C-G seniors skip pomp, fall short in final

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ROCKFORD – Saturday afternoon, most Cary-Grove seniors walked in a graduation ceremony to receive their diplomas.

But early in the morning, before they boarded the bus to play Barrington for a Class 3A Boylan Sectional title, five senior girls soccer players had a private graduation ceremony during which C-G principal Jay Sargeant handed the players their diplomas and said a few inspirational words.

Instead of caps and gowns, the girls wore jerseys and cleats, and despite a 2-1 loss to the Fillies that ended the Trojans’ season and the seniors’ careers, there weren’t any regrets.

“I needed to be here for my team,” said senior midfielder Brittany Kroening, “and we gave them a good game.”

C-G coach Ray Krystal had told the seniors that they could choose, without judgment, whether they’d like to play in Saturday’s sectional final or walk during graduation, knowing the choice might not be easy.

All but one senior player opted to spend Saturday with the soccer team – a symbol of the dedication that propelled C-G from a 4-6 record to start the season to the sectional final.

“I told them that teams are important, but family is their first team,” Krystal said. “The decision was theirs to make without any repercussions. I think they needed to make a choice that was right for them.”

Kroening especially seemed to have made a wise choice.

The Trojans (15-8) battled for their opportunities, and Kroening created a masterful one, answering the Fillies’ earlier goal to tie the score at 1 with 3:45 left in the first half.

Sophomore Korey Kronforst headed a pass to Kroening, and she split three defenders to launch the ball high into the net.

“I almost took another touch, but I was like, ‘Oh, I have to shoot it,’” Kroening said. “I was hoping, praying, it [went in].”

Barrington (24-2-3) scored the go-ahead goal less than 1 minute into the second half. Senior midfielder Caroline Condon saw space at the top of the box and maneuvered around two C-G defenders to put Barrington up, 2-1.

C-G created other opportunities, but with 20 minutes to go Barrington dropped most of its players back on defense, and the tactic squashed much of what the Trojans wanted to do.

“We were still able to create some of the attacks ... but just not with the finish,” Krystal said.