Jacobs advances to regional final
It was a cold, wet, and physical game at Jacobs High School for the regional semifinal.
The Jacobs Golden Eagles (10-11) defeated the Huntley Red Raiders (11-8-3) by a score of 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance to the regional final on Saturday night at their home field. The lone goal for the Red Raiders came midway through the first half as junior Lucas Baker scored on a penalty kick. Huntley head coach Kris Grabner was especially frustrated that it was the only high point of the game for his team.
“I don't think we ever played soccer today,” said Grabner. “I don't think we played anywhere near what we can. The best team won tonight, there's no question about that.”
Jacobs will meet District 300 rival Dundee-Crown at 7 p.m. Saturday for the right to advance to the Barrington sectional next week.
In Wednesday's second half, Jacobs turned things around with 3 unanswered goals, the first one coming from senior Brad Cleveland just three minutes into the half to make the score even at 1. Erik Soto scored the next goal for Jacobs off a corner kick. It was just a few minutes later that both teams stepped it up physically; so much so that a small brawl ensued between the two teams, caused by an altercation with Huntley's goalkeeper and a pair of Jacobs players. Several yellow cards were issued, and the physical play continued but the fights stopped. Then with just 1:30 left in the game, Kyle Hevrdejs sealed the victory for Jacobs with a goal on a pass from Garrett Fales.
“In a way, to play with the goalie's head, I was (trying to get the goal off a corner kick),” said Soto of his goal. “I didn't think it was going to go in, actually.”
“No joke, we actually talked about that before the game,” said Jacobs head coach AJ Capello. “We talked about (Soto's) corner kicks because even if it doesn't go in the net, on a day like this anything on frame is dangerous.”
Aside from his own goal, Soto was pleased with how well the Golden Eagles' defense buckled down after giving up the goal in the first half.
“The defense really stepped up today,” said Soto. “They really did their job.”
Capello was also very happy to get a big regional win on his team's home turf, and will get set to take on Dundee-Crown on Saturday in the regional finals.
“We lost 3-1 to them earlier in the year,” said Capello. “But if we can come on and play the soccer that I know we can play, it will be a good game.”