Glenbard East looks to solve
South Elgin in key Upstate 8 battle
By Dave Owen
The forecast for 42-degree weather at game time may not follow suit, but the Upstate 8 Conference race will heat up at 6:30 p.m. Monday as South Elgin (4-2-2) puts its recent surge to a major test at Glenbard East (5-4-0).
Both teams enter the game undefeated in Upstate 8 play this year. And while Glenbard East (1-0-0) has become a postseason program to be dealt with (third in Class 3A in 2016, followed by two more sectional trips), South Elgin (3-0-1) has been a thorn in the Rams’ side.
In 2019, Glenbard East’s lone league loss was a 2-0 setback to South Elgin. Then after COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season, a shortened 2021 campaign included a 2-1 Storm win over the Rams.
One South Elgin player in particular has caused the most fits for the Rams. And entering Monday with five goals in her last three games, three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Katrina Barthelt will again be a major concern.
“A huge key to the game is limiting Katrina's touches,” Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey said. “She's a game-changer. The less time she has on the ball, the better chance we have of winning.
“We saw that last year. We did a great job of denying her the ball most of the game, when she had the ball getting bodies behind to defend. Then she got loose late and scored a great goal against the run of play.
“We'll need all-hands-on-deck,” Overbey said.
South Elgin, however, has hardly been a solo act this spring.
“We’ve had six-different goal-scorers and seven different girls earning assists,” South Elgin coach Laura Snow said, “so we are generating more attack than we have in years past. And we want to keep that momentum going from our last five games.”
That surge has produced a 4-1-0 record. The lone loss was a 2-0 setback to perennial power and ninth-ranked St. Charles North in a game that was scoreless at the half.
The Storm bounced back from that Thursday loss to blank Fenton 6-0 on Saturday. Barthelt and sophomore Angel Carrillo each netted two goals in the win and the defense earned its third shutout of the season.
“Our team can credit a lot of our recent success to our impressive goalie duo of Mallory Steuck and Karissa Cruz,” Snow said. “On the backline, Norah Steuck and Chloe Beucler have been a solid combo. Their combined leadership has given their team confidence to contain impressive attacking teams like St. Charles North and Freeport (a 3-1 win April 11).
“And Ella Dihel has stepped up to be a consistent presence in our attack joining Katrina Barthelt. When those two connect up-top, their creativity and energy are fun to watch.”
As the Storm brews, Glenbard East charges into the match with their own proven nucleus. Six were freshmen on Glenbard East’s 18-win varsity team of 2019.
“Our seniors have played a huge role for us over the past four years,” Overbey said. “They came in as freshmen and made an instant impact. Then unfortunately for them, they lost their sophomore year to COVID and their junior year was shortened and limited due to COVID.
“They are such a great group that it's hard to think about how much they've lost over the past two years. We've focused a lot on taking advantage of the chances we have to play. More than ever, it's very apparent that the opportunity we have this season is short-lived, and we have to be in the moment at all times. They've done a great job of focusing on each game and not looking ahead.”
They have been forced to mix versatility with that experience.
“I've been very happy with our teams ability to adapt as lineups and matchups dictate,” Overbey saud. “We're a little banged up, and we've had to ask a number of players to step up and into roles that aren't maybe their favorite.
“Sarah Liljestrand did a remarkable job defending the Dundee-Crown midfielder (Notre Dame commit Berkley Mensik). In that same game, Jasmine Dhamers scored a brace (two goals in the 2-1 Rams win). One (goal was) a great individual effort to get in behind and hold off two defenders to finish. The other was working hard to get into position to be dangerous and finishing the game-winner.
“Maia Zatarski is another player we've moved back into the midfield to get her some more touches,” Overbey added. “She's electric and can break the game wide open.
“And Sophia Sommesi is a player that has really come into her own. With her size and skill on the ball, we transitioned her from a forward into a defensive center mid. With her ability to win balls in the air, it really helps us protect the backline. Combined with Natalie Borcean, Haley Tu and Maddie Kiefer in the midfield which makes it one of our deepest areas.”
While a 4-1 loss to Morton on Saturday slowed the Rams, they had won three of their previous four games and have three shutout wins this spring.
“Brielle DeForest made a position change to anchor the center of the line this season, and she's been a rock,” Overbey said. “Julia Bereta is a freshman who came in Day 1 ready to compete at the varsity level. She has the poise and maturity of a senior.
"Hope McKenna and Ruby Campuzano have been great on the outsides and then we've leaned heavily on two sophomores (Ciara Johnson and Jamie Quirk) as situations dictate. We manage our defenders' minutes. Ciara and Jamie have been ready for any role thrown at them, which is impressive for two first-time varsity players.”
Which brings us to the impressive duel Monday. Both teams see the high stakes involved.
“We know Glenbard East is always a competitive game for us,” Snow said, “and we’re looking forward to it.
“Our number one priority is to shut down their opportunities on net and play smart in the defensive third. Our defense has put up a solid showing this season, and we look to continue that on Monday.
“Our team has done a good job of finishing, and we are hoping to find a way to break their backline and create enough pressure to come out ahead.”
Glenbard East’s busy week includes travels to West Chicago (Wednesday) and Willowbrook (Friday).
“This is a tough stretch for us,” Overbey said. “We're in the middle of a five-games-in-nine-days stretch, and this South Elgin game is extremely important as we try to get back to the top of the UEC.”
A conference title quest is also on South Elgin’s agenda.
“Our end goal is to come out on top of the Upstate 8,” Snow said, “We understand the importance of a game like this in the race to achieve that goal.
“I feel our girls are embracing the momentum of their recent games and will enjoy trying to make the most of a game against a competitor like Glenbard East.”
South Elgin in key Upstate 8 battle
By Dave Owen
The forecast for 42-degree weather at game time may not follow suit, but the Upstate 8 Conference race will heat up at 6:30 p.m. Monday as South Elgin (4-2-2) puts its recent surge to a major test at Glenbard East (5-4-0).
Both teams enter the game undefeated in Upstate 8 play this year. And while Glenbard East (1-0-0) has become a postseason program to be dealt with (third in Class 3A in 2016, followed by two more sectional trips), South Elgin (3-0-1) has been a thorn in the Rams’ side.
In 2019, Glenbard East’s lone league loss was a 2-0 setback to South Elgin. Then after COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season, a shortened 2021 campaign included a 2-1 Storm win over the Rams.
One South Elgin player in particular has caused the most fits for the Rams. And entering Monday with five goals in her last three games, three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Katrina Barthelt will again be a major concern.
“A huge key to the game is limiting Katrina's touches,” Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey said. “She's a game-changer. The less time she has on the ball, the better chance we have of winning.
“We saw that last year. We did a great job of denying her the ball most of the game, when she had the ball getting bodies behind to defend. Then she got loose late and scored a great goal against the run of play.
“We'll need all-hands-on-deck,” Overbey said.
South Elgin, however, has hardly been a solo act this spring.
“We’ve had six-different goal-scorers and seven different girls earning assists,” South Elgin coach Laura Snow said, “so we are generating more attack than we have in years past. And we want to keep that momentum going from our last five games.”
That surge has produced a 4-1-0 record. The lone loss was a 2-0 setback to perennial power and ninth-ranked St. Charles North in a game that was scoreless at the half.
The Storm bounced back from that Thursday loss to blank Fenton 6-0 on Saturday. Barthelt and sophomore Angel Carrillo each netted two goals in the win and the defense earned its third shutout of the season.
“Our team can credit a lot of our recent success to our impressive goalie duo of Mallory Steuck and Karissa Cruz,” Snow said. “On the backline, Norah Steuck and Chloe Beucler have been a solid combo. Their combined leadership has given their team confidence to contain impressive attacking teams like St. Charles North and Freeport (a 3-1 win April 11).
“And Ella Dihel has stepped up to be a consistent presence in our attack joining Katrina Barthelt. When those two connect up-top, their creativity and energy are fun to watch.”
As the Storm brews, Glenbard East charges into the match with their own proven nucleus. Six were freshmen on Glenbard East’s 18-win varsity team of 2019.
“Our seniors have played a huge role for us over the past four years,” Overbey said. “They came in as freshmen and made an instant impact. Then unfortunately for them, they lost their sophomore year to COVID and their junior year was shortened and limited due to COVID.
“They are such a great group that it's hard to think about how much they've lost over the past two years. We've focused a lot on taking advantage of the chances we have to play. More than ever, it's very apparent that the opportunity we have this season is short-lived, and we have to be in the moment at all times. They've done a great job of focusing on each game and not looking ahead.”
They have been forced to mix versatility with that experience.
“I've been very happy with our teams ability to adapt as lineups and matchups dictate,” Overbey saud. “We're a little banged up, and we've had to ask a number of players to step up and into roles that aren't maybe their favorite.
“Sarah Liljestrand did a remarkable job defending the Dundee-Crown midfielder (Notre Dame commit Berkley Mensik). In that same game, Jasmine Dhamers scored a brace (two goals in the 2-1 Rams win). One (goal was) a great individual effort to get in behind and hold off two defenders to finish. The other was working hard to get into position to be dangerous and finishing the game-winner.
“Maia Zatarski is another player we've moved back into the midfield to get her some more touches,” Overbey added. “She's electric and can break the game wide open.
“And Sophia Sommesi is a player that has really come into her own. With her size and skill on the ball, we transitioned her from a forward into a defensive center mid. With her ability to win balls in the air, it really helps us protect the backline. Combined with Natalie Borcean, Haley Tu and Maddie Kiefer in the midfield which makes it one of our deepest areas.”
While a 4-1 loss to Morton on Saturday slowed the Rams, they had won three of their previous four games and have three shutout wins this spring.
“Brielle DeForest made a position change to anchor the center of the line this season, and she's been a rock,” Overbey said. “Julia Bereta is a freshman who came in Day 1 ready to compete at the varsity level. She has the poise and maturity of a senior.
"Hope McKenna and Ruby Campuzano have been great on the outsides and then we've leaned heavily on two sophomores (Ciara Johnson and Jamie Quirk) as situations dictate. We manage our defenders' minutes. Ciara and Jamie have been ready for any role thrown at them, which is impressive for two first-time varsity players.”
Which brings us to the impressive duel Monday. Both teams see the high stakes involved.
“We know Glenbard East is always a competitive game for us,” Snow said, “and we’re looking forward to it.
“Our number one priority is to shut down their opportunities on net and play smart in the defensive third. Our defense has put up a solid showing this season, and we look to continue that on Monday.
“Our team has done a good job of finishing, and we are hoping to find a way to break their backline and create enough pressure to come out ahead.”
Glenbard East’s busy week includes travels to West Chicago (Wednesday) and Willowbrook (Friday).
“This is a tough stretch for us,” Overbey said. “We're in the middle of a five-games-in-nine-days stretch, and this South Elgin game is extremely important as we try to get back to the top of the UEC.”
A conference title quest is also on South Elgin’s agenda.
“Our end goal is to come out on top of the Upstate 8,” Snow said, “We understand the importance of a game like this in the race to achieve that goal.
“I feel our girls are embracing the momentum of their recent games and will enjoy trying to make the most of a game against a competitor like Glenbard East.”