Glotzbach fills void for Glenbard West

Glenbard West's Scott Glotzbach broke the ice in a big way Thursday.

Having just moved from a midfield spot to a forward, the Hilltoppers senior scored his first 3 goals of the year in a 6-0 boys soccer win over Willowbrook in Glen Ellyn.

"We lost our starting forward, Kyle (Donegan) the other day, so it's been difficult," Glotzbach said. Donegan injured an ankle in a 1-0 win over Downers Grove North on Tuesday and is out indefinitely.

"With Kyle out I think Scott can fill the void," teammate Bryan Emanuel said. "He's been playing outside mid, but he played forward when he was a little kid so he's got it in him."

Glotzbach scored once in the first half and broke behind the Warriors' defense twice in the second half for a pair of finishes.

The Hilltoppers netted three balls in each half, with Angel Escobedo, Kris Szewczyk and David Cavazos counterbalancing Glotzbach's hat trick.

The Warriors managed the occasional dangerous foray into their attacking third on Thursday, but couldn't finish on a shot, as the Hilltoppers earned their second consecutive shutout in front of starting keeper Markian Popowycz, and second-half keeper Zack Watson.

"We haven't played together before, but the past couple games we've started to click," said Emanuel, who has moved from stopper to sweeper this year. "We've started to shut it down a little more."

Emanuel has not only defended all year, he has also provided one of the most dangerous throw-ins you're likely to see anywhere. The senior assisted on Escobedo's first-half goal, tossing a laser beam from the sideline to the far post, where Escobedo headed it home.

Emanuel has 4 goals and more than 10 assists this year, all thanks to his throw-in.

"It's a very dangerous weapon," said Hilltoppers coach Julio Lopez.

Escobedo and Cavazos also chipped in an assist for Glenbard West, which improved to 5-2-4 with Thursday's win.

"I'm very happy with the team so far," Lopez said. "Defensively we're getting better. Losing (Donegan) hurts us because we don't have a lot of forwards, but we have a lot of good midfielders and (Glotzbach) is improving up top."

"We don't have the great soccer talent of some teams, but we have athletes who do a very good job when everyone gives 110 percent," Emanuel said. "We have to give it everything we have."