Huntley foils Jacobs' plan in 3-0 regional win
The plan enacted by the fifth-seeded Jacobs girls soccer team to upset top-seed Huntley paid dividends through 30 minutes of Monday's Class 3A regional semifinal at Crystal Lake South.
The idea was to keep the powerful Red Raiders scoreless through halftime, then use the wind to its advantage in the second half. Jacobs coach Jim Dzialo kept seven players back throughout the first 40 minutes, but skilled Huntley put the plan awry with 2 goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half en route to a 3-0 victory.
The 18th shutout of the season for the Red Raiders (22-1-1) allowed them to advance to Saturday's regional title game at 11 a.m. against the winner of today's match between No. 2 Cary-Grove and No. 3 CL South.
"I had a good feeling they would sit in against the wind," Huntley coach Kris Grabner said. "It was a matter of us trying to settle down and trying to get our opportunities. That's tough to do when they're playing seven back. It was a matter of being patient and working the ball. Fortunately, we got a couple of steps and things worked out for us."
The first step belonged to sophomore Emily Konior. In the attacking third of the field, Konior took a throw-in from Rachel Chapius that was headed for the end line and crossed it with her left foot toward the near post. A Jacobs defender couldn't clear the attempt cleanly, and the ball squirted to junior Corinne Wronski. She buried an unobstructed shot high to the inside the far post to make it 1-0 Huntley with 9:43 left in the first half.
Huntley next scored off a direct kick with 1:53 remaining in the half. After a Jacobs defender was whistled for a dangerous play, sophomore Bre Burry sent the ball deep into the penalty area over everyone but Chapius, who headed the ball down for a 2-0 lead.
"That was nice," said Chapius, who plays center defense. "(Burry) usually places the ball really well. I called it and it was right there. It was wide open. I saw the opening, went right where the ball was and it went in."
Burry notched a second assist on a well-placed corner kick. Ten minutes into the second half she floated the ball toward the far post, where senior midfielder Lauren Opolony headed it down for a 3-0 lead.
"I was just looking for the far post, and I know my teammates are going to get on the end of it," Burry said.
Jacobs (10-11-2) had its chances. Playing with an attack mentality in the second half, the Golden Eagles sent 2 shots wide of posts by a foot. With 1:53 left in the match, senior Emily Preis split two Huntley defenders in the penalty area, but charging Huntley goalkeeper Sara Hoffman (4 saves) deflected the point-blank shot.
"I took the ball, cut it and tried to shoot, but their keeper is very good," Preis said. "They have a very strong defense, and (Hoffman) is amazing. It's always tough playing against them."