Last-second goal lifts Cary-Grove

The boys soccer battle between the Cary-Grove Trojans and the Jacobs Golden Eagles was decided in the last 10 seconds of the game.

The Trojans (14-2, 5-0) defeated the Golden Eagles 2-1 at Jacobs High School in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division matchup on Thursday. After an extremely physical second half of play, sophomore Kevin Wilde put in the game-winner with just 10 seconds left on the clock with the help of Mike McKune.

“It was all happening so fast,” said Wilde. “McKune played a great ball over the top, and then (Mike) Loke and I were both running toward it. He was running more away from the goal, so I called him off and he left it for me. Then I just had to look up and put it in the net.”

The lone goal for Jacobs was scored in the first half by Mike Mammola, after a nice pass from Kyle Hervdejs. The physical play began in the second half, when two yellow cards were issued to each team within the first five minutes of play. The Trojans were pumped up after that, as McKune set it up for Drew Conner to score their first goal and tie the game at 1 before the eventual last-second goal by Wilde to seal the victory.

“We had a few chances,” said Conner. “We had two chances in the first half and we hit the post. We had to start making runs through their back line to create more opportunities, so I just started making a few runs every once in a while and luckily McKune found me and I hit it over the back line.”

Both teams kept it close the entire time, and Wilde knew that the Golden Eagles were at the top of their game.

“It was a tough game,” said Wilde. “They were really physical and they competed with us going up for every ball, it was a tight game.”

It would seem that the Golden Eagles (8-10,1-4) can’t seem to catch a break, according to head coach Aj Cappello.

“That’s been our season” said Cappello. “We’re always a post or a bounce. We’re a bounce away from being right there with the best teams around.”

It was an emotional night for the Jacobs seniors, as they were recognized before the game for senior night. Senior Matt Taflinger was especially disappointed but knew that he and his teammates would be challenged by the Trojans.

“Just watching the ball move to the midfield,” said Taflinger. “They were playing through us. It’s tough but we kept with them most of the game.”