Rams get plenty of players into scoring act in win at Romeoville

 

 

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By Curt Herron

Coaches are always pleased whenever their team dominates possession, involves a lot of players in scoring and limits their opponent's chances.

Kent Overbey got to see his Glenbard East squad excel in all three of those areas in Tuesday's 7-0 nonconference victory over host Romeoville.

The Rams won their second straight match and also their sixth in their last eight outings after finding the net for a season-best seven times.

Eight different individuals had a hand in those goals, an encouraging sign for a team that has struggled at times to connect for scores.

Leading the scoring for East (8-6-3), which had scored five goals against Addison Trail and Resurrection, were its trio of captains.

Erin Mrazek collected two goals and an assist while Jessie Grumstrup and Lindsey Paganucci each contributed a goal and two assists.

Alex Ruffer added a goal and an assist while Jess DeJong and Andi Erguven also added scores for the Rams, who grabbed a 3-0 halftime lead.

Gabriella Roth chipped in with two assists and Gina Rodriguez also contributed to a score on the cold and misty afternoon in Romeoville.

Ram keeper Veronica Fairbairn only had to record one save during each of the halves in order to collect her eighth shutout of the season.

Much of the credit for that goes to the defensive efforts of players like Meghan Mumenthal, Megan Nelson, Katie Difino and Nicole Darga.

"We're pretty happy with where we're at right now," Overbey said. "We came out here and were able to get in front of the goal and finish some chances, which has been a problem for us the last two years.

"We've been able to spread the ball around well with Lindsey Paganucci and Sadie Moore up top and Jessie Grumstrup, Alex Ruffer and Erin Mrazek through the center of the field.

"Meghan Mumenthal did a great job in the center of the field. She along with Megan Nelson and Katie Difino locked things up nicely and were the start to our attack by feeding to our center midfielders."

 

 

The Rams went to their reliable combination of Paganucci and Mrazek about 10 minutes into the match for the only goal that they would need.

Paganucci, the team's goals leader for three years, sent a corner kick to Mrazek, who has been the Rams' assist leader over that same time.

East continued to threaten during the next 20 minutes, beginning with a liner from DeJong that was hauled in just before it reached the net.

In between a shot try from Grumstrup that went a bit high and one from Erguven that was wide, Paganucci had another effort that was denied.

The Rams finally connected again in the 31st minute when Grumstrup fired a line drive off the crossbar which fell straight down for a goal.

Ruffer got into the act in the 38th minute after she made a long run downfield and connected on a short shot to make it a 3-0 at the break.

It was more of the same during the final half, which wound up being shortened by seven minutes after the visitors scored their final goal.

During the 48th minute of play, Paganucci connected from close range, following a pass from Grumstrup for the Rams' fourth goal of the day.

A little over two minutes later, Rodriguez sent a cross toward Erguven, who fired in a close attempt to put the Rams up by a 5-0 score.

The Rams had a nice combination in the 43rd minute when Paganucci sent a pass to Roth, who tried a shot which DeJong got a final touch on.

"We're making more good runs and getting the ball to the net and also taking good shots and starting to finish better," DeJong said.

"A lot of us are close, so it's easier playing with good friends. Good weather makes a big difference and not playing in rain or snow helps."

East kept applying pressure over the next few minutes, beginning with an attempt by Roth and ending with one from Moore which were denied.

In between those two shots, Jordyn Hargreaves had a pair of great chances but the first hit the crossbar and the next bounced off the post.

The Rams finally connected again during the 66th minute when Mrazek sent a grounder that seemed to elude defenders before it found the net.

All in all, a pretty satisfying win for a Rams team that now sets its sights on finishing DuPage Valley Conference play on a positive note.

East hosts West Aurora on Thursday and hosts Wheaton North next Tuesday. With a pair of wins, Overbey's squad would finish in fourth place.

"We had a tough week last week with the Plainfield North tournament getting canceled," Overbey said. "It's been tough because of the weather but the girls have stayed positive and that's they key.

"This is definitely a good stepping stone heading in to our next-to-last conference game against a tough West Aurora team. We wanted to record the shutout and continue to progress defensively, as well."