Glenbard East upsets Andrew in PKs
Rams rally late, win thriller to advance to Windy City semis
By Chris Walker
LOMBARD – Amy Chiero has made numerous wonderful contributions as a four-year starter at Glenbard East, but scoring goals hasn’t been a big one.
The senior certainly has been a huge reason why the Rams have enjoyed great success during her tenure, and she’s definitely delivered a lot of unforgettable assists over the years, but she entered the season with just three goals scored.
She picked up her second one already this spring during Saturday’s Windy City Classic quarterfinal game against no. 7-ranked Andrew with 15:56 remaining to spark the no. 32 Rams to a penalty kick victory.
With the victory, the Rams advanced to Tuesday’s semifinals where they will host Glenbrook South at 4:30 p.m.
“That was a perfect pass from Sophia (Heatley) to Ellie (Shuert) and Ellie headed it perfectly to me,” Chiero, the MVP of the Match, said. “It was such a great sequence, and we felt connected there and played like a real strong team.”
Chiero’s shot clanked off the underside of the crossbar and off of goalkeeper Gabby Sportiello’s hands but maintained most of its mustard to carry onward into the back of the net.
“Once we tied it up I think our defense was stronger,” Chiero said. “It was strong the whole game, but I felt like every single player was then keeping us going toward that win. We weren’t letting them take any shots, and those they did were very few and (goalkeeper) Lisa (Stranski) did a great job of stopping anything. It was a tough battle. We gave it our all and were fortunate enough to come out on top.”
Andrew (2-1-0) applied a lot of offensive pressure throughout the first half with Megan O’Neill, Brandy Muys, Alex Dennis and Megan Nemec all delivering scoring threats.
Nemec, a four-year player who earned all-state honors and was named the Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division Player of the Year last season while helping the Thunderbolts enjoy an amazing run to fourth place in Class 3A, proved to be quite the nemesis, which was no surprise.
“Props to Andrew,” Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey said. “They’ve got a ton of talent. Nemec is amazing and (sophomore Sam Gountounas) up-top is dangerous and (junior Erin Jaskierski) outside. They have a ton of options.”
Glenbard East (3-0-0) was able to keep Nemec, who has four goals already this year, out of the scoring column, and freshman Sarah Liljestrand was a key reason why. The freshman didn’t flinch from the challenge, but walked away impressed in Nemec’s ability. She also left an impression on her coach and teammates in doing her best to try to frustrate the Loyola recruit who had 13 goals and 9 assists last spring.
“She was really fast, so I couldn’t keep up without my defense also backing me up,” Liljestrand said. “If she beat me, props to my defense. It gives me a bunch of confidence to take 1-v.-1 or just knowing I’ve got some backups there in case I mess up. It’s good to know they’ll be there, and once I get the ball, I’m sending it to my forwards, and I know they’ll do great.”
Gountounas was able to break through for the Thunderbolts as she dribbled herself free before lining a shot just inside the post with 15:12 remaining in the first half.
The Thunderbolts squashed the two serious threats created by the Rams in the first half, both coming from senior Lindsey Novak.
Novak took down a defender and then slipped past another one for a 1-v.-1 chance in the 12th minute, but Sportiello was able to knock the shot away. In the 40th minute, Novak broke free down the sideline and fired toward the far post but her shot rolled just wide left.
“I thought we had a lot of good chances and were on their end the majority of the game so hat was good,” Nemec said. “We just have to keep growing as a team and working out the small little stuff like finishing and getting up and attacking as a team.”
If the Thunderbolts could’ve found the back of the net a second time before the Rams scored what proved to be the the equalizer, they probably would’ve gotten a different result.
“Sometimes the chances you have come back and haunt you during a game,” Nemec said. “But it’s just one game. I think we have a good outlook on the season that’s to come, and we’ll be fine after this.”
Dennis had a decent scoring chance in the 50th minute for Andrew but a defender got in her path.
Nemec displayed some of her Division I skills in the 59th minute, using her quickness to elude a pair of Glenbard East defenders and create an opening to shoot, but her shot went right into the arms of second half freshman goalkeeper Zoe Romano.
“Lisa has been around, and she’s really stepped up,” Overbey said. “And Zoe Romano, our freshman, is very good too. So she’s been pushing Lisa, and that’s probably the best thing to happen to Lisa to have someone pushing her. Those two battle everyday and are also very close and congratulatory to each other.”
For the past few years, Overbey had the stellar Faith Davies taking take of business in net. This year there’s been a transition, but it’s gone well so far.
Maia Zatarski sailed a 20-yard free kick in the 60th minute for the Rams before they finally were able to draw even when Chiero dribbled past a couple defenders to create her shot.
Andrew had a couple opportunities in the final minute or so, including Nemec’s attempt toward the opposite post which skipped just wide right in the 79th minute.
“(Glenbard East) just weathered the storm and got the break they needed and then it’s PKs,” Andrew coach Loren Zolk said. “And it’s a toss-up anyway. When you add PKs onto it, you may as well just go out to lunch and do rock, paper, scissors.”
The Thunderbolts certainly created some chances to extend their 1-0 lead in the second half, but as Zolk explained, they weren’t easy opportunities, and the Rams had a lot to do in making them extremely difficult.
“I felt at the start of the second half we were really getting a lot of chances, but nothing that was really clean,” Zolk said. “We were in the box and in the area, but not getting those opportunities to put it away from the keeper and put it on frame. It just wasn’t there. And their keeper was all over the place and their defense packed in.”
Overbey didn’t feel his girls were at their best Saturday but was most proud that they fought through it and were able to tie the game and pull out the victory.
“We talked about it at halftime on Thursday about how we had our best stuff. Today we didn’t, and I think that’s a mark of what separates a good team from a great team,” he said. “It’s how you survive and how you can scratch out a win when you don’t have your best stuff.”
Neither team was too dangerous in either of the five minute overtimes, although late in both of them the Rams came close. Zatarski poked a shot from the corner with 1:10 left in the first overtime, but Sportiello gathered it in easily.
Novak produced another chance in the final minute of the second overtime. She snuck past a defender for a try, but Sportiello kept her poise -- closing in on 60 career victories certainly helps one’s confidence -- and kicked it away to ultimately send the game to penalty kicks.
“In the first half we didn’t have as much energy as we’ve had in previous games, but at halftime we got hyped up. We started playing more like ourselves in the second half which was really good, and we worked together more,” Chiero said. “Unfortunately it went to PKs, but we’re able to put it away. Lisa got in that girls head. I feel bad for her, because the wind had an impact on that girl’s shot, but we’ll take it.
“It was a big game for us because we knew they got fourth at state last year and were going to be strong team again. We gave it our all. We wanted to beat a team that we knew was good.”
Perhaps forgotten was the fact that Glenbard East beat Andrew 3-0 in this same tournament last year. Yes, indeed, the same Thunderbolts team that went to state.
The Rams have now beaten the Thunderbolts four-straight years, including a dominant 5-1 win the tournament championship in 2017 and a 1-0 decision in 2016. They did not play each other in 2015.
“These early games are great because you get a chance for two really good teams to meet up and get to sort things out to see where you’re at,” Zolk said. “At some point we were going to have to give up a goal, so that was our first. So we got that off our back and still know we’ll be OK.”
Last year after losing its opener at Glenbard East, the Thunderbolts proceeded to win five straight and ultimately played at North Central in June.
“We have that standard to strive for again after last season, and we have the majority of our players back which will benefit us,” Nemec said. “Last year we lost to Glenbard East and still ended up winning the consolation of this tournament so we grew a lot from that point of the season to get to state. Right now we’re looking to keep growing and getting better.”
Maddie Weltin, Novak, Summer Garcia, Chiero and Sam Johnson all converted their PKs for the Rams and in that order.
Nemec, O’Neill, Dennis and Makayala More all made their attempts for Andrew, but after Johnson made it a perfect 5-for-5 for the Rams, Andrew’s final shooter’s shot bounded off the left post to give the Rams the victory.
But if the shot had been a few inches to the right, would Stranski have been able to save it?
“Probably not,” said.Stranski, who returned for the PK session. “If it was just inside, maybe, but I don’t think so.”
One thing’s for sure -- the girls didn’t lose their appetite despite the thrilling PK finish as Chiero, Liljestrand and Stranski were among those Rams still standing around in brisk conditions after the game, munching on donuts.
“I wouldn’t change anything from today,” Stranski said. “It was a good experience. We gave it our all, and we won.”
And she got a donut. That’s a win too.
Starting lineups
Glenbard East
GK Lisa Stranski
D Ruby Campuzano
D Kendall Crackel
D Summer Garcia
D Sam Johnson
MF Amy Chiero
MF Natalie Borcean
MF Maia Zatarski
F Lindsey Novak
F Sarah Liljestand
F Maddie Weltin
Andrew
GK Gabby Sportiello
D Nicole Koppers
D Addison Lim
D Brigid Tunney
MF Alex Dennis
MF Megan O’Neill
MF Brandi Muys
F Erin Jaskierski
F Samantha Koppers
F Makayla More
F Megan Nemec
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Amy Chiero, sr., MF, Glenbard East
Scoring
First half
Andrew – Sam Gountounas (u/a) 15:12
Second half
Glenbard East – Amy Chiero (Ellie Shuert) 15:56
First overtime
None
Second overtime
None
PKs
Glenbard East: Maddie Weltin, Novak, Summer Garcia, Chiero, Sam Johnson
Andrew: Nemec, O’Neill, Dennis, Makayala More, fifth shot hit post
Rams rally late, win thriller to advance to Windy City semis
By Chris Walker
LOMBARD – Amy Chiero has made numerous wonderful contributions as a four-year starter at Glenbard East, but scoring goals hasn’t been a big one.
The senior certainly has been a huge reason why the Rams have enjoyed great success during her tenure, and she’s definitely delivered a lot of unforgettable assists over the years, but she entered the season with just three goals scored.
She picked up her second one already this spring during Saturday’s Windy City Classic quarterfinal game against no. 7-ranked Andrew with 15:56 remaining to spark the no. 32 Rams to a penalty kick victory.
With the victory, the Rams advanced to Tuesday’s semifinals where they will host Glenbrook South at 4:30 p.m.
“That was a perfect pass from Sophia (Heatley) to Ellie (Shuert) and Ellie headed it perfectly to me,” Chiero, the MVP of the Match, said. “It was such a great sequence, and we felt connected there and played like a real strong team.”
Chiero’s shot clanked off the underside of the crossbar and off of goalkeeper Gabby Sportiello’s hands but maintained most of its mustard to carry onward into the back of the net.
“Once we tied it up I think our defense was stronger,” Chiero said. “It was strong the whole game, but I felt like every single player was then keeping us going toward that win. We weren’t letting them take any shots, and those they did were very few and (goalkeeper) Lisa (Stranski) did a great job of stopping anything. It was a tough battle. We gave it our all and were fortunate enough to come out on top.”
Andrew (2-1-0) applied a lot of offensive pressure throughout the first half with Megan O’Neill, Brandy Muys, Alex Dennis and Megan Nemec all delivering scoring threats.
Nemec, a four-year player who earned all-state honors and was named the Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division Player of the Year last season while helping the Thunderbolts enjoy an amazing run to fourth place in Class 3A, proved to be quite the nemesis, which was no surprise.
“Props to Andrew,” Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey said. “They’ve got a ton of talent. Nemec is amazing and (sophomore Sam Gountounas) up-top is dangerous and (junior Erin Jaskierski) outside. They have a ton of options.”
Glenbard East (3-0-0) was able to keep Nemec, who has four goals already this year, out of the scoring column, and freshman Sarah Liljestrand was a key reason why. The freshman didn’t flinch from the challenge, but walked away impressed in Nemec’s ability. She also left an impression on her coach and teammates in doing her best to try to frustrate the Loyola recruit who had 13 goals and 9 assists last spring.
“She was really fast, so I couldn’t keep up without my defense also backing me up,” Liljestrand said. “If she beat me, props to my defense. It gives me a bunch of confidence to take 1-v.-1 or just knowing I’ve got some backups there in case I mess up. It’s good to know they’ll be there, and once I get the ball, I’m sending it to my forwards, and I know they’ll do great.”
Gountounas was able to break through for the Thunderbolts as she dribbled herself free before lining a shot just inside the post with 15:12 remaining in the first half.
The Thunderbolts squashed the two serious threats created by the Rams in the first half, both coming from senior Lindsey Novak.
Novak took down a defender and then slipped past another one for a 1-v.-1 chance in the 12th minute, but Sportiello was able to knock the shot away. In the 40th minute, Novak broke free down the sideline and fired toward the far post but her shot rolled just wide left.
“I thought we had a lot of good chances and were on their end the majority of the game so hat was good,” Nemec said. “We just have to keep growing as a team and working out the small little stuff like finishing and getting up and attacking as a team.”
If the Thunderbolts could’ve found the back of the net a second time before the Rams scored what proved to be the the equalizer, they probably would’ve gotten a different result.
“Sometimes the chances you have come back and haunt you during a game,” Nemec said. “But it’s just one game. I think we have a good outlook on the season that’s to come, and we’ll be fine after this.”
Dennis had a decent scoring chance in the 50th minute for Andrew but a defender got in her path.
Nemec displayed some of her Division I skills in the 59th minute, using her quickness to elude a pair of Glenbard East defenders and create an opening to shoot, but her shot went right into the arms of second half freshman goalkeeper Zoe Romano.
“Lisa has been around, and she’s really stepped up,” Overbey said. “And Zoe Romano, our freshman, is very good too. So she’s been pushing Lisa, and that’s probably the best thing to happen to Lisa to have someone pushing her. Those two battle everyday and are also very close and congratulatory to each other.”
For the past few years, Overbey had the stellar Faith Davies taking take of business in net. This year there’s been a transition, but it’s gone well so far.
Maia Zatarski sailed a 20-yard free kick in the 60th minute for the Rams before they finally were able to draw even when Chiero dribbled past a couple defenders to create her shot.
Andrew had a couple opportunities in the final minute or so, including Nemec’s attempt toward the opposite post which skipped just wide right in the 79th minute.
“(Glenbard East) just weathered the storm and got the break they needed and then it’s PKs,” Andrew coach Loren Zolk said. “And it’s a toss-up anyway. When you add PKs onto it, you may as well just go out to lunch and do rock, paper, scissors.”
The Thunderbolts certainly created some chances to extend their 1-0 lead in the second half, but as Zolk explained, they weren’t easy opportunities, and the Rams had a lot to do in making them extremely difficult.
“I felt at the start of the second half we were really getting a lot of chances, but nothing that was really clean,” Zolk said. “We were in the box and in the area, but not getting those opportunities to put it away from the keeper and put it on frame. It just wasn’t there. And their keeper was all over the place and their defense packed in.”
Overbey didn’t feel his girls were at their best Saturday but was most proud that they fought through it and were able to tie the game and pull out the victory.
“We talked about it at halftime on Thursday about how we had our best stuff. Today we didn’t, and I think that’s a mark of what separates a good team from a great team,” he said. “It’s how you survive and how you can scratch out a win when you don’t have your best stuff.”
Neither team was too dangerous in either of the five minute overtimes, although late in both of them the Rams came close. Zatarski poked a shot from the corner with 1:10 left in the first overtime, but Sportiello gathered it in easily.
Novak produced another chance in the final minute of the second overtime. She snuck past a defender for a try, but Sportiello kept her poise -- closing in on 60 career victories certainly helps one’s confidence -- and kicked it away to ultimately send the game to penalty kicks.
“In the first half we didn’t have as much energy as we’ve had in previous games, but at halftime we got hyped up. We started playing more like ourselves in the second half which was really good, and we worked together more,” Chiero said. “Unfortunately it went to PKs, but we’re able to put it away. Lisa got in that girls head. I feel bad for her, because the wind had an impact on that girl’s shot, but we’ll take it.
“It was a big game for us because we knew they got fourth at state last year and were going to be strong team again. We gave it our all. We wanted to beat a team that we knew was good.”
Perhaps forgotten was the fact that Glenbard East beat Andrew 3-0 in this same tournament last year. Yes, indeed, the same Thunderbolts team that went to state.
The Rams have now beaten the Thunderbolts four-straight years, including a dominant 5-1 win the tournament championship in 2017 and a 1-0 decision in 2016. They did not play each other in 2015.
“These early games are great because you get a chance for two really good teams to meet up and get to sort things out to see where you’re at,” Zolk said. “At some point we were going to have to give up a goal, so that was our first. So we got that off our back and still know we’ll be OK.”
Last year after losing its opener at Glenbard East, the Thunderbolts proceeded to win five straight and ultimately played at North Central in June.
“We have that standard to strive for again after last season, and we have the majority of our players back which will benefit us,” Nemec said. “Last year we lost to Glenbard East and still ended up winning the consolation of this tournament so we grew a lot from that point of the season to get to state. Right now we’re looking to keep growing and getting better.”
Maddie Weltin, Novak, Summer Garcia, Chiero and Sam Johnson all converted their PKs for the Rams and in that order.
Nemec, O’Neill, Dennis and Makayala More all made their attempts for Andrew, but after Johnson made it a perfect 5-for-5 for the Rams, Andrew’s final shooter’s shot bounded off the left post to give the Rams the victory.
But if the shot had been a few inches to the right, would Stranski have been able to save it?
“Probably not,” said.Stranski, who returned for the PK session. “If it was just inside, maybe, but I don’t think so.”
One thing’s for sure -- the girls didn’t lose their appetite despite the thrilling PK finish as Chiero, Liljestrand and Stranski were among those Rams still standing around in brisk conditions after the game, munching on donuts.
“I wouldn’t change anything from today,” Stranski said. “It was a good experience. We gave it our all, and we won.”
And she got a donut. That’s a win too.
Starting lineups
Glenbard East
GK Lisa Stranski
D Ruby Campuzano
D Kendall Crackel
D Summer Garcia
D Sam Johnson
MF Amy Chiero
MF Natalie Borcean
MF Maia Zatarski
F Lindsey Novak
F Sarah Liljestand
F Maddie Weltin
Andrew
GK Gabby Sportiello
D Nicole Koppers
D Addison Lim
D Brigid Tunney
MF Alex Dennis
MF Megan O’Neill
MF Brandi Muys
F Erin Jaskierski
F Samantha Koppers
F Makayla More
F Megan Nemec
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Amy Chiero, sr., MF, Glenbard East
Scoring
First half
Andrew – Sam Gountounas (u/a) 15:12
Second half
Glenbard East – Amy Chiero (Ellie Shuert) 15:56
First overtime
None
Second overtime
None
PKs
Glenbard East: Maddie Weltin, Novak, Summer Garcia, Chiero, Sam Johnson
Andrew: Nemec, O’Neill, Dennis, Makayala More, fifth shot hit post