Team preview: Glenbard East
By Dave Owen
Few programs have come so far, so fast as Glenbard East.
The Rams had never won a regional before 2016, when they grabbed that prize and so much more en route to a Class 3A state semifinal appearance that spring.
Two more sectional appearances followed, and if not for an upset loss to Young in the 2019 regional final, the Rams’ strong 18-5-2 season last spring would have added more postseason honors to the school trophy case.
Now comes a new year, and more reasons for optimism.
“The season outlook looks very positive with eight returning starters,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “It’s a huge motivator losing on our own field (to Young) last year. We didn't even wait for tryouts to finish before we started bringing that up.
“That's a fire that's been on a slow burn for nine months. Hopefully we get a chance to crank it up.”
Standing in the way of cranking it up is the COVID-19 virus, which has delayed the soccer season as part of essentially shutting down the world.
When the season starts, Glenbard East’s many reasons for optimism will start at goalkeeper and roll forward up the field.
Senior Lisa Stranski (0.61 goals against average in 25 matches) and sophomore Zoe Romano (0.42 GAA) combined to post 16 shutouts at goalkeeper in 2019.
“(Stranski) is very strong in controlling her six, and great with balls up high,” Overbey said.
“Zoe made huge strides in the offseason. She put in a ton of work with ODP and has really come into her own. She controls the final 1/3 well, has great foot skills, and is an incredible shot stopper.
“They mostly split time last year,” Overbey added. “(And) with both keepers making huge strides in the offseason, we hope to improve on that shutout number.”
The defender corps is led by senior Summer Garcia, who earned all-conference honors last year.
“Summer has transformed into a very dangerous center back,” Overbey said. “She steps forward well and starts the attack, and she's dominant in the air and in the 1-v.-1.”
Garcia and junior Kendall Crackel each scored two goals at defender spots in 2019.
“(Crackel) is a great compliment in the center of the back,” Overbey said. “She works well with Summer, reads the game and never gets beat over the top. She’s tall, and aggressive in the air.”
Senior Molly Galvin provided strength at outside back, and had two goals and nine assists.
“A huge surprise last year,” Overbey said. “She stepped into a starting role from Day 1 and really became a dangerous outside back.
“She’s great in the 1-v.-1, and has the motor to get up and down the field all day. She'll work from our backline all the way to the other teams six-yard box.”
Sophomore Ruby Campuzano also made an impact a year ago.
“Ruby played big minutes last year as a freshman,” Overbey said. “Just as she was starting to cement herself as a starting outside back, she was sidelined with a concussion. But she came in strong this year and earned a starting spot.”
Sophomore Haley Tu is a top newcomer at defender.
“A very smart, defensive-minded player,” Overbey said. “She'll play big minutes in reserve on the backline, as well as cycling through the midfield.”
At midfield, sophomore Maia Zatarski (seven goals, four assists) comes off an all-conference freshman season.
“She’s maybe the most technically strong freshman we've ever seen,” Overbey said. “Her ability to create chances for her teammates and score herself is unmatched.”
Fellow sophomore Natalie Borcean (six assists) brings her own Scrabble-worthy skill description to the midfield.
“A conundrum for the opposition,” Overbey said. “She’s your typical defensive center mid in that she's big, physical, and dominant in the air. She does all the dirty work that screens our backline.
“But she’s not your typical defensive center mid in that she's technically very strong. She can just as smoothly slide into an attacking center mid role or even up top. She's a Swiss army knife.”
Junior Sophia Heatley scored four goals at midfield in 2019.
“Sophia played a huge role for us last year, cycling through all the positions in the midfield,” Overbey said. “She's grown as a player, and cemented herself as a starting attacking mid.”
Senior midfielders Ellie Shuert (three assists) and Sophia Bachman each chipped in two goals last year.
“Ellie is one of the smartest players we've ever seen,” Overbey said. “She understands the game and what we need her to do. She can play any position on the field, and is a great playmaker in the midfield.
“Sophia is a very technical player that we can use in the midfield and in the back. We'll rely on her heavily in both (spots).”
While top scorer Lindsey Novak (26 goals) has graduated, the Rams remain strong at forward.
Elaine Wesling is one big reason: the senior comes off a 12-goal, 13-assist all-conference season.
“She has tons of experience as a three-year varsity player,” Overbey said. “She spreads the field well with her speed and has a natural finisher’s nose for the goal.”
Sarah Liljestrand (three goals, 14 assists) is another all-conference player from a strong sophomore class.
“She had an incredible year as a freshman,” Overbey said. “She played outside back and forward. In any given game, she's the fastest player on the field. Her speed is game-changing, and we'll look for her to split the load up top.”
Another player looking to help carry the offensive load is freshman Jasmine Dhamers.
“She’s fast, technical, and a finisher,” Overbey said. “We expect big things from Jasmine over the course of the next four years. She can stretch the field, she can possess, and most important, she can put the ball in the back of the net.”
With a good mix of talent and experience at all 11 positions, the Rams figure to keep building on their rapid ascent.
“The biggest question mark will be how we replace 48 goals last year from Novak (now playing at North Central), (Amy) Chiero (now at Denison) and (Maddie) Weltin (Sockers DA). With Liljestrand making the move up-top permanently, we’ll lean on her for more (scoring).”
The main concern the Rams have is common among all teams.
“This break has been tough,” Overbey said. “It’s hard to keep it focused and positive, not seeing the players every day like we usually do.
“The main thing we’re focused on is fitness. Technical work is very important, but with how much these kids are playing year round, a little break won’t hurt.
“They have work to do every day,” Overbey added. “It gets them out of the house a little and is a nice break from the e-learning (with schools closed).
“We’re just trying to stay connected. And make sure when we get the chance (once the season starts), we take it.”
Click here to see the Rams team page!
By Dave Owen
Few programs have come so far, so fast as Glenbard East.
The Rams had never won a regional before 2016, when they grabbed that prize and so much more en route to a Class 3A state semifinal appearance that spring.
Two more sectional appearances followed, and if not for an upset loss to Young in the 2019 regional final, the Rams’ strong 18-5-2 season last spring would have added more postseason honors to the school trophy case.
Now comes a new year, and more reasons for optimism.
“The season outlook looks very positive with eight returning starters,” Rams coach Kent Overbey said. “It’s a huge motivator losing on our own field (to Young) last year. We didn't even wait for tryouts to finish before we started bringing that up.
“That's a fire that's been on a slow burn for nine months. Hopefully we get a chance to crank it up.”
Standing in the way of cranking it up is the COVID-19 virus, which has delayed the soccer season as part of essentially shutting down the world.
When the season starts, Glenbard East’s many reasons for optimism will start at goalkeeper and roll forward up the field.
Senior Lisa Stranski (0.61 goals against average in 25 matches) and sophomore Zoe Romano (0.42 GAA) combined to post 16 shutouts at goalkeeper in 2019.
“(Stranski) is very strong in controlling her six, and great with balls up high,” Overbey said.
“Zoe made huge strides in the offseason. She put in a ton of work with ODP and has really come into her own. She controls the final 1/3 well, has great foot skills, and is an incredible shot stopper.
“They mostly split time last year,” Overbey added. “(And) with both keepers making huge strides in the offseason, we hope to improve on that shutout number.”
The defender corps is led by senior Summer Garcia, who earned all-conference honors last year.
“Summer has transformed into a very dangerous center back,” Overbey said. “She steps forward well and starts the attack, and she's dominant in the air and in the 1-v.-1.”
Garcia and junior Kendall Crackel each scored two goals at defender spots in 2019.
“(Crackel) is a great compliment in the center of the back,” Overbey said. “She works well with Summer, reads the game and never gets beat over the top. She’s tall, and aggressive in the air.”
Senior Molly Galvin provided strength at outside back, and had two goals and nine assists.
“A huge surprise last year,” Overbey said. “She stepped into a starting role from Day 1 and really became a dangerous outside back.
“She’s great in the 1-v.-1, and has the motor to get up and down the field all day. She'll work from our backline all the way to the other teams six-yard box.”
Sophomore Ruby Campuzano also made an impact a year ago.
“Ruby played big minutes last year as a freshman,” Overbey said. “Just as she was starting to cement herself as a starting outside back, she was sidelined with a concussion. But she came in strong this year and earned a starting spot.”
Sophomore Haley Tu is a top newcomer at defender.
“A very smart, defensive-minded player,” Overbey said. “She'll play big minutes in reserve on the backline, as well as cycling through the midfield.”
At midfield, sophomore Maia Zatarski (seven goals, four assists) comes off an all-conference freshman season.
“She’s maybe the most technically strong freshman we've ever seen,” Overbey said. “Her ability to create chances for her teammates and score herself is unmatched.”
Fellow sophomore Natalie Borcean (six assists) brings her own Scrabble-worthy skill description to the midfield.
“A conundrum for the opposition,” Overbey said. “She’s your typical defensive center mid in that she's big, physical, and dominant in the air. She does all the dirty work that screens our backline.
“But she’s not your typical defensive center mid in that she's technically very strong. She can just as smoothly slide into an attacking center mid role or even up top. She's a Swiss army knife.”
Junior Sophia Heatley scored four goals at midfield in 2019.
“Sophia played a huge role for us last year, cycling through all the positions in the midfield,” Overbey said. “She's grown as a player, and cemented herself as a starting attacking mid.”
Senior midfielders Ellie Shuert (three assists) and Sophia Bachman each chipped in two goals last year.
“Ellie is one of the smartest players we've ever seen,” Overbey said. “She understands the game and what we need her to do. She can play any position on the field, and is a great playmaker in the midfield.
“Sophia is a very technical player that we can use in the midfield and in the back. We'll rely on her heavily in both (spots).”
While top scorer Lindsey Novak (26 goals) has graduated, the Rams remain strong at forward.
Elaine Wesling is one big reason: the senior comes off a 12-goal, 13-assist all-conference season.
“She has tons of experience as a three-year varsity player,” Overbey said. “She spreads the field well with her speed and has a natural finisher’s nose for the goal.”
Sarah Liljestrand (three goals, 14 assists) is another all-conference player from a strong sophomore class.
“She had an incredible year as a freshman,” Overbey said. “She played outside back and forward. In any given game, she's the fastest player on the field. Her speed is game-changing, and we'll look for her to split the load up top.”
Another player looking to help carry the offensive load is freshman Jasmine Dhamers.
“She’s fast, technical, and a finisher,” Overbey said. “We expect big things from Jasmine over the course of the next four years. She can stretch the field, she can possess, and most important, she can put the ball in the back of the net.”
With a good mix of talent and experience at all 11 positions, the Rams figure to keep building on their rapid ascent.
“The biggest question mark will be how we replace 48 goals last year from Novak (now playing at North Central), (Amy) Chiero (now at Denison) and (Maddie) Weltin (Sockers DA). With Liljestrand making the move up-top permanently, we’ll lean on her for more (scoring).”
The main concern the Rams have is common among all teams.
“This break has been tough,” Overbey said. “It’s hard to keep it focused and positive, not seeing the players every day like we usually do.
“The main thing we’re focused on is fitness. Technical work is very important, but with how much these kids are playing year round, a little break won’t hurt.
“They have work to do every day,” Overbey added. “It gets them out of the house a little and is a nice break from the e-learning (with schools closed).
“We’re just trying to stay connected. And make sure when we get the chance (once the season starts), we take it.”
Click here to see the Rams team page!