Simon propels Trojans

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CARY – Sophomore midfielder Allie Simon scored only her second goal of the season Tuesday, but it was one of the most important of the year for Cary-Grove’s girls soccer team.

Simon’s rocket from about 75 feet away gave the Trojans a 2-1 lead against McHenry with 29:27 remaining in the game, and that’s the way it ended in C-G’s Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win.

C-G (17-2 overall, 10-0 FVC Valley) finished the regular season undefeated in division play.

McHenry finished 9-10 overall and 3-7 in division play.

“Yes, I was very surprised the shot went in,” Simon said after the game, as her teammates lined up to hug her. “What a great reward for all we’ve worked for this year.”

Simon’s stunning shot from almost exactly halfway between the goal line and midfield caught McHenry sophomore goalkeeper Jill Pohlman by surprise, despite Pohlman’s best effort to reach it. The ball clipped the top right corner of the goal, hitting the goal post and crossbar simultaneously then dropping straight downward.

It rested gently in the goal a split second later – inches across the goal line – much to the jubilation of the Trojans’ sideline.

“This is the first time in my four years here we’ve gone undefeated in conference, so it’s really exciting,” C-G senior Kelli Anderson said.

Simon and Anderson then made sure to give credit to the team’s defense. It is a part of the team many C-G players feel doesn’t get enough credit.

“This is such a big accomplishment,” C-G senior defender Lisa Anderson said. “We shared a conference title last year. We weren’t too thrilled about that.”

The Trojans jumped out to a 1-0 lead Tuesday on a goal by Anderson about 15 minutes into the first half.

It stayed that way until McHenry freshman Molly Machometa did something she has done routinely in 2009 – score on a breakaway. Machometa’s 1-on-1 goal with 2:28 to play in the first half evened the score at 1-1.

McHenry coach Jim Nelson said he wanted to thank his team, especially his seniors, for their efforts this season. It was the final regular-season contest for seniors Emily Page, Jennifer Olsen, Gabby Breisch, Stephanie Crutchfield, Elizabeth Howerton and injured goalkeeper Jenna Carsello.