Neuqua Valley seeks to continue Glenbard East's rude introduction to Upstate Eight
New conference member catches no breaks in schedule
By Dave Owen
Glenbard East hasn't coasted into its first season in the Upstate Eight Conference. It started in high gear.
Coming off a 2-0 loss Tuesday to Metea Valley in their league debut, the Rams (5-3, 0-1) face another formidable Valley Division foe at 4:30 p.m. Thursday when they host Neuqua Valley.
The Wildcats (4-1-1, 2-0) rolled past East Aurora 9-0 on Tuesday as Lauren Ciesla and Amy McNeel scored two goals each and Kiley Czerwinski and Kayla Monis had a goal and an assist.
Neuqua Valley defeated Metea Valley 2-1 March 26 in conference play. The Wildcats only loss came in a nonconference match to highly regarded Naperville North. Expectations are high.
“We need to start playing more consistent,” said Wildcats coach Joe Moreau, who guided the St. Charles girls program to five-straight state titles in the 1990s. “At times we have looked very good, but then we'll have a drop in our level of play.”
Three players have consistently stood out.
“Lauren Ciesla is playing great in the midfield,” Moreau said, “and Alyssa Bombacino and Kiley Czerwinski make us dangerous up top.”
Glenbard East’s challenges go beyond a week of facing strong opponents.
“Our main concern is our health,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “We're missing both of our starting forwards (two time all-conference Brittany Paganucci and second leading scorer Holly Ward). We're banged up after a tough game against Metea last night. We need to recuperate quickly and be ready to go, and then do it all over again for New Trier on Saturday.”
While the Rams and Wildcats have never met, the Rams and Paganucci have already earned respect.
"Glenbard East is a nice addition to the Upstate 8,” Moreau said. “They’re having a very nice season so far. And Brittany Paganucci is a very special player. She’s a great player who will give us fits.”
Coming over from the talent-rich DuPage Valley Conference, Glenbard East has wasted no time to meet the elite of the Upstate 8.
Thursday marks the first-ever meeting between the Rams and Wildcats.
“Obviously the first time you play a team there is going to be some uncertainty,” Overbey said. “However we came to the Upstate from a highly competitive conference. We know what it takes to grind out tough games and be loaded up with tough weeks.
“We had Metea last night, Neuqua tomorrow, and New Trier on Saturday. That's about as hard of a week as any team will face, probably any team in the country. But we have experience with tough weeks. We've played Naperville North, Naperville Central, and Wheaton South all in the same week. Our players are focused and we'll be ready.”
Overbey also has familiarity with the Wildcats.
“We get out and see most of our tough opponents,” he said, “so we're prepared for the formations we'll see and our defensive shape.”
All five Rams’ wins this season have been by shutouts. They have also been very competitive with top competition, except for a rough first half against Naperville North (a 6-1 loss).
“We felt we had a good game last night against Metea,” Overbey said.
“Two minor mistakes and we lose 2-0. We had some chances late to pull it back, but couldn't convert.
“Neuqua is such a quality program that we can't afford to make any mistakes. They have the talent and ability to make you pay at any time in the game.”
New conference member catches no breaks in schedule
By Dave Owen
Glenbard East hasn't coasted into its first season in the Upstate Eight Conference. It started in high gear.
Coming off a 2-0 loss Tuesday to Metea Valley in their league debut, the Rams (5-3, 0-1) face another formidable Valley Division foe at 4:30 p.m. Thursday when they host Neuqua Valley.
The Wildcats (4-1-1, 2-0) rolled past East Aurora 9-0 on Tuesday as Lauren Ciesla and Amy McNeel scored two goals each and Kiley Czerwinski and Kayla Monis had a goal and an assist.
Neuqua Valley defeated Metea Valley 2-1 March 26 in conference play. The Wildcats only loss came in a nonconference match to highly regarded Naperville North. Expectations are high.
“We need to start playing more consistent,” said Wildcats coach Joe Moreau, who guided the St. Charles girls program to five-straight state titles in the 1990s. “At times we have looked very good, but then we'll have a drop in our level of play.”
Three players have consistently stood out.
“Lauren Ciesla is playing great in the midfield,” Moreau said, “and Alyssa Bombacino and Kiley Czerwinski make us dangerous up top.”
Glenbard East’s challenges go beyond a week of facing strong opponents.
“Our main concern is our health,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “We're missing both of our starting forwards (two time all-conference Brittany Paganucci and second leading scorer Holly Ward). We're banged up after a tough game against Metea last night. We need to recuperate quickly and be ready to go, and then do it all over again for New Trier on Saturday.”
While the Rams and Wildcats have never met, the Rams and Paganucci have already earned respect.
"Glenbard East is a nice addition to the Upstate 8,” Moreau said. “They’re having a very nice season so far. And Brittany Paganucci is a very special player. She’s a great player who will give us fits.”
Coming over from the talent-rich DuPage Valley Conference, Glenbard East has wasted no time to meet the elite of the Upstate 8.
Thursday marks the first-ever meeting between the Rams and Wildcats.
“Obviously the first time you play a team there is going to be some uncertainty,” Overbey said. “However we came to the Upstate from a highly competitive conference. We know what it takes to grind out tough games and be loaded up with tough weeks.
“We had Metea last night, Neuqua tomorrow, and New Trier on Saturday. That's about as hard of a week as any team will face, probably any team in the country. But we have experience with tough weeks. We've played Naperville North, Naperville Central, and Wheaton South all in the same week. Our players are focused and we'll be ready.”
Overbey also has familiarity with the Wildcats.
“We get out and see most of our tough opponents,” he said, “so we're prepared for the formations we'll see and our defensive shape.”
All five Rams’ wins this season have been by shutouts. They have also been very competitive with top competition, except for a rough first half against Naperville North (a 6-1 loss).
“We felt we had a good game last night against Metea,” Overbey said.
“Two minor mistakes and we lose 2-0. We had some chances late to pull it back, but couldn't convert.
“Neuqua is such a quality program that we can't afford to make any mistakes. They have the talent and ability to make you pay at any time in the game.”