Glenbard East honors seniors,
gears up for postseason
Rams post 9-0 Senior Night over Proviso West
By Dave Owen
LOMBARD -- Thursday’s regular-season finale for Glenbard East and Proviso West was anticlimactic in many ways, while definitely climate-ic in 90-degree heat.
But the Rams’ lopsided 9-0 nonconference win was a day to celebrate big things: pregame Senior Night festivities honoring a successful Class of 2022, and the end of a week in which Glenbard East clinched at least a share of the Upstate Eight Conference title.
They will share the title with Bartlett if the Hawks beat Glenbard South on Saturday.
Sarah Liljestrand scored two goals Thursday to lead the Rams. She wears number 2 and summed up the double rewards of the 2022 season to date.
“I think the biggest thing is, we put in so much work,” Liljestrand said of the UEC title. “This is my last year, and out of the four years this is my first year winning conference. I think it was special just to win in our last fling year here.”
The Rams (14-5-1, 8-0-1) took an 8-0 win Monday over Larkin and then grabbed the at-minimum, title-sharing win with its 8-0 score over Fenton on Wednesday.
Glenbard East’s sizzling offense continued to match the weather Thursday.
Maddie Kiefer joined Liljestrand with two goals, and Maia Zatarski, Sarah Conroy, Jasmin Dhamers, Ciara Johnson and Natalie Borcean all added one.
After holding overall records of 3-3-0 and 5-4-0 at earlier points this season, the Rams’ final three wins were the culmination to a great April and May run.
“As the season progressed, I think we became really comfortable with each other,” senior Borcean said. “And our chemistry skyrocketed it seemed like. Everyone was playing together instead of on our own, and we found a lot of success within that.”
Conroy credited depth throughout the field and the leadership of fourth-year goalkeeper Zoe Romano as huge factors.
“I think it’s all of us just working together,” Conroy said. “Everywhere on the field is solid. It’s all tied in. Especially with Zoe our keeper. She’s really held it down this season.
“At the beginning of the season we kind of struggled a little bit,” Conroy added, “but then we got it all together, and I think we’re really solid now.”
As for Thursday, seniors and their parents were honored in pregame ceremonies that included receiving on-field congratulations from someone who is no stranger to big receptions. Glenbard East athletic director D’Wayne Bates played wide receiver on the 1995 Northwestern Rose Bowl team and for five seasons in the NFL with the Bears and Vikings.
With six seniors (Borcean, Conroy, Liljestrand, Zatarski, Ruby Campuzano and Romano) on varsity since their freshman year, it was a group worthy of big-league praise.
“It was a little emotional,” Conroy said of Senior Day. “Today was our last day of school too, so we were all kind of heavy hearted.
“And being with all of our families (on the field pregame) and all the team, and everyone showing support, it really means so much after all the four years we put in the work.
“It was satisfying. And we really put it away tonight. It all worked out good.”
Zatarski entered Thursday with a team-high 18 goals, and started as close as possible and as quick as possible to add to that total.
Just one minute in, she dribbled up the middle to open space and lined a shot that ricocheted off the left post and across off the right post. Zatarski even hustled to the rebound, but her 6-yard right side rebound try was blocked by Proviso West goalkeeper Areli Rodriguez.
Zatarski repeated that dribble run in on goal in the eighth minute, but Rodriguez came off her line 12 yards to deflect the shot away.
The third Zatarski rush ended differently. With 31:23 left in the half, she again burst up the middle and this time lined a low 20-yarder inside the post for a 1-0 lead.
Outside of two distance shots in succession for Proviso West (3-12-1) in the 11th minute, one over the net and the next wide right, it was all Glenbard East.
Conroy’s left-side run and shot in the 12th minute ended with a Panthers deflection wide. The ensuing Dhamers corner kick send was deflected wide at the back post by senior Kayla Breen.
But the Rams’ constant chances eventually wore down a Proviso West team with just two substitutes and many other obstacles beyond facing a more talented and motivated Rams side.
“This is our third game in three days in the heat,” Panthers coach Carlos Villanueva said. “Five starters didn’t play and aren’t even here.
“They (Glenbard East) have a nice team. And it’s their Senior Night. But we did what we could.”
That included keeping the game close until a late first half Rams stampede.
The Glenbard East lead became 2-0 in the 24th minute when Dhamers lined a high 18-yarder that deflected off Rodriguez’s hands and into the net.
That score held up all the way until 8:14 remained in the half but then the Rams erupted.
Liljestrand opened the final push. She attacked right and lined a hard shot inside the left post.
Conroy followed with a left-side attack and finish 5:55 before the half. Kiefer (run up the middle and 10-yard drive) and Johnson (35-yarder off Rodriguez’s hands and in) built the lead to 6-0 at intermission. Sophomore Johnson’s goal was her first of the year.
Liljestrand opened the second half scoring after deflecting a Conroy corner kick in from in front of the net with 38:10 left.
That reduced the remaining time in half, but that was still enough for two more nice Rams goals: Borcean’s with 15 minutes left; then a Kiefer corner kick directly high inside the back post with 8:20 to go.
“We were trying to get all the seniors to score on a big night,” Conroy said. “And we got most of them I think.”
Four did score, and two others came close.
Senior Haley Tu’s short-hop 18-yard liner 20 seconds into the second half was smothered by Rodriguez. Tu and senior Peyton Dybowski (wide left off a Maya Reinheimer pass with 15 seconds left) had chances in the final minute of play.
“You can’t say enough adjectives about the whole senior class,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “Peyton and Haley were not on varsity as freshmen, but they’ve been huge contributors.
“You could see it with the whole group tonight, trying to get Haley to score. Zatarski has almost 20 goals, and to see her passing up shots at the 18 says a lot about the whole group and how selfless they are and that they have been.”
Other Rams generating nice chances were Hope Kowalis (a back post touch just wide off a Reinheimer corner kick), Tyler Rejano (redirect over the net off a Kiefer cross) and Kaylee Ludwig (a header just over net).
The only heat on Glenbard East on Thursday came via the sun. Next Tuesday will be different for the Rams when they host West Suburban Conference Gold Division champion and sixth-seeded Downers Grove South in a 3:30 p.m. regional semifinal.
“DGS is a very good team,” Lijestrand said. “We’re going to bring our best and hope for the win.”
Conroy hopes one factor will be a boost.
“Being at home will definitely help us a lot,” she said. “We definitely have more success at home.”
A showdown of conference champions in a regional opener is rare.
“A tall order,” Overbey said. “We got the nine seed, and at the time I agreed with it. That was an accurate picture then, but it’s not accurate with where we are now.
“Definitely as Downers South you would probably prefer to play an 11 seed. I think they’re going to be surprised by us, because we’re playing better than a nine (seed).
“Downers South’s number 13 (Emily Petring) distributes a lot and is a very good player. And they bring a lot of pressure up-top. They beat Bartlett in a shootout and we tied Bartlett, so there’s some common opponents there to build off of.”
Despite the challenge, Overbey is confident.
“The way we’re playing at the end, lights out in the back, Zatarski scoring from anywhere and grinding up front with Jas (Dhamers) and the two Sarahs, we can play with anybody,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The winner will likely face third-seeded Downers Grove North in the final. The Trojans face no. 14 Curie in the semis. In their annual cross-town match the Downers Grove high schools played to a 2-2 tie.
Glenbard East’s senior group comes off their special night of honor, and now seeks postseason success to add to the good feelings.
“I’m excited,” Borcean said. “We’ve got good competition from Downers Grove South. We’re ready to put our best foot forward, and I can’t wait to see what we bring and what they bring to the table.
“I think it’ll definitely be a good match. We might be the underdogs in this with our scores and everything, but we’re ready.”
Starting lineups
Proviso West
GK Areli Rodriguez
D Yadira Martinez
D Yanely Gaona
D Mia Garibay
D Ashley Garcia
M Stefany Paz
M Crystal Corona
M Victoria Palomino
M Leilani Ortega
M Yallin Ruiz-Vallo
F Kaylin Garcilazo
Glenbard East
GK Zoe Romano
D Ruby Campuzano
D Julia Bereta
D Haley Tu
M Natalie Borcean
M Sarah Conroy
M Brielle DeForest
M Peyton Dybowski
M Sarah Liljestrand
F Kayla Breen
F Maia Zatarski
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Sarah Liljestrand, sr. MF, Glenbard East
Scoring summary (60-minute game)
First half
GE: Maia Zatarski (unassisted), 9’
GE: Jasmine Dhamers (unassisted), 24’
GE: Sarah Liljestrand (unassisted), 32’
GE: Sarah Conroy (unassisted), 35’
GE: Maddie Kiefer (unassisted), 36’
GE: Ciara Johnson (unassisted), 39’
Second half
GE: Liljestrand (Conroy), 42’
GE: Natalie Borcean (unassisted), 45’
GE: Kiefer (corner kick), 52’
gears up for postseason
Rams post 9-0 Senior Night over Proviso West
By Dave Owen
LOMBARD -- Thursday’s regular-season finale for Glenbard East and Proviso West was anticlimactic in many ways, while definitely climate-ic in 90-degree heat.
But the Rams’ lopsided 9-0 nonconference win was a day to celebrate big things: pregame Senior Night festivities honoring a successful Class of 2022, and the end of a week in which Glenbard East clinched at least a share of the Upstate Eight Conference title.
They will share the title with Bartlett if the Hawks beat Glenbard South on Saturday.
Sarah Liljestrand scored two goals Thursday to lead the Rams. She wears number 2 and summed up the double rewards of the 2022 season to date.
“I think the biggest thing is, we put in so much work,” Liljestrand said of the UEC title. “This is my last year, and out of the four years this is my first year winning conference. I think it was special just to win in our last fling year here.”
The Rams (14-5-1, 8-0-1) took an 8-0 win Monday over Larkin and then grabbed the at-minimum, title-sharing win with its 8-0 score over Fenton on Wednesday.
Glenbard East’s sizzling offense continued to match the weather Thursday.
Maddie Kiefer joined Liljestrand with two goals, and Maia Zatarski, Sarah Conroy, Jasmin Dhamers, Ciara Johnson and Natalie Borcean all added one.
After holding overall records of 3-3-0 and 5-4-0 at earlier points this season, the Rams’ final three wins were the culmination to a great April and May run.
“As the season progressed, I think we became really comfortable with each other,” senior Borcean said. “And our chemistry skyrocketed it seemed like. Everyone was playing together instead of on our own, and we found a lot of success within that.”
Conroy credited depth throughout the field and the leadership of fourth-year goalkeeper Zoe Romano as huge factors.
“I think it’s all of us just working together,” Conroy said. “Everywhere on the field is solid. It’s all tied in. Especially with Zoe our keeper. She’s really held it down this season.
“At the beginning of the season we kind of struggled a little bit,” Conroy added, “but then we got it all together, and I think we’re really solid now.”
As for Thursday, seniors and their parents were honored in pregame ceremonies that included receiving on-field congratulations from someone who is no stranger to big receptions. Glenbard East athletic director D’Wayne Bates played wide receiver on the 1995 Northwestern Rose Bowl team and for five seasons in the NFL with the Bears and Vikings.
With six seniors (Borcean, Conroy, Liljestrand, Zatarski, Ruby Campuzano and Romano) on varsity since their freshman year, it was a group worthy of big-league praise.
“It was a little emotional,” Conroy said of Senior Day. “Today was our last day of school too, so we were all kind of heavy hearted.
“And being with all of our families (on the field pregame) and all the team, and everyone showing support, it really means so much after all the four years we put in the work.
“It was satisfying. And we really put it away tonight. It all worked out good.”
Zatarski entered Thursday with a team-high 18 goals, and started as close as possible and as quick as possible to add to that total.
Just one minute in, she dribbled up the middle to open space and lined a shot that ricocheted off the left post and across off the right post. Zatarski even hustled to the rebound, but her 6-yard right side rebound try was blocked by Proviso West goalkeeper Areli Rodriguez.
Zatarski repeated that dribble run in on goal in the eighth minute, but Rodriguez came off her line 12 yards to deflect the shot away.
The third Zatarski rush ended differently. With 31:23 left in the half, she again burst up the middle and this time lined a low 20-yarder inside the post for a 1-0 lead.
Outside of two distance shots in succession for Proviso West (3-12-1) in the 11th minute, one over the net and the next wide right, it was all Glenbard East.
Conroy’s left-side run and shot in the 12th minute ended with a Panthers deflection wide. The ensuing Dhamers corner kick send was deflected wide at the back post by senior Kayla Breen.
But the Rams’ constant chances eventually wore down a Proviso West team with just two substitutes and many other obstacles beyond facing a more talented and motivated Rams side.
“This is our third game in three days in the heat,” Panthers coach Carlos Villanueva said. “Five starters didn’t play and aren’t even here.
“They (Glenbard East) have a nice team. And it’s their Senior Night. But we did what we could.”
That included keeping the game close until a late first half Rams stampede.
The Glenbard East lead became 2-0 in the 24th minute when Dhamers lined a high 18-yarder that deflected off Rodriguez’s hands and into the net.
That score held up all the way until 8:14 remained in the half but then the Rams erupted.
Liljestrand opened the final push. She attacked right and lined a hard shot inside the left post.
Conroy followed with a left-side attack and finish 5:55 before the half. Kiefer (run up the middle and 10-yard drive) and Johnson (35-yarder off Rodriguez’s hands and in) built the lead to 6-0 at intermission. Sophomore Johnson’s goal was her first of the year.
Liljestrand opened the second half scoring after deflecting a Conroy corner kick in from in front of the net with 38:10 left.
That reduced the remaining time in half, but that was still enough for two more nice Rams goals: Borcean’s with 15 minutes left; then a Kiefer corner kick directly high inside the back post with 8:20 to go.
“We were trying to get all the seniors to score on a big night,” Conroy said. “And we got most of them I think.”
Four did score, and two others came close.
Senior Haley Tu’s short-hop 18-yard liner 20 seconds into the second half was smothered by Rodriguez. Tu and senior Peyton Dybowski (wide left off a Maya Reinheimer pass with 15 seconds left) had chances in the final minute of play.
“You can’t say enough adjectives about the whole senior class,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “Peyton and Haley were not on varsity as freshmen, but they’ve been huge contributors.
“You could see it with the whole group tonight, trying to get Haley to score. Zatarski has almost 20 goals, and to see her passing up shots at the 18 says a lot about the whole group and how selfless they are and that they have been.”
Other Rams generating nice chances were Hope Kowalis (a back post touch just wide off a Reinheimer corner kick), Tyler Rejano (redirect over the net off a Kiefer cross) and Kaylee Ludwig (a header just over net).
The only heat on Glenbard East on Thursday came via the sun. Next Tuesday will be different for the Rams when they host West Suburban Conference Gold Division champion and sixth-seeded Downers Grove South in a 3:30 p.m. regional semifinal.
“DGS is a very good team,” Lijestrand said. “We’re going to bring our best and hope for the win.”
Conroy hopes one factor will be a boost.
“Being at home will definitely help us a lot,” she said. “We definitely have more success at home.”
A showdown of conference champions in a regional opener is rare.
“A tall order,” Overbey said. “We got the nine seed, and at the time I agreed with it. That was an accurate picture then, but it’s not accurate with where we are now.
“Definitely as Downers South you would probably prefer to play an 11 seed. I think they’re going to be surprised by us, because we’re playing better than a nine (seed).
“Downers South’s number 13 (Emily Petring) distributes a lot and is a very good player. And they bring a lot of pressure up-top. They beat Bartlett in a shootout and we tied Bartlett, so there’s some common opponents there to build off of.”
Despite the challenge, Overbey is confident.
“The way we’re playing at the end, lights out in the back, Zatarski scoring from anywhere and grinding up front with Jas (Dhamers) and the two Sarahs, we can play with anybody,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The winner will likely face third-seeded Downers Grove North in the final. The Trojans face no. 14 Curie in the semis. In their annual cross-town match the Downers Grove high schools played to a 2-2 tie.
Glenbard East’s senior group comes off their special night of honor, and now seeks postseason success to add to the good feelings.
“I’m excited,” Borcean said. “We’ve got good competition from Downers Grove South. We’re ready to put our best foot forward, and I can’t wait to see what we bring and what they bring to the table.
“I think it’ll definitely be a good match. We might be the underdogs in this with our scores and everything, but we’re ready.”
Starting lineups
Proviso West
GK Areli Rodriguez
D Yadira Martinez
D Yanely Gaona
D Mia Garibay
D Ashley Garcia
M Stefany Paz
M Crystal Corona
M Victoria Palomino
M Leilani Ortega
M Yallin Ruiz-Vallo
F Kaylin Garcilazo
Glenbard East
GK Zoe Romano
D Ruby Campuzano
D Julia Bereta
D Haley Tu
M Natalie Borcean
M Sarah Conroy
M Brielle DeForest
M Peyton Dybowski
M Sarah Liljestrand
F Kayla Breen
F Maia Zatarski
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Sarah Liljestrand, sr. MF, Glenbard East
Scoring summary (60-minute game)
First half
GE: Maia Zatarski (unassisted), 9’
GE: Jasmine Dhamers (unassisted), 24’
GE: Sarah Liljestrand (unassisted), 32’
GE: Sarah Conroy (unassisted), 35’
GE: Maddie Kiefer (unassisted), 36’
GE: Ciara Johnson (unassisted), 39’
Second half
GE: Liljestrand (Conroy), 42’
GE: Natalie Borcean (unassisted), 45’
GE: Kiefer (corner kick), 52’