Girls soccer: Burlington Central shuts out Huntley

Sydney Pryor was attempting to get a quality shot on goal.

Pryor got more than she bargained for as her 35-yard shot carried over the outstretched arms of Huntley goalie Abbey Brown with 2:34 remaining in the first half.

Pryor's goal helped lift Burlington Central to a 2-0 girls soccer victory over Huntley in action at the Huntley Invitational Thursday night.

"I just wanted to get the ball high in the air and on goal," said Pryor. "I wanted to make sure if the goalie made the save we had a second chance and a rebound opportunity. This was a good win for us against a quality Huntley team. Our defense played very well. We didn't give them many shots on goal."

Central coach Jess Arneson realizes Pryor is capable of scoring goals from anywhere on the field.

"Sydney is a very offensive player," said the Central. "She is always looking to score. Every time she takes a shot on goal her mindset is to score. I wasn't sure her shot would hold up in the wind. That goal was huge before the half. We want to emphasize playing well in the first 10 minutes of the half and the last 10 minutes. ''

The Rockets (3-1), who outshot Huntley 10-1, added an insurance goal with 25:55 left in the contest on a tally by Elizabeth Gousios off an assist from Anna McMahon.

Arenson utilized Erin Rafferty in goal in the first half and Abbi Ciganek was the keeper in the second half.

"I really liked our defense tonight," said Arneson. "We contested their passes and didn't give them much room to operate. It was our best defensive effort of the season."

The Red Raiders' (2-1-1) best opportunity to score came with 15:30 left in the contest.

Hannah Scholer blasted a 25-yard direct kick but Ciganek was able to make the save to preserve the shutout.

Brown kept the Red Raiders within striking distance with 9 saves.

"Abbey had a very good game," said Huntley coach Kris Grabner. "She made some excellent saves. They (the Rockets) have a lot of very good offensive players. They are a very good team and we want to test ourselves in this tournament with good competition. We are struggling offensively early in the season because we don't have the big-time offensive players like we have had in the past. ''