It is a sunny fall afternoon, and a group of boys clad in white Adidas jerseys scurry across a field at the McHenry West Campus. Despite being behind 2-0 in a pitched battle against division opponent McHenry, members of the Huntley boys soccer team maintain composure.

As time trickles away, so does hope for a win. Then, with a quick move to steal the ball away from a larger McHenry defender, sophomore Niko Mihalopoulos drives across the middle of the field and zips a pass to fellow sophomore Scott Dorvilier. Dorvilier cuts across the end of the field, pauses for a split second, and then rockets the ball past a hapless McHenry goalkeeper for a late goal.

Although the team would not be able to overcome the late deficit, they would take some comfort in their resilience in the near-comeback. It has been this resilience, said senior captain Kareem Rassas, that has lead this team to become what parents, coaches, and coaches alike have called “the best team ever” for boys soccer at Huntley High School.

“I think we will leave a legacy of playing as hard as we can,” said Rassas. “No matter who we’re playing, how much time is left, or what the score is.”

Resilience, however, has not been the only key to success. The team has also put in an abundance of practice and training.

After preparing for the upcoming season by playing in a senior-organized summer league, players participated in a two-and-a-half week summer training camp, where temperatures regularly reached into the nineties and players were pushed to the limits of their athletic abilities.

Following the conclusion of training camp and the beginning of school, the team began its intense practice schedule. During the school year, the team practices on non-game days for over two-and-a-half hours, three days a week.

“Long practices impact us in a good way,” said Mihalopoulos. “They give us time to focus and work on things we need to improve on for upcoming games.”

In addition to indomitable team spirit and dedicated training, the team has also rallied behind the leadership of seven core seniors. On top of organizing a summer league, the seniors have provided advice and guidance for their younger teammates.

“The seniors are definitely leaving behind a strong tradition,” said nine-year Head Coach Kris Grabner. “They are leaving behind some expectations for next year’s group.”

While the team has, for the most part, been a feel-good story for fans, there have been low points. Three losses in particular against Wauconda, Hampshire, and McHenry in which Huntley outshot their opponents 15-2, 28-6, and 22-3 respectively, continue to loom in the minds of players and Grabner. The team also skidded in the final weeks of the regular season, finishing 2-2 in their last four games and coming to rest at fourth place in the Valley Division.

Despite an inconsistent conclusion to the regular season, the team continues to rally around the spirit of resilience heading into playoffs. Huntley began a quest for its season-long goal of a regional championship when it kicked off versus rival Jacobs on Wednesday at the Jacobs regional.

“Our goal from the get-go has been to win our first regional for boys soccer,” said Kareem Rassas. “And it will all begin on the nineteenth versus Jacobs.”

No matter the outcome of the playoffs, the team hopes to build on this season’s success. Behind the play of 16 players slated to return to the team next season along with up-and-coming JV players such as sophomore Matt Kitsis, the team will look to make more noise in their division.

“While we have good players, it’s been about teamwork,” said Grabner. “There is a good group behind the seniors.”