Loprieno lifts Huntley past Cary-Grove
Kris Grabner’s message to his team at halftime was to make sure Delaney Loprieno got the ball more during the final 40 minutes.
Huntley’s girls soccer team certainly took to heart Grabner’s suggestion.
Scoring 2 goals in the second half, Loprieno helped the Red Raiders push past stubborn Cary-Grove 3-1 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action at Cary’s Al Bohrer Field Thursday night.
“Delaney is a dynamic player and we wanted to give her more touches in the second half,” said Grabner. “Both Delaney’s goals were key for us. She had a breakout game for us.”
Loprieno was just happy to help the Red Raiders (11-1-1, 6-0) win.
“Aimee (Wronski) gave me a perfect touch on the first goal and Rachel (Chapuis) played a perfect through ball on the second goal,” said Loprieno. “At halftime coach wanted us to go to the ball better and want it more. I really look up to our seniors. They are great leaders.”
After a scoreless first half, Loprieno got the Red Raiders on the scoreboard with a goal off an assist by Wronski with 5:35 elapsed in the second half.
The upset-minded Trojans (9-7-1, 6-3) knotted the score at 1-1 when Korey Kronforst broke through the Huntley defense and scored unassisted with 20:04 left in the match.
The Red Raiders didn’t waste time in seizing control of the game when Loprieno scored 26 seconds after Kronforst’s goal on an assist by Chapuis to make the score 2-1 with 19:36 left In the match.
Cary-Grove had a chance to tie the score with 16:35 left in the match when Jae Jay Usab’s direct kick hit the post.
Wronski scored an insurance goal for Huntley with 13:36 left in the match.
“We always look forward to the Cary-Grove match,” said Wronski. “We have a great rivalry with them and it is always exciting to beat them.”
The Red Raiders played without senior standout Alyse Williams, who has a torn meniscus. She is expected back for the Red Raiders for postseason play.
Despite the loss, Cary-Grove coach Ray Krystal was pleased with his team’s effort.
“The girls gave a wonderful effort,” said the Cary-Grove coach. “They played with great desire and we forced Huntley to change their strategy. We played great defense as a team.”