Cary-Grove blanks Huntley

There was a constant drizzle and mist with winds gusty over 50 miles an hour.

Generally, it was a lousy night to play soccer.

Nobody told that to the senior-laden Cary-Grove Trojans.

The adverse weather conditions certainly didn’t bother the high octane Trojan offensive attack.

Powered by 3 first-half goals, Cary-Grove knocked off pesky Huntley 3-0 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division play at Cary-Grove’s Al Bohrer Field Thursday night.

“It doesn’t matter what the weather conditions are these groups of kids are always ready to play,” said Cary-Grove coach Mark Olson. “We have tremendous senior leadership on this team. We started a little slow, but these kids settled themselves. They are coaches on the field. We did a good job of moving without the ball. This is a very dynamic group of players and a very mature group.”

Cary-Grove (12-2, 3-0), which peppered Huntley goalkeeper Austen Emery with 13 shots on goal, 9 in the first half, scored on a goal by Kevin Wilde off a perfectly placed pass from Mike McKune with 31:44 left in the first half.

The Trojans had an opportunity to gain a 2-goal advantage on a penalty kick by Zac Solarte with 13:26 left before intermission. Solarte rifled a shot on goal, but Emery dove and pushed the over the net completing a spectacular save.

McKune and Eric Wilde scored the Trojans’ other 2 goals in the half to give the home team a 3-goal advantage after 40 minutes.

“We came out focused and ready to play,” said McKune. “We have so many kids who can score. I just try to help out the team. It is a team effort.”

Emery kept the Red Raiders (9-4-3, 1-2) close with 7 saves.

“Austen played very well,” said Huntley coach Kris Grabner. “He made some great saves and kept us close. I thought even in the first half when we gave up 3 goals we executed our game plan on defense. Playing defense in 50 mile an hour winds isn’t easy and we did a good job in the conditions. Cary-Grove did a good job of creating chances for themselves. They are a good soccer team.”

Huntley only mustered 2 shots on Cary-Grove goalie Tom Breen, with the senior keeper making 1 save.