights against us that hard should really help us movie forward. Max Connell was on it in the overtimes, he showed up at the right time. Goalie Jeremiah Reynolds also did very well,” Red Raiders head coach Matt Lewandowski said.

“We came out with a lot of energy in the overtime, it feels great to win a regional,” Huntley senior Tylar Caddick said.

Huntley is 13-6-4 heading into the sectional semifinal and riding a solid performance of late, 7-0-2.

Connell, a junior,  was the deciding factor whose plays allowed Huntley to win the regional for the second straight year. He scored his fourth goal of the season and assisted on one by Caddick as Huntley gained a 3-1 lead in the first overtime. The Storm scored in the second overtime, but the home team held on for the championship.

The two teams were tied at 1-1 at half and after regulation. Lazar Karnovic scored the first goal for Huntley from 40 plus yards out.

“I was pretty mad that it went into overtimes,” Connell said. “The goal in overtime was my biggest goal of the year. We feel good for (advancing to) Streamwood.”

Goalie senior Jeremiah Reynolds was up to the task at the net with six saves.

“The hardest save I made was definitely the one where I had to leap for it in OT,” Reynolds said. “It was nerve-wracking in the overtimes.”

All players spoke about the energy coming mainly from No. 20 on the sidelines, Aiden Herrara.

“I encouraged the boys to play disciplined soccer and play smart,” Herrara, who re-injured an ankle, said.

The Red Raiders opened post-season play with a 4-0 win over Hononegah.