Young ends Glenbard East's incredible run
2016 state trophy, three regional titles part of seniors' legacy
By Dave Owen
LOMBARD – It was an unexpected but typically classy ending for Glenbard East.
A historic four-year run for the Rams seniors that began with a 2016 third place finish at state ran into the end of the road Friday. Sectional seventh-seed Young (17-6-1) used strong defense and a second half goal to produce a 1-0 championship upset win in the Class 3A Glenbard East Regional.
But all in all, 2019 was another impressive chapter in the soccer renaissance for the second-seeded Rams (18-5-2).
“It’s heartbreaking obviously, especially for these seniors,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “They had three conference championships, three regional championships in a row and came up just a little bit short on both of those fronts this year.
“But you try to find a positive in everything. We graduated seven starters (from last year), and for all these freshmen and sophomores to step in the way that they did was awesome. I can’t say enough about the young kids and the senior leadership -- to even put us in position to win a regional championship is huge for us.”
Amy Chiero, Lindsey Novak and Sam Johnson were on varsity all the way back to the magical 2016 season. And in the truest sense, that magic started long before and never ended.
“Sam (Johnson) and Lindsey (Novak) -- we’ve played together literally since our first soccer games ever,” said Chiero, a four-year varsity starter at midfield. “It’s hard to say goodbye.
“This team and this program has been a blessing. I love every one of these girls and I’m going to miss every one of them. This program has by far been the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
A reserve her freshman year, Johnson quickly developed into an anchor of the Rams’ defense.
“This team has been so strong,” Johnson said. “My past four years I’ve been so lucky to be a part of that, especially with all the amazing girls surrounding me. They’ve been great teammates, great players. They’ve helped me grow so much, and they’ve helped all of us grow. And I think in the next seasons they’ll be amazing too. I can’t wait to come back and watch them play and compete.”
Glenbard East had never won a regional title before the spring of 2016. What followed has been incredible – 71 wins, a state trophy, two other runs to sectionals and the firm establishment of a successful tradition.
“It’s really emotional right now,” Novak said, “but it shows how amazing this program is now that we can be so upset by this. It shows how good we have it here.
“Although we didn’t win conference or regionals this year, and by stats you could say this wasn’t our best year in our four years here, it’s been my favorite year, because I’ve seen (teammates) step out of their shells so much.
“Like Sam Johnson -- she used to be the shyest person I’ve ever known, and she’s so confident now. They’re all so positive.
“We went into this season (as seniors) wanting to lead the way we wanted to be led in the past,” Novak added, “and although it didn’t go in our favor, I don’t think I’ve ever grown as an individual and with a team so much in a season.”
Chiero, Novak, Johnson and reserves Hayden Dudek and Audrey Beckham leave a legacy.
“I hate to see these five (seniors) go,” Overbey said. “We’ll have a great group back (next year), but obviously it will be hard to replace 25 or 26 goals up front with Novak, Chiero with 15 assists and obviously Sam – I think Sam’s been on the field for like 65 shutouts in her four years.”
Glenbard East’s recent history made Young’s performance Friday all the more impressive.
The Dolphins adversity included head coach Ross LaBeaux having to miss the game to deal with a family emergency and continued with a flurry of early chances by the Rams.
But Young endured, then turned an offensive push early in the second half into the deciding goal.
Off an Ella Koleno corner kick with 29:02 left, a battle for the ball in the box ended with Audrey Howaniec’s 8-yard drive inside the right post for a 1-0 Young lead.
“It was off of a corner, and it was kind of bobbling around,” said Howaniec, whose finish earned her the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
“I know Mia (Lisanti) got a head on it, and she actually fell down (in front). Then it just kind of fell right in front of me, I had the chance to finish it, and I did. It’s really important to capitalize on those chances when you get them. I’m really happy we got one.”
Young’s surge nearly netted a second goal with 26:30 to play. Off another corner kick, Koleno recovered the partial clear and found Howaniec in front for a rocket that caromed off the left post and across the crease untouched.
“We were connecting in the midfield and then going forward,” said Young assistant coach Greg VonMoser. “When you can get all three forwards going at one time it’s nice.
“And between the corner kick goal, which was an effort goal, then we got another one where I think it hit off both posts, just like a Bears kick.”
That Bears’ field goal attempt off the upright and crossbar versus the Eagles ended in a NFL playoff defeat, but Young survived its near miss to fend off a Glenbard East fight to the finish.
Off a Summer Garcia free kick with 14:55 left, Elaine Wesling’s left post bid was blocked, and Natalie Borcean sent a rebound just over the net.
Then it was Engelmann’s turn with two big saves down the stretch. With 6:10 to go, she made a low save on Chiero’s 29-yard free kick. Then after a Young foul with 1:20 left, Chiero’s 22-yard free kick left of the box was denied on a high catch by the Young senior goalkeeper.
“I think that our defense as a whole was so much more organized today,” Engelmann said. “We’ve been working on defending set plays, and that really showed today.
“We were able to cut off angles, and then the saves that I had to make were easier than they would be otherwise.
“We remained confident in ourselves,” Engelmann added. “We know how much we’ve grown over the season with being able to connect passes and making awesome things happen on offense. Where we’ve been weak really has been defensively, and today we just killed it.”
The Rams continued to threaten to the end, working their way well upfield with a series of throw-ins in the final minute. But with 15 seconds left, a long send upfield by Ella Koleno squelched Glenbard East’s final bid.
“They (Young) really cranked it up in the second half,” Overbey said. “I thought we had good energy, and I thought we did well, but we just couldn’t find the answer in the final third.
“Credit to them -- their keeper (Engelmann) played well, and 18 (Lauren Ehlers) in the back is a very strong player. They were able to keep the ball out of the net. And unfortunately one broken play at this level in the state tournament, that’s where the difference is.”
Rams players offered their own praise for Young.
“They had a lot of speed up-top,” Novak said, “and they have a lot of communication. Their keeper is super vocal, which I think was the key to their success. She sees the whole field. And she was directing their players really well I believe.
“They came out with tons of energy. They stepped on the field and wanted it. We really competed and tried to match that energy, which I think we did for a long time.”
Said Johnson: “Whitney Young was definitely the best team we’ve played against this season. They matched our energy like Lindsey said, and I wish them the best of luck going forward because they were a really strong team out there.”
Glenbard East’s own energy was apparent from the start Friday, as its offense tested the Young defense was tested early.
Off a Weltin run up the middle and pass just four minutes in, Novak’s 10-yard shot was deflected away by Engelmann charging off her line.
In the 10th minute, a strong send by Garcia met a similar fate == a Weltin tip towards the net, where Engelmann just beat Elaine Wesling to the loose ball.
“They put a lot of pressure,” VonMoser said of the Rams. “Number 14 (Sophia Heatly), 13 (Novak) and 15 (Weltin) were just coming at us. They were relentless, but we stood up to everything, and we did a good job of winning balls in the air.”
That was especially true of the Young defense, with one vivid example coming in the 26th minute.
A Weltin steal denied a strong Lisanti run and triggered a Rams counterattack. With elite scorer Novak racing in left, Young’s Addie Schlensker blocked her cross to the crease. Then on Chiero’s resend to the box, Ehlers nicely won a 50-50 ball and cleared the zone.
“Our back four played about as well as you can ask,” VonMoser said. “And we had a good plan at the beginning to play direct and then to not go to the middle but look to go to the outside. And it really worked. Our kids to the outside played well the entire game.”
Young’s first half chances included Glenbard East goalkeeper Lisa Stranski’s save on an Ella Koleno 25-yard left-footed drive in the 17th minute. In the 29th minute, Ehlers’ 20-yard free kick left of the box went just wide of the near post.
But the Rams closed the half with a big chance, as Chiero’s 12-yard free kick right of the box in the 37th minute was denied on a high catch by Engelmann.
The second half started on a similar note for Glenbard East. With 36:40 to play, Chiero’s corner kick set up a Garcia 10-yard high shot that angled inches wide of the left post.
Three minutes later, Novak followed with a block of a clearing attempt. Then, in a race for the ball with Engelmann, her deflection went wide for a Young goal kick.
Then came Young’s offensive push, and Howaniec’s deciding goal.
“Whitney Young did really well,” Johnson said. “We matched up well, and honestly I thought it was just one lucky goal that they got.
“We gave it our all – Lindsey did great up-top, Sarah (Liljestrand), Amy and Maddie Weltin did really good in the midfield, and our whole backline of Kendall (Crackel), Summer (Garcia) and Molly (Galvin). The whole team came out really strong, but it just didn’t go our way.”
Young advances to face York in a Glenbard East sectional semifinal Tuesday.
“It’s incredible,” Engelmann said. “We lost the city championship to our biggest rival (Lane) for the fifth-straight year. That was our ultimate goal.”
But the prize that followed after that defeat was very sweet: Friday marked the first regional title for Young since 2008.
“We’re so excited,” Engelmann said, “and now we’re hoping we can keep the season going.”
Despite Friday’s tough loss, Glenbard East had a season and recent run to be very proud of.
This season produced 18 wins and a second-seed in sectionals -- both major feats.
“There’s always that rebuild or reload (every year),” Overbey said. “You have new talent stepping in, players like (juniors) Molly Galvin and Summer Garcia who have been around but stepped forward this year and made big contributions. It’s awesome.
“We’ve always approach it as next one up, whoever’s ready. And we’ve seen that across the board. Jill O’Brien is another one who stepped in at the center of the back, played a lot of minutes down the stretch. It’s a matter of opportunity knocks and you have to be ready. I’m really proud of everybody top to bottom.”
The postgame tears and devastation were a sign of the Rams’ massive progress in a short time.
“You can see it in the expression on their faces,” Overbey said. “Expectations are sky high for us, and that says a lot about these seniors and how far this program has come in just these last four years. I can’t say enough great things about them.”
Johnson tried to sum up a ride that started with state glory and grew from there.
“My freshman year going to state was a lot of fun,” she said, “but every year is a lot of fun when you have these girls by your side. Everyone I’ve been with on the team is so nice. It’s awesome to be with them on the field.”
And while the fall holds college soccer careers for Novak (North Central) , Chiero (Denison) and Johnson (Elmhurst), they will always have one eye on the Rams’ past and future.
“They’re coming for the title next year,” Novak said, “and we’ll be cheering them on.”
Starting lineups
Young
GK: Mia Engelmann
D: Ashley Sidkey
D: Lauren Ehlers
D: Addie Schlensker
D: Carson Herman
M: Eleanor Sherline
M: Sydney Koleno
M: Ella Koleno
M: Alexis Sassower
F: Audrey Howaniec
F: Mia Lisanti
Glenbard East
GK: Lisa Stranski
D: Summer Garcia
D: Molly Galvin
D: Sam Johnson
D: Kendall Crackel
M: Natalie Borcean
M: Amy Chiero
M: Elaine Wesling
M: Maddie Weltin
F: Lindsey Novak
F: Sarah Liljestrand
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Audrey Howaniec, sr. F, Young
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Y- Audrey Howaniec, 50:58
2016 state trophy, three regional titles part of seniors' legacy
By Dave Owen
LOMBARD – It was an unexpected but typically classy ending for Glenbard East.
A historic four-year run for the Rams seniors that began with a 2016 third place finish at state ran into the end of the road Friday. Sectional seventh-seed Young (17-6-1) used strong defense and a second half goal to produce a 1-0 championship upset win in the Class 3A Glenbard East Regional.
But all in all, 2019 was another impressive chapter in the soccer renaissance for the second-seeded Rams (18-5-2).
“It’s heartbreaking obviously, especially for these seniors,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “They had three conference championships, three regional championships in a row and came up just a little bit short on both of those fronts this year.
“But you try to find a positive in everything. We graduated seven starters (from last year), and for all these freshmen and sophomores to step in the way that they did was awesome. I can’t say enough about the young kids and the senior leadership -- to even put us in position to win a regional championship is huge for us.”
Amy Chiero, Lindsey Novak and Sam Johnson were on varsity all the way back to the magical 2016 season. And in the truest sense, that magic started long before and never ended.
“Sam (Johnson) and Lindsey (Novak) -- we’ve played together literally since our first soccer games ever,” said Chiero, a four-year varsity starter at midfield. “It’s hard to say goodbye.
“This team and this program has been a blessing. I love every one of these girls and I’m going to miss every one of them. This program has by far been the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
A reserve her freshman year, Johnson quickly developed into an anchor of the Rams’ defense.
“This team has been so strong,” Johnson said. “My past four years I’ve been so lucky to be a part of that, especially with all the amazing girls surrounding me. They’ve been great teammates, great players. They’ve helped me grow so much, and they’ve helped all of us grow. And I think in the next seasons they’ll be amazing too. I can’t wait to come back and watch them play and compete.”
Glenbard East had never won a regional title before the spring of 2016. What followed has been incredible – 71 wins, a state trophy, two other runs to sectionals and the firm establishment of a successful tradition.
“It’s really emotional right now,” Novak said, “but it shows how amazing this program is now that we can be so upset by this. It shows how good we have it here.
“Although we didn’t win conference or regionals this year, and by stats you could say this wasn’t our best year in our four years here, it’s been my favorite year, because I’ve seen (teammates) step out of their shells so much.
“Like Sam Johnson -- she used to be the shyest person I’ve ever known, and she’s so confident now. They’re all so positive.
“We went into this season (as seniors) wanting to lead the way we wanted to be led in the past,” Novak added, “and although it didn’t go in our favor, I don’t think I’ve ever grown as an individual and with a team so much in a season.”
Chiero, Novak, Johnson and reserves Hayden Dudek and Audrey Beckham leave a legacy.
“I hate to see these five (seniors) go,” Overbey said. “We’ll have a great group back (next year), but obviously it will be hard to replace 25 or 26 goals up front with Novak, Chiero with 15 assists and obviously Sam – I think Sam’s been on the field for like 65 shutouts in her four years.”
Glenbard East’s recent history made Young’s performance Friday all the more impressive.
The Dolphins adversity included head coach Ross LaBeaux having to miss the game to deal with a family emergency and continued with a flurry of early chances by the Rams.
But Young endured, then turned an offensive push early in the second half into the deciding goal.
Off an Ella Koleno corner kick with 29:02 left, a battle for the ball in the box ended with Audrey Howaniec’s 8-yard drive inside the right post for a 1-0 Young lead.
“It was off of a corner, and it was kind of bobbling around,” said Howaniec, whose finish earned her the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
“I know Mia (Lisanti) got a head on it, and she actually fell down (in front). Then it just kind of fell right in front of me, I had the chance to finish it, and I did. It’s really important to capitalize on those chances when you get them. I’m really happy we got one.”
Young’s surge nearly netted a second goal with 26:30 to play. Off another corner kick, Koleno recovered the partial clear and found Howaniec in front for a rocket that caromed off the left post and across the crease untouched.
“We were connecting in the midfield and then going forward,” said Young assistant coach Greg VonMoser. “When you can get all three forwards going at one time it’s nice.
“And between the corner kick goal, which was an effort goal, then we got another one where I think it hit off both posts, just like a Bears kick.”
That Bears’ field goal attempt off the upright and crossbar versus the Eagles ended in a NFL playoff defeat, but Young survived its near miss to fend off a Glenbard East fight to the finish.
Off a Summer Garcia free kick with 14:55 left, Elaine Wesling’s left post bid was blocked, and Natalie Borcean sent a rebound just over the net.
Then it was Engelmann’s turn with two big saves down the stretch. With 6:10 to go, she made a low save on Chiero’s 29-yard free kick. Then after a Young foul with 1:20 left, Chiero’s 22-yard free kick left of the box was denied on a high catch by the Young senior goalkeeper.
“I think that our defense as a whole was so much more organized today,” Engelmann said. “We’ve been working on defending set plays, and that really showed today.
“We were able to cut off angles, and then the saves that I had to make were easier than they would be otherwise.
“We remained confident in ourselves,” Engelmann added. “We know how much we’ve grown over the season with being able to connect passes and making awesome things happen on offense. Where we’ve been weak really has been defensively, and today we just killed it.”
The Rams continued to threaten to the end, working their way well upfield with a series of throw-ins in the final minute. But with 15 seconds left, a long send upfield by Ella Koleno squelched Glenbard East’s final bid.
“They (Young) really cranked it up in the second half,” Overbey said. “I thought we had good energy, and I thought we did well, but we just couldn’t find the answer in the final third.
“Credit to them -- their keeper (Engelmann) played well, and 18 (Lauren Ehlers) in the back is a very strong player. They were able to keep the ball out of the net. And unfortunately one broken play at this level in the state tournament, that’s where the difference is.”
Rams players offered their own praise for Young.
“They had a lot of speed up-top,” Novak said, “and they have a lot of communication. Their keeper is super vocal, which I think was the key to their success. She sees the whole field. And she was directing their players really well I believe.
“They came out with tons of energy. They stepped on the field and wanted it. We really competed and tried to match that energy, which I think we did for a long time.”
Said Johnson: “Whitney Young was definitely the best team we’ve played against this season. They matched our energy like Lindsey said, and I wish them the best of luck going forward because they were a really strong team out there.”
Glenbard East’s own energy was apparent from the start Friday, as its offense tested the Young defense was tested early.
Off a Weltin run up the middle and pass just four minutes in, Novak’s 10-yard shot was deflected away by Engelmann charging off her line.
In the 10th minute, a strong send by Garcia met a similar fate == a Weltin tip towards the net, where Engelmann just beat Elaine Wesling to the loose ball.
“They put a lot of pressure,” VonMoser said of the Rams. “Number 14 (Sophia Heatly), 13 (Novak) and 15 (Weltin) were just coming at us. They were relentless, but we stood up to everything, and we did a good job of winning balls in the air.”
That was especially true of the Young defense, with one vivid example coming in the 26th minute.
A Weltin steal denied a strong Lisanti run and triggered a Rams counterattack. With elite scorer Novak racing in left, Young’s Addie Schlensker blocked her cross to the crease. Then on Chiero’s resend to the box, Ehlers nicely won a 50-50 ball and cleared the zone.
“Our back four played about as well as you can ask,” VonMoser said. “And we had a good plan at the beginning to play direct and then to not go to the middle but look to go to the outside. And it really worked. Our kids to the outside played well the entire game.”
Young’s first half chances included Glenbard East goalkeeper Lisa Stranski’s save on an Ella Koleno 25-yard left-footed drive in the 17th minute. In the 29th minute, Ehlers’ 20-yard free kick left of the box went just wide of the near post.
But the Rams closed the half with a big chance, as Chiero’s 12-yard free kick right of the box in the 37th minute was denied on a high catch by Engelmann.
The second half started on a similar note for Glenbard East. With 36:40 to play, Chiero’s corner kick set up a Garcia 10-yard high shot that angled inches wide of the left post.
Three minutes later, Novak followed with a block of a clearing attempt. Then, in a race for the ball with Engelmann, her deflection went wide for a Young goal kick.
Then came Young’s offensive push, and Howaniec’s deciding goal.
“Whitney Young did really well,” Johnson said. “We matched up well, and honestly I thought it was just one lucky goal that they got.
“We gave it our all – Lindsey did great up-top, Sarah (Liljestrand), Amy and Maddie Weltin did really good in the midfield, and our whole backline of Kendall (Crackel), Summer (Garcia) and Molly (Galvin). The whole team came out really strong, but it just didn’t go our way.”
Young advances to face York in a Glenbard East sectional semifinal Tuesday.
“It’s incredible,” Engelmann said. “We lost the city championship to our biggest rival (Lane) for the fifth-straight year. That was our ultimate goal.”
But the prize that followed after that defeat was very sweet: Friday marked the first regional title for Young since 2008.
“We’re so excited,” Engelmann said, “and now we’re hoping we can keep the season going.”
Despite Friday’s tough loss, Glenbard East had a season and recent run to be very proud of.
This season produced 18 wins and a second-seed in sectionals -- both major feats.
“There’s always that rebuild or reload (every year),” Overbey said. “You have new talent stepping in, players like (juniors) Molly Galvin and Summer Garcia who have been around but stepped forward this year and made big contributions. It’s awesome.
“We’ve always approach it as next one up, whoever’s ready. And we’ve seen that across the board. Jill O’Brien is another one who stepped in at the center of the back, played a lot of minutes down the stretch. It’s a matter of opportunity knocks and you have to be ready. I’m really proud of everybody top to bottom.”
The postgame tears and devastation were a sign of the Rams’ massive progress in a short time.
“You can see it in the expression on their faces,” Overbey said. “Expectations are sky high for us, and that says a lot about these seniors and how far this program has come in just these last four years. I can’t say enough great things about them.”
Johnson tried to sum up a ride that started with state glory and grew from there.
“My freshman year going to state was a lot of fun,” she said, “but every year is a lot of fun when you have these girls by your side. Everyone I’ve been with on the team is so nice. It’s awesome to be with them on the field.”
And while the fall holds college soccer careers for Novak (North Central) , Chiero (Denison) and Johnson (Elmhurst), they will always have one eye on the Rams’ past and future.
“They’re coming for the title next year,” Novak said, “and we’ll be cheering them on.”
Starting lineups
Young
GK: Mia Engelmann
D: Ashley Sidkey
D: Lauren Ehlers
D: Addie Schlensker
D: Carson Herman
M: Eleanor Sherline
M: Sydney Koleno
M: Ella Koleno
M: Alexis Sassower
F: Audrey Howaniec
F: Mia Lisanti
Glenbard East
GK: Lisa Stranski
D: Summer Garcia
D: Molly Galvin
D: Sam Johnson
D: Kendall Crackel
M: Natalie Borcean
M: Amy Chiero
M: Elaine Wesling
M: Maddie Weltin
F: Lindsey Novak
F: Sarah Liljestrand
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Audrey Howaniec, sr. F, Young
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Y- Audrey Howaniec, 50:58