Scheufler goal lifts Glenbard North in OT
A measure of what kind of season it has been for the Glenbard North boys soccer game could be seen Tuesday night in the team's postgame meeting - nothing but smiles.
For good reason. The Panthers (11-1, 5-0 DuPage Valley Conference) had just beaten visiting Naperville North 1-0 in overtime, putting Glenbard North alone atop the DVC standings and, according to coach Gregg Koeller, giving his team an excellent addition to its resume at the upcoming sectional seeding meeting.
"Going into the overtime, it had been a game of ebbs and flows. I thought (Panthers goalkeeper Nathan) Chalus came up huge and I thought their goalkeeper (Riley Wiest) came up with huge stops," Koeller said. "I knew it was not going to be a 4-3 game, a 5-3 game. I knew it would be low scoring. We wanted to try and keep their offense off the board and try to steal one (goal)."
Chalus finished the contest with 11 saves.
The winning goal came 3:23 into the first overtime period courtesy of junior Jacob Scheufler. He sped down the left wing and got a pass from senior defender Isaya Ebengo, then deposited the ball into the opposite side of the net.
"We came into the game even with one another and it was important to keep a clear head. We don't have one guy that does everything. Everyone can do everything," Scheufler said.
It was the second straight overtime victory for Glenbard North. On Saturday the Panthers defeated Metea Valley 1-0.
"My mind is racing right now," Chalus said happily. "This win shows where the program has come."
Glenbard North returns to DVC play Thursday at Wheaton North, with league games against Lake Park and Neuqua Valley also remaining.
The first of Naperville North's two best scoring chances in the second half came about 15 minutes in. Chris Sullivan went on a breakway, split the defense and forced Chalus to make a diving save.
With 1:30 left in regulation, Nick Carballo's shot was stopped by Chalus with Ethan Harvey a foot or two in front of him, waiting for a rebound that didn't happen.
"It was a great game. We had our chances and didn't put them in. It's a tough way to lose, but hats off to Glenbard North," said Huskies coach Jim Konrad.
He said the Huskies (10-3, 3-1) will need help in the conference race. They return to league play Thursday at Neuqua Valley. Naperville North also has league games remaining against Wheaton Warrenville South, Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley.
Wiest made 6 saves for the Huskies.