Girls soccer: Owens steps up for Huntley in win over Cary-Grove

When you think of the Huntley girls soccer team the names of Taryn Jakubowski and Alyssa Kaufman are mentioned prominently.

You can add junior Tayah Owens to that list.

Owens tallied 2 goals with an assist to propel the Red Raiders to a 4-1 victory over Cary-Grove in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action in Cary Thursday night.

"I got some great passes which gave me good scoring chances," said Owens. "It was a very physical game. Cary-Grove always plays us tough. We are playing well as a team and with a lot of confidence."

Owens ensured the Red Raiders (13-2-1, 2-0) got off to a lead with a goal off a perfect pass from Brianna Wilder with only 3:17 elapsed in the match.

Huntley extended its lead to 2-0 on a goal from Brenna Keegan on an assist by Owens at the 27:31 mark of the first half.

"I really liked the energy and fire we had to start the game," said Huntley coach Kris Grabner. "We won the 50-50 balls and got some good scoring chances."

The host Trojans (6-4-1, 1-2), who were outshot 9-1 in the first half, cut the Red Raiders' deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Payton Emond assisted from Genna Sobieszczyk with 27:13 left in the match.

Cary-Grove couldn't get any closer. Huntley added 2 insurance goals, one by Owens off a pass by Creighton-bound Taryn Jakubowski and the final goal of the night for the Raiders was by freshman Braidy Ceh on an assist by Ally Sunter.

"Cary-Grove really controlled the first 15 to 18 minutes of the second half," said Grabner. "They really out-hustled us. It was nice to get the insurance goals and get a little bit of a lead."

Huntley, which outshot Cary-Grove 13-4, received 3 saves from senior goalkeeper Paige Renkosik.

Trojan goalie Miranda Malone kept the game close with 9 saves.

"Huntley is a very good team and got off to a great start and really outplayed us in the first half," said Cary-Grove coach Ray Krystal. "We dug ourselves a hole. But the kids really stuck with it and cut the lead to 2-1. We got back in the game. With this team, it is always a team effort and this team always supports each other. We always play hard. I am very proud of this team."