Huntley prevails in regional opener
Veteran Huntley girls soccer coach Kris Grabner realizes the difference between regular season and postseason contests.
A loss and your season is over.
In the end, Grabner's top-seeded Red Raiders were able to overcome nerves and post a win over pesky fourth-seeded Jacobs 4-1 in semifinal action of the Class 3A Jacobs regional Tuesday in Algonquin.
"We knew Jacobs would fight hard and play us tough," said Grabner. "As the top seed expectations are high and you try to imitate the pressures of the postseason but it is a different experience once the game starts."
The Red Raiders (16-3) will play second-seeded Crystal Lake South (14-6-2) in the title game Friday at 5 p.m. The Gators advanced to the championship game with a 5-1 win over Dundee-Crown.
Grabner's stars came to play in the regional opener.
Deanna Hecht, who scored with only 37 seconds elapsed in the match and Creighton-bound Taryn Jakubowski scored 2 goals each.
Hecht's early goal came off an assist from Jakubowksi to give Huntley a 1-0 advantage.
"With expectations comes some pressure," said Hecht. "It was nice to get the early lead and play with the lead. It is always nice to win the first match of the regionals."
Jacobs (5-15-1) was not intimidated by the Raiders and knotted the score on an unassisted goal by Mikaela Thomas with 6:35 left before intermission.
The key score in the game came by on an unassisted goal by Jakubowksi with 2:05 left in the first half.
The talented junior dribbled through the Golden Eagles' defense and blasted a shot past Jacobs goalkeeper Liz Foster to give Huntley a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Jakubowski, off an assist by Alyssa Kaufman, and Hecht (unassisted) each scored as the Raiders netted 2 unanswered goals in the second half.
"Jacobs played us tough but we were able to play our game and get the win," said Jakubowski. "It was a physical, pushy game but we were able to get through this game. The first regional game is always tough."
Huntley, which outshot Jacobs 15-4, got a solid effort in the net by keeper Paige Renkosik, who registered 6 saves. Foster collected 9 saves for Jacobs.
"Our girls really fought hard," said Jacobs coach Stephanie Schuck. 'We had a lack of communication at times. Huntley is a good team that is very aggressive."