T.J.’s ‘own goal’ helps Rams improve to 2-0

The Glenwood boys soccer team stayed perfect on the season with a 2-1 road win thanks to a fortuitous bounce off a Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson defender on Thursday.

With the match knotted at 1-1, a throw in by the Rams’ Trevor Stanley ricocheted off a Yellowjacket defender and into their own goal for what turned out to be the game-winner.

Glenwood coach Cory Lovato said the win was big for his team on a night they were short-handed. The Rams had just 13 players suited up and only one sub played all game.

“We only played one sub, Max Fiebelkhorn, and he was injured,” Lovato said. “He was able to tough it out and come off the bench and provide rest for 3 of our starters. We had eight boys play the entire 80 minutes, I know that has not happened during the five years I have been associated with the program. The boys showed how determined and unified they are.”

Thomas Jefferson got on the board first when a miscommunication among the Glenwood defense allowed the Yellowjackets’ Alejandro Chavez to slip a pass to Mateo Freeman for a goal in the 21st minute.

The Rams responded just before halftime on a 30 yard free kick from Kyle Jorgensen that bent around a wall of Yellowjacket defenders and into the net.

Lovato liked how his team didn’t get down and responded to being down 0-1.

“They regrouped and were able to pull out the win,” Lovato said. “The boys were able to control most parts of the game. Obviously with tired legs, we had some breakdowns, but the boys recovered when needed. It was a total team effort and the boys are proud to walk away with the win.”