Rams top Maine West at Springfest Classic
By Dave Owen

Young Glenbard East took more steps in its maturation process on Tuesday.

After a 2-1 loss to Benet in the morning round of the Springfest Classic in Schaumburg, the Rams (3-1-1) wasted no time bouncing back impressively with a 2-0 afternoon victory over Maine West.

“We only return four starters,” Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey said. “Last year we had 12 wins, one away from our school record, so we were worried about the question marks with a lot of sophomores. I definitely think we’re way ahead (of schedule).

“A shutout today, and then against Benet they had a free kick (goal) and we were pushing numbers forward so they scored on a jailbreak at the end, but I thought they (the Rams) played really well and looked way more mature than they should be for their experience. We’re really excited about that.  All in all 1-1 on the day, we’ll take that this early in the season.”

The Rams wasted no time getting ahead of Maine West, on a great combination play just six minutes into the match from sophomore Jordyn Fulton to junior Alex Ruffer.
Fulton’s pinpoint cross from 30 yards out on the left sideline connected with Ruffer racing in on the right wing. Ruffer’s low rocket into the net put the Rams quickly up for good at 1-0.

“It was a really good ball by Jordyn, and me just being in position,” Ruffer said.

Glenbard East senior goalkeeper Veronica Fairbairn’s nice save of a low 15-yard shot from the right side midway through the first half was about Maine West’s best threat in the entire game, as the Rams’ defense allowed limited chances. Kelly Ravenscraft’s nice play to break up a chance off a first half throw-in epitomized her performance.

“Kelly Ravenscraft is so solid in the back,” Overbey said. “She’s all over the place. And on the outside I thought sophomore Maria Berrum played well.

“We start six sophomores and a freshman so there’s a lot of inexperience back there, but I thought they played really well. Together they’re getting tight.”

The Rams were loosened up at the offensive end, even playing into the wind in the first half. Brittany Paganucci (nice attack on right wing and shot on goal) and Ravenscraft (shot just wide off a Ruffer corner kick) produced strong chances before the break.

Then with the wind the rest of the game, Glenbard East completely controlled play.
The Rams generated six shots in the first 18 minutes of the second half, three of them by Jess DeJong (including shots just over the net on a 30-yard direct kick and later a header).

DeJong’s next chance would pay off.

With 12 minutes to play, a nice cross from Ruffer set up DeJong’s sliding 20-yard shot into the upper corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.

“Alex crossed it,” DeJong said, “then I saw (the defender) running past me so I just cut it the other way, took a shot and it went in.”

DeJong also scored the Rams’ goal against Benet, a 30-yard free kick after Ruffer was fouled.

Despite the loss to the Redwings, the Rams benefitted from the experience.

“Benet was a good game going into the DVC (conference play),” DeJong said. “That starts next week (against Naperville Central), so that was a good test for us to help us get ready. A lot of (our players) are inexperienced in the DVC, so this was a good I guess you could say awakening for them, the first real big test.”

Of the newcomers, Paganucci has been an impressive attacker and sophomores Megan Mrazek, Jessica Whipple, Corie Ewoldt, Berrum and Fulton also make major contributions as starters.

“They have a lot of skill sets,” DeJong said. “It’s nice playing with them. We have good outside mids now – that’s how Alex scored her goal (off Fulton’s assist). That’s something we didn’t have last year on the outside: speed or as big of a touch.”

“The sophomores and Brittany have been stepping up huge,” Overbey said.
Overbey’s praise of the defense also included usual midfielder Taylor Hallcox, who shifted to defender Tuesday due to an injury to KJ Nelson.

“She (Hallcox) stepped up and did a great job,” Overbey said. “And fortunately we have Veronica Fairbairn, first team all-conference and all-sectional goalkeeper last year, so we always have her to rely on in the back.”

Relying largely on new faces hasn’t been a difficult hurdle so far for the Rams, and two more non-conference games this week (Friday against Jacobs and noon Saturday at Fenton) should further enhance the emerging chemistry.

“We’re young, so we should just keep getting better,” Ruffer said.