Huntley 9, Crystal Lake South 0

Not only is Huntley's girls soccer record still unblemished, the Red Raiders now have a championship to go with it.

At 18-0 overall, Huntley improved to 9-0 in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division to clinch the championship title with a 2-0 shutout over Crystal Lake Central Thursday, the team's 15th shutout of the season.

Having shared the title with Crystal Lake Central last year, it was only appropriate that the Red Raiders would clinch with a win against them Tigers in 2008 to gain the title outright.

"Central is a much better team than they are given credit for," said Huntley coach Kris Grabner. "To go into a game like this, evenly matched and get the win gives us great momentum."

Freshman forward Aimee Wronski got the Red Raiders on top with a first-half goal assisted by Alyse Williams. Ashley Williams knocked in an insurance goal later in the game off a Megan Hamm pass.

"Our attack looked really good, and our defense shut down one of the best players in the area in Kristen Benson," Grabner said. "The overall effort was outstanding."

Sharing time in the net, Sarah Hoffman and Kaytlyn Owens each recorded single saves for Huntley.

Cary-Grove 1, CL South 0: The battle between two-time defending Fox Valley Conference Valley Division champion Crystal Lake South and top challenger Cary-Grove figured to be interesting.

And Thursday's match lived up to its billing.

The two teams went the entire regulation and two overtimes without finding the net, but Cary-Grove out-kicked the visitors 4-2 in the shootout to win the opening round 1-0.

Senior Kelsey Passaglia, junior Kelli Anderson, and junior Sally Tashjian opened the shootout each making their free kicks to give the Trojans a 3-2 boost, and when Liz Bart converted the final shot it nailed down the victory for Cary-Grove.

"We wanted to shoot first," said Passaglia of the shootout. "To put the pressure on Crystal Lake South, we just went in confident and it helped us."

Crystal Lake South keeper Jessica Taldone stopped Cary-Grove fourth shot, but Trojans keeper Alex Holland answered with a sliding stop to set up Bart's match clincher.

"My favorite part of goalkeeping is one-and-one situations," said Holland, whose diving stop in the second overtime repelled a Gators potential game-winner. "I like going off the line because it reduces the angle."

Cary-Grove controlled most of the final 40 minutes of regulation as the Trojans had numerous attempts on the Gators' goal, including 3 shots by Anderson.

"We were connecting but we couldn't put the ball in the back of the net," said Anderson, "We had our chances we just couldn't put them away, but we went in confident for the shootout."

Cary-Grove (13-1, 7-0) started the season by averaging almost 5 goals a game, but the Trojans showed they can win the close matches too after defeating Jacobs 2-0 on Wednesday, then coming back to win Thursday's shootout.

"We're coming up against more competitive teams," said Passaglia of the back-to-back victories. "We go into every match with confidence and a positive attitude."

"Our game against Jacobs was like a wake up call," added Holland, "it just shows we can't go out and walk all over other teams…we have to work."

Crystal Lake South (10-6, 6-1) depended on Taldone's skills in the goal the final 40 minutes of regulation, and then the Gators showed a bit of life offensively in the two overtimes but it was little too late.

"It was everything we anticipated it to be," said CL South coach Anne Santucci, "This isn't end because we see them again, but they are everything we expected them to be, they're a good team."

And the Gators don't have to wait too long for the rematch as the two teams meet again next Wednesday in Crystal Lake.

-- Michael Eaken

Chicago Christian 1, Westminster Christian 0: Scoring on a penalty kick with one minute left to play, Chicago Christian beat Westminster Christian (1-11-1) in the Private School League Tournament opener. Rachel Farquhar collected 12 saves in goal for the Warriors.

Elgin Academy 4, Keith School 0: With a Lauren Steimle hat trick, Elgin Academy (6-7) sailed to this nonconference victory. Allison Clark added the fourth goal as well as 2 assists, and Kate Burnham also had 2 assists. Bianca Swegler (2 saves) and Alyssa Pena (2 saves) shared time in goal for the Hilltoppers.

Prairie Ridge 3, Grayslake Central 1: The Wolves (9-6-2,6-2) defeated Grayslake Central for a Fox Valley (Fox) victory. Maggie Olsen, Megan Biner and Jackie Schwartz scored for PR. Kyli Humm was in the net for the Wolves and had 10 saves.

Dundee-Crown 2, Woodstock 0: With a pair of goals from Licia Keyes assisted by Beth Nowicke and Kailyn Quinn respectively, Dundee-Crown (5-10-3, 3-5) collected this Fox Valley (Valley) win. Deanna Libricz was in the Charger net and tallied 6 saves.

Jacobs 1, McHenry 0: Maria Tamburino scored the lone goal of this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division game during the second overtime (in the 96th minute) to lift Jacobs (7-12, 5-3) past McHenry. Jessica Perrone was credited with the assist. In goal, Caitie Quitschau racked up 6 saves to preserve the shutout.

Waubonsie Valley 6, Larkin 0: Peppered by shots throughout this Upstate Eight Conference game, Anna Goodlove finished with 12 saves while in goal for Larkin (5-10-3, 2-5-1).

St. Charles East 2, Bartlett 1: Becca Cronin scored the lone goal for the Hawks (5-4-2, 4-4-1) in this Upstate Eight loss. Erin Zaidman was in goal collecting 10 saves for the Hawks.