Glenbard East & West hope to
rise and shine in district rivalry match
By Dave Owen
Kickoff comes bright and early Saturday when Glenbard East visits Glenbard West for a 10 a.m. cross-district showdown.
And for the visiting Rams, the sun has risen again after an unexpected dark spell.
Coming off a run to run to the Class 3A state semifinals last year, Glenbard East (9-4-2) has had five-match increments of extremes in 2017: a 5-0 start; then an 0-4-1 stretch; and now back to a high-five with a 4-0-1 record since an April 15 setback to Maine South.
“It was definitely tough to stay positive in that two-week stretch,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “Downers North is very good, the no. 1 seed in our sectional. (They scored on) a last minute corner against us, to lose on that was hard, but we've been there before and we know that game could have gone either way.
“Then you look at our game against Lake Forest. Though we didn't have a great game that day, they went on to upset Warren and Metea Valley, and ended up losing in the (PepsiCo) championship to St Charles North, who is very strong. That gave us some vindication for the loss -- we knew it was to a good team.
“So I really think we've tried to take little victories where we could from that stretch. Focus on fixing the problems so if we see any of those teams again, we can hopefully put on a better show.”
The Rams have returned to earlier form, outscoring their foes 21-2 (with four shutouts) during the five-match turnaround.
Several players have helped spark the turnaround.
“Elizabeth Toledo has cemented her spot in the center of the midfield,” Overbey said. “That's a move from forward to fill in for Amy Chiero, who is out with a broken wrist.
“And Mattie Pusateri and Sam Johnson have been playing really well in the back, making great complements to Katie Hansen and Paige Taylor on the backline.”
Coached by Morgan Kasperek (who played college basketball at Iowa), Glenbard West (7-5-2) has faced a steady diet of strong competition this fall -- and produced several impressive results.
The Hilltoppers earned a 1-0 win over Class 2A power Wheaton Academy (a defending state champion) on April 17, and also edged 2016 supersectional squad Minooka 2-1 earlier in the month.
Glenbard West’s trip to the Parkway Soccer Showcase in St. Louis also produced strong showings, including a tie with Missouri power Kirkwood.
Led by defenders Molly Becker, Sydney Peters, Teagan Ryan and Kat Kostolansky, the Hilltoppers have notched five shutouts this spring and allowed just one goal in three other matches. Emma Walsh leads the offensive attack.
“Morgan (Kasperek) has done a great job this year, and GW is playing really well,” Overbey said. “It’s always a great district matchup for us. They play fast and they play hard.
“Plus their conference (the West Suburban Conference Silver Division) has a bunch of our sectional opponents, so this will be a great measuring stick for us.”
The Hilltoppers come off a 4-1 loss to conference power Lyons on Tuesday, the latest challenge in a schedule with few if any cupcakes.
Saturday’s match with Glenbard East will be more of the same top level competition.
“Our defense is shutting teams down and our midfielders have been doing a great job of finding our forwards and supporting in the attack,” Overbey said of his team’s recent run.
“The key to the match for us will be in the midfield,” Overbey added. “We've sorted some stuff out the last week, and we're playing well in the midfield.”
rise and shine in district rivalry match
By Dave Owen
Kickoff comes bright and early Saturday when Glenbard East visits Glenbard West for a 10 a.m. cross-district showdown.
And for the visiting Rams, the sun has risen again after an unexpected dark spell.
Coming off a run to run to the Class 3A state semifinals last year, Glenbard East (9-4-2) has had five-match increments of extremes in 2017: a 5-0 start; then an 0-4-1 stretch; and now back to a high-five with a 4-0-1 record since an April 15 setback to Maine South.
“It was definitely tough to stay positive in that two-week stretch,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “Downers North is very good, the no. 1 seed in our sectional. (They scored on) a last minute corner against us, to lose on that was hard, but we've been there before and we know that game could have gone either way.
“Then you look at our game against Lake Forest. Though we didn't have a great game that day, they went on to upset Warren and Metea Valley, and ended up losing in the (PepsiCo) championship to St Charles North, who is very strong. That gave us some vindication for the loss -- we knew it was to a good team.
“So I really think we've tried to take little victories where we could from that stretch. Focus on fixing the problems so if we see any of those teams again, we can hopefully put on a better show.”
The Rams have returned to earlier form, outscoring their foes 21-2 (with four shutouts) during the five-match turnaround.
Several players have helped spark the turnaround.
“Elizabeth Toledo has cemented her spot in the center of the midfield,” Overbey said. “That's a move from forward to fill in for Amy Chiero, who is out with a broken wrist.
“And Mattie Pusateri and Sam Johnson have been playing really well in the back, making great complements to Katie Hansen and Paige Taylor on the backline.”
Coached by Morgan Kasperek (who played college basketball at Iowa), Glenbard West (7-5-2) has faced a steady diet of strong competition this fall -- and produced several impressive results.
The Hilltoppers earned a 1-0 win over Class 2A power Wheaton Academy (a defending state champion) on April 17, and also edged 2016 supersectional squad Minooka 2-1 earlier in the month.
Glenbard West’s trip to the Parkway Soccer Showcase in St. Louis also produced strong showings, including a tie with Missouri power Kirkwood.
Led by defenders Molly Becker, Sydney Peters, Teagan Ryan and Kat Kostolansky, the Hilltoppers have notched five shutouts this spring and allowed just one goal in three other matches. Emma Walsh leads the offensive attack.
“Morgan (Kasperek) has done a great job this year, and GW is playing really well,” Overbey said. “It’s always a great district matchup for us. They play fast and they play hard.
“Plus their conference (the West Suburban Conference Silver Division) has a bunch of our sectional opponents, so this will be a great measuring stick for us.”
The Hilltoppers come off a 4-1 loss to conference power Lyons on Tuesday, the latest challenge in a schedule with few if any cupcakes.
Saturday’s match with Glenbard East will be more of the same top level competition.
“Our defense is shutting teams down and our midfielders have been doing a great job of finding our forwards and supporting in the attack,” Overbey said of his team’s recent run.
“The key to the match for us will be in the midfield,” Overbey added. “We've sorted some stuff out the last week, and we're playing well in the midfield.”