Inside boys soccer

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Athlete of the Week

Drew Conner

Cary-Grove, sr.

The Trojans have had so much success lately that singling out one player is difficult, but Conner helps solidify the midfield, distribute and defend for the 7-1 Trojans. Conner had two assists in C-G’s win against Johnsburg on Thursday and three in the Trojans’ win Tuesday against Crystal Lake Central.

Noteworthy

Too many ties: Marengo has tied three of its four Big Northern Conference East Division matches, and while coach Jim McKinnon is glad the Indians aren’t losing, the Indians’ mistakes are frustrating.

In Marengo’s 2-2 draw with Harvard on Thursday, the Indians made a mistake on an offside play for one of the Hornets’ goals. Marengo has scored own goals, and the Indians have lost possession in the final third for too many turnovers.

McKinnon said he thought players were cleaning things up now that the first round of BNC East play is almost finished. Marengo is 5-4-3 overall and 1-0-3 in BNC East play.

“They’re getting it together and working as a team. That was the biggest thing, getting them to be a unit,” McKinnon said. “We were playing as individuals, and we’ve kind of fixed that problem now.”

McKinnon also got to see freshman Weston Shepard’s strong leg in a different way last week. Shepard, who plays on Marengo’s freshman soccer team, kicked the Indians’ walk-off field goal in the football team’s 17-14 win against Byron last weekend.

“He’s a phenomenal player,” Mc-Kinnon said. “He’s going to be very good at the varsity level.”

McKinnon also noted that senior forward Luis Romero and senior midfielder Zack Lundquist are playing very well. It is Lundquist’s first year on varsity, although he has played for various club teams around the area, McKinnon said.

Stingy and explosive: Cary-Grove is out to prove it is not to be messed with. The Trojans have outscored their opponents, 35-0, in their past seven games and are 7-1 this season. The lone loss was to Boylan in the season opener.

“I think they’re doing a great job of staying focused and reminding themselves what it is that makes them successful,” coach Mark Olson said. “It’s been an adjustment period because it’s a little different style of play than we’ve played in the past, but I think we have incredible team chemistry.

“ … I think we’re able to call one another out and mature enough to handle that because we have one another’s best interests at heart. That’s huge.”

The solid play has been scattered throughout the lineup, too. Five different players have scored in the past week and a half. Senior goalkeeper Tom Breen has allowed only three goals this year.

Free kicks: Crystal Lake South senior forward Charlie Oliver and Harvard senior forward Nathan Baldwin both have 17 goals through Thursday. … Woodstock North coach Brandon Ayers received a red card at Tuesday’s game against McHenry, meaning he was required to miss the Thunder’s game against Prairie Ridge. … This is Huntley’s best start to the soccer season in program history. The Red Raiders are 6-2-2 overall.

This week’s top games

Burlington Central at Marengo, 10 a.m. today

See if McKinnon can get his first win against the Rockets in a BNC East match.

Jacobs and Crystal Lake South at Hononegah Invite, 8:30 a.m. today

South won the Indian Cup last year.

Dundee-Crown at Huntley,

4:30 p.m. Tuesday

This begins Fox Valley Conference Valley Division play for both teams.

McHenry at Jacobs,

6:30 p.m. Tuesday

The Warriors and Golden Eagles have their first FVC Valley Division matches of the season, and this one should be a showdown.

Crystal Lake South at Huntley, 4:30 p.m. Thursday

The Gators and Raiders always play close FVC Valley matches.

Johnsburg at Hampshire,

4:30 p.m. Thursday

The Whip-Purs have had a tough start this year, but don’t count them out of the FVC Fox Division race.

SEnD Maureen Lynch
mlynch@shawmedia.com
Twitter @nwh_molynch