Jacobs-Huntley meeting is
quest for success ... and offense
By Steve Nemeth
Neither Huntley or Jacobs have had the kind of season they hoped for, but that doesn't make Thursday's 6:30 pm Valley Division meeting any less important for the two Fox Valley Conference schools.
Host Jacobs – 3-11-1 overall and 0-1 in league action – has the first of four home dates for its last six regular season contests in order to gain momentum for the state playoffs.
The visiting Red Raiders – 2-7-4 – are just starting FVC Valley play. A win would end a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and bolster their confidence for a conference run.
Huntley could also adopt a new nickname as the “Road Warriors,” having played 11-of-13 games on the road thus far, 10 of which involved trips of more than an hour.
“If we find a way to beat Jacobs, we'll get to experience having three home games in a row,” Red Raider coach Kris Grabner noted.
Unfortunately for both squads, the location of games hasn't been as big an issue as simply scoring goals. Jacobs has been outscored 30-14 with 6-of-11 losses shutouts. On the plus side, two of the Eagles' three wins are clean sheets.
“We simply have to find ways to finish our chances while limiting our mistakes and the opportunities our opponents get,” coach A.J. Cappello said.
Grabner essentially echoes those thoughts -- Huntley has five shutout losses in addition to a pair of scoreless draws. Both Red Raider wins were by shutout.
“We really need to take care of what we can control; eliminate the silly mistakes and be more fluid in the final third of the field,” Grabner said.
All but one of the goal scorers from last year's 7-0 win over Jacobs is gone. Grabner admits that was an atypical outing.
In 2012, the Raiders rallied for a 3-2 win while 2011 saw Huntley pull out a 2-1 victory only to lose to the Golden Eagles 3-1 in that year's regional opener.
“It's always an emotional game. Two years ago at their place, we were down two and scored three unanswered to win,” Grabner recalled. “We should see a strong defensive battle, but the team that produces at the offensive end will end up on top.”
quest for success ... and offense
By Steve Nemeth
Neither Huntley or Jacobs have had the kind of season they hoped for, but that doesn't make Thursday's 6:30 pm Valley Division meeting any less important for the two Fox Valley Conference schools.
Host Jacobs – 3-11-1 overall and 0-1 in league action – has the first of four home dates for its last six regular season contests in order to gain momentum for the state playoffs.
The visiting Red Raiders – 2-7-4 – are just starting FVC Valley play. A win would end a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and bolster their confidence for a conference run.
Huntley could also adopt a new nickname as the “Road Warriors,” having played 11-of-13 games on the road thus far, 10 of which involved trips of more than an hour.
“If we find a way to beat Jacobs, we'll get to experience having three home games in a row,” Red Raider coach Kris Grabner noted.
Unfortunately for both squads, the location of games hasn't been as big an issue as simply scoring goals. Jacobs has been outscored 30-14 with 6-of-11 losses shutouts. On the plus side, two of the Eagles' three wins are clean sheets.
“We simply have to find ways to finish our chances while limiting our mistakes and the opportunities our opponents get,” coach A.J. Cappello said.
Grabner essentially echoes those thoughts -- Huntley has five shutout losses in addition to a pair of scoreless draws. Both Red Raider wins were by shutout.
“We really need to take care of what we can control; eliminate the silly mistakes and be more fluid in the final third of the field,” Grabner said.
All but one of the goal scorers from last year's 7-0 win over Jacobs is gone. Grabner admits that was an atypical outing.
In 2012, the Raiders rallied for a 3-2 win while 2011 saw Huntley pull out a 2-1 victory only to lose to the Golden Eagles 3-1 in that year's regional opener.
“It's always an emotional game. Two years ago at their place, we were down two and scored three unanswered to win,” Grabner recalled. “We should see a strong defensive battle, but the team that produces at the offensive end will end up on top.”