Glenbard East ready to go

Glenbard East was ready from the start of Tuesday's DuPage Valley Conference boys soccer match in Lombard. Glenbard North was not.

The Rams scored in the second minute, added another goal in the second half and won 2-0.

"There was some good energy at the beginning of the game," Rams coach Josh Adler said. "It was good to get that first goal and establish some things."

"We're struggling with being mentally ready for the games, and when the whistle blows it takes us a little while to get into it. That's something we've been working on," Panthers coach Greg Chrisman added. "There was a series of five mental mistakes. They could have scored 2 goals there."

John Reece scored the Rams' first-half goal, and sophomore Tyler Ford knocked in a goal off the crossbar in the 66th minute.

After a tough start Glenbard East (2-4-1, 1-0) is undefeated in its last three games and looking to build some momentum.

"The struggle at the beginning of the season finding the back of the net," Adler said. "We just couldn't produce things going forward. We started finding ways to score some goals now. We've got some different guys scoring.

"The biggest thing was learning how to compose themselves in front of the net and learning to produce opportunities on frame. We're starting to get more opportunities on frame. Guys are finding ways to put the ball in the back of the net, which is making a big difference."

The Panthers (2-7, 0-3) are struggling, especially with captains Matt Pablo and Jake Tenut out due to injuries.

"The second half we just didn't have anything," Chrisman said. "It just didn't seem like we wanted it second half. And then we let them tuck away that second one, it's heartbreaking."