Huntley notches 9th straight regional title

In a blink of an eye, the complexion of Friday's Class 3A Jacobs regional championship girls soccer game between top-seeded Huntley and second seed Crystal Lake South changed dramatically.

With the score tied 1-1 late in the first half, the Red Raiders scored 2 goals in a 1 minute and 26 second span.

The momentum from the scoring spree lifted the Raiders to their ninth consecutive regional title with a 4-1 win over the Gators.

"With the score 1-1 I thought it was going to be one of those tight games that went down to the final minute like we had earlier in the year," said Huntley coach Kris Grabner. "The girls really executed and finished and we had some good momentum going into halftime. Winning a regional always feels good and we get to play at home for the sectionals."

Huntley (17-3) advances to its own sectional where it will play Harlem Tuesday at 5 p.m. Harlem claimed its own regional crown with a 2-1 victory over Rockton Honenegah Friday.

Crystal Lake South finishes 14-7-2.

The crucial goals by Huntley to break the 1-1 deadlock were scored by Taryn Jakubowski, assisted by Erin Gaitsch, and Deanna Hecht off a pass from Kaitlin Constantino.

Huntley led 3-1 at halftime.

The Raiders added an insurance goal in the second half on a header by Brenna Keegan off assists from Emily Lopez and Victoria Padal with 22:20 left in the match.

The Red Raiders' first goal of the evening by Alyssa Kaufman came off a long cross-field pass from Hecht with 4:10 elapsed in the game.

"I looked up and the pass was there," said Kaufman. "It was a terrific pass by Deanna. All I had to do was control it and kick it in the goal.

"We had a rough few minutes to start the game but the two goals at the end of the half were huge. This is my third regional title and it feels great. Now we get to play at home on the turf field. I am really looking forward to that."

Unassisted, Kelly Gaede scored the Gators' lone goal of the night to tie the game with 26:17 left before halftime.

"We were playing great soccer and playing right with a very good Huntley team," said Crystal Lake South coach Jay Mueller. "Those goals in a short period changed the game."