Guiney, Huskies hand Waubonsie second loss

Naperville North's Rycke Guiney reminded Waubonsie Valley of one of soccer's great lessons at the end of the Huskies' 2-1 win on Friday.

Never quit on a play.

With nine minutes left in a 1-1 tie, Guiney pulled a ball back from the end line and fired in the game-winner from a tough angle as the Warriors' defenders relaxed on the play, apparently believing the play was dead.

"They thought the ball went out," Guiney said. "You have to play to the whistle. But I was so nervous. I thought I was going to shank it."

"Great shot by Rycke," said Huskies coach Brent Terada.

The Huskies (7-1-2) played hard throughout against the Warriors (5-2), with freshman Ellie Flessner filling in between the pipes for injured starting goalkeeper Lailaa Mahmud and making some big saves against the two-time defending state champs.

With Jessica Arabia and Adrienne Schertz fighting the good fight at midfield and Haley Krentz and Jessica Kodiak playing well up top, the Huskies showed once again that they have players in the attack who can get it done.

"We come out with heart, and this year we've been able to keep possession," Arabia said. "The mids are checking, the forwards are checking, and the defenders are looking for our feet."

Each team put six shots on net in the first half, but the Huskies earned a 5-1 edge in balls put directly on frame. Ten minutes before halftime, Krentz put her squad up 1-0 when she broke away from midfield, ran down a through ball and scored from 14 yards out.

Waubonsie came out hard in the second half, keeping the ball on Naperville North's half of midfield and showing stretches of the play that has made them the state's best team over the past two seasons.

Waubonsie's Kiki McClellan hit a post in the 46th minute before the Warriors tied the game in the 60th on a Bri Rodriguez corner kick that Rachel Bostick headed home near the goalmouth.

After Guiney's goal Krentz hammered a ball from point-blank range that Warriors keeper Claire Hanold snared, and the Huskies held on for the win.

"We played well and were able to capitalize on the opportunities that we had," Terada said. "But that's what you have to do against a team that's this good."

The Warriors lost for only the second time in their last 66 games over three seasons.

"We have to play all 80 minutes," Bostick said. "We played hard in the second half except for 10 seconds, but you can't let up for even 10 seconds. It's just something that we have to fix."

"This isn't Waubonsie soccer right now - not even close. But I think as the season goes along you'll see us get back to where we need to be."