WHEATFIELD | Kankakee Valley girls soccer coach John Hufnagel wasn’t in a desperation mode, but when junior striker Haleigh Wenglarz couldn’t play Monday night against visiting Hobart, he made an easy decision.
Hufnagel moved star defenseman Jen Sobierajski up to the front, and the senior delivered.
Sobierajski scored two of the game’s first three goals and sparked Times No. 6 K.V. to a 5-1 win over Northwest Crossroads Conference foe Hobart.
Sobierajski’s second goal put the Kougars (2-2-1, 0-1) up 3-0 at the 28:21 mark.
“It’s fun,” she said. “It’s a big difference from playing in the back. I used to play up when I was young, but I like the back better.
“But I like being able to go up and get a couple goals every now and then.”
Sobierajski did just that and added an assist in the second half on Brianna Zimmerman’s second goal of the night that put the Kougars in control at 4-1 at the 51:56 mark.
“Wenglarz pulls up sick today with an infection and can’t go, so Jenny gets her shot to shine,” Hufnagel said.
With the comfortable lead, Sobierajski moved back to defense.
“If we would’ve left her up there, she would’ve scored three or four (goals),” Hufnagel said. “She’s an amazing player and a super kid.”
Zimmerman is a freshman who finished with two goals, while sophomore Kara Gouwens also found the back of the net.
Hobart (2-4, 0-2) got a goal from freshman Haley Burbridge early in the second half when she rocketed in a loose ball in front of the net.
The Brickies have a young team with defender Kelly McGuire the only senior with a lot of experience. Coach Colleen Newell said she has a strong freshman class.
“We’re still young and inexperienced, but the future looks bright for them,” she said. “If they stick with it, we’ll be all right.”
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