Kronforst’s goal, assist carry C-G

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ALGONQUIN – For the second game in a row, sophomore Korey Kronforst scored the game-winning goal for the Cary-Grove girls soccer team.

This time, she helped give the second-seeded Trojans a 2-0 victory against top-seeded Crystal Lake South in the IHSA Class 3A Jacobs Regional final.

Kronforst’s goal with 13:52 remaining in the first half was all the offense the Trojans needed and was C-G’s only shot on goal in the half. After racing in on a breakaway, she baited South junior goalkeeper Elizabeth Quinn to the left side of the goal, then buried a shot low to the right side that gave the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

“I think scoring that first goal was really important; it pumped us up,” Kronforst said. “We knew after we scored the first goal, they’d come out even stronger, though.”

Although C-G (14-7) was outshot, 4-2, in the second half, senior Brittany Kroening gave the Trojans a 2-0 lead with about 24 minutes left in the game after a gorgeous pass from Kronforst in traffic near the middle of the box. After losing to South twice during the regular season, Kroening said this win was some payback.

“Yeah, it was (a little bit of revenge), because we wanted to come back in this game and show [South] what we’re made of,” Kronforst said.

Trojans coach Ray Krystal said his team has, and will continue to use what he calls “a team-oriented style” of play when it plays in the Boylan Sectional semifinal Tuesday.

“We stayed tight with them and didn’t give them the opportunities we did the other games we lost against them,” Krystal said. “It’s obviously difficult to beat a team three times in one season. We stayed committed to our style and philosophy of play tonight.”

South coach Brian Allen said he was proud of his team far beyond its 17-8-2 record.

“That was the second-most wins we’ve had in school history this season,” Allen said.

“I’m most proud of the legacy these girls established here and the core values our players and seniors have left behind that will set the standard for future teams – it was about more than just soccer to these girls.”