Huntley notebook:
Injury bug swarms Red Raiders
R&R -- rest and recuperation -- prescribed for several players
By Dave Owen
CRYSTAL LAKE -- There is never a good time for injuries, but quantity has added to the problem for Huntley.
The Red Raiders had five players out of the lineup at the start of Thursday’s 3-1 loss at Crystal Lake South, then defender Irwin Bhathal didn’t play in the second half due to injury.
The good news – two of the sidelined Huntley players were mainly precautionary, and should be back at full strength for the upcoming regional.
“We’ve got two (Angel Sanchez and Travis Walsh) who could have played today, but playoffs are more important right now,” Huntley coach Kris Grabner said. “We have to get them healthy so they’re ready to go full time.”
Lopez and Walsh’s performance Tuesday in a loss to Dundee-Crown was a very healthy sign.
“They both played against D-C the other night,” Grabner said, “and those two actually had monster games – they played incredibly hard and played the whole game. So we’ll get them back. We may end up giving them a rest over the weekend as well to get them fully recovered. And some others are in the same boat.”
Midfielder Gaetano Dipasquale has been sidelined for the last few weeks with injury, but hopes to return as well for the postseason.
Defender Kyle Carberry has the most serious Huntley injury. The junior was on crutches Thursday after recently suffering a torn meniscus in his knee last week.
Busy week
Weather-related postponements earlier this fall will make for a hectic prelude to regionals for Huntley.
Due to two rescheduled games, Saturday’s match with Elgin begins a stretch of four games in six days to close the regular season.
Regional refocus
With ties this season against quality opponents Boylan and Pepsi Showdown runner-up Lyons, Huntley has been much more competitive than its 5-11-4 record suggests.
The Red Raiders hope to show that as the No. 1 seed in their regional, which starts Oct. 21. They open against Rockford East, but having as close to a full roster as possible will be vital.
“I think once we get our guys back (from injury), we’re playing good soccer,” Grabner said. “What we did against D-C minus players – we had the energy, we moved off the ball, and played good soccer all the way through.”
A late surge Thursday (Manuel Menjivar’s rebound goal, minutes after an Alessandro Vergara shot off the crossbar) was a highlight at Crystal Lake South, but the Gators’ offense tested Huntley most of the half.
“We have to get better defending,” Grabner said. “Whether your legs are tired or not, you can’t let them goal side and ball side and create opportunities like they did.
“We’ll work on that, and we’ll get more work in the final third because ultimately we have to finish.”
Injury bug swarms Red Raiders
R&R -- rest and recuperation -- prescribed for several players
By Dave Owen
CRYSTAL LAKE -- There is never a good time for injuries, but quantity has added to the problem for Huntley.
The Red Raiders had five players out of the lineup at the start of Thursday’s 3-1 loss at Crystal Lake South, then defender Irwin Bhathal didn’t play in the second half due to injury.
The good news – two of the sidelined Huntley players were mainly precautionary, and should be back at full strength for the upcoming regional.
“We’ve got two (Angel Sanchez and Travis Walsh) who could have played today, but playoffs are more important right now,” Huntley coach Kris Grabner said. “We have to get them healthy so they’re ready to go full time.”
Lopez and Walsh’s performance Tuesday in a loss to Dundee-Crown was a very healthy sign.
“They both played against D-C the other night,” Grabner said, “and those two actually had monster games – they played incredibly hard and played the whole game. So we’ll get them back. We may end up giving them a rest over the weekend as well to get them fully recovered. And some others are in the same boat.”
Midfielder Gaetano Dipasquale has been sidelined for the last few weeks with injury, but hopes to return as well for the postseason.
Defender Kyle Carberry has the most serious Huntley injury. The junior was on crutches Thursday after recently suffering a torn meniscus in his knee last week.
Busy week
Weather-related postponements earlier this fall will make for a hectic prelude to regionals for Huntley.
Due to two rescheduled games, Saturday’s match with Elgin begins a stretch of four games in six days to close the regular season.
Regional refocus
With ties this season against quality opponents Boylan and Pepsi Showdown runner-up Lyons, Huntley has been much more competitive than its 5-11-4 record suggests.
The Red Raiders hope to show that as the No. 1 seed in their regional, which starts Oct. 21. They open against Rockford East, but having as close to a full roster as possible will be vital.
“I think once we get our guys back (from injury), we’re playing good soccer,” Grabner said. “What we did against D-C minus players – we had the energy, we moved off the ball, and played good soccer all the way through.”
A late surge Thursday (Manuel Menjivar’s rebound goal, minutes after an Alessandro Vergara shot off the crossbar) was a highlight at Crystal Lake South, but the Gators’ offense tested Huntley most of the half.
“We have to get better defending,” Grabner said. “Whether your legs are tired or not, you can’t let them goal side and ball side and create opportunities like they did.
“We’ll work on that, and we’ll get more work in the final third because ultimately we have to finish.”