‘Tough duo’: Meet the two Division I center backs for Chatham Glenwood girls soccer

ROCHESTER — Two is better than one.

The Chatham Glenwood girls soccer team touts not just one but two NCAA Division I center backs: senior Ali Matthews and junior Haden Vlcek.

Matthews signed with Western Illinois University this past December while Vlcek verbally committed to Indiana University in September.

“They've both got good size and strength and like I said, a lot of experience, so they read the game well, and they're not afraid to go in hard on the tackle and everything,” Glenwood coach Jay Lipe said. “That's a tough duo, along with our outside backs, to deal with on most days. It's been a real blessing.”

Strong rapport

Each also bears all-state accolades from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association: Matthews in 2021 and Vlcek in 2022.

They initially teamed up on the same club team around 10 years old and share a connection that is second to none.

“I love Ali so much and I think we work well together,” Vlcek said. “We're just always talking to each other, and we have such a good friendship outside of the game that just translates. We can communicate and know where each other's at, and she's obviously great.”

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That rapport is not exclusive.

Glenwood’s back line also includes senior Carly Wilcoxen, sophomore Delaney Kyes and freshman Caroline Cody.

Junior goalkeeper Abigail Stephens replaces former standout Gigi Yurevich, now at D-II Maryville University. She summoned a prodigious diving save in the second half to preserve a 3-0 shutout win over Rochester on Tuesday, April 25.

The Titans currently stand at 12-4-1 overall and 6-0 in the Central State Eight Conference after Tuesday's 3-0 nonconference win over Alton.

“I think that's what makes our back line so strong is our friendship and being able to talk to each other and let each other know certain things,” Wilcoxen said. “If Haden gets on me, I know it's nothing personal and I'm just like, 'OK, I need to be better.'”

Security net

Wilcoxen didn’t take the field until last season.

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the first season, then a knee injury nixed her sophomore year. She feels 100% now.

“I got hurt the week before tryouts my sophomore year and I was devastated,” said Wilcoxen, who also participated in cross country and basketball. “But I was so excited to get out there and play with all of my friends. We've been talking about playing high school soccer together since we were little and it's awesome playing with Ali and Haden back there.”

Wilcoxen can always count on Matthews and Vlcek.

“I like to get up into the attack and I know that they have my back,” said Wilcoxen, who had three assists through the first 13 matches. “If I lose the ball at top or something, I know I can get back and help defend but they can cover me.

“Haden's always been like, 'Oh yeah Carly, go up, go up.' But they're awesome back there. They're always talking and they're helping everybody out.”

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Matthews and Vlcek certainly don’t mind going on the attack either. They combined for 10 goals and three assists last season.

They want to score just like anyone else.

“We definitely like to get our chances,” said Vlcek, who scored two penalty kicks in the win over Rochester for a total of four goals this season. “The whole back line trusts each other and covers for each other.”

But defense is their primary forte.

Vlcek dispelled any notion of switching over to the offense.

“I don't think Lipe would go for that,” Vlcek said.

Contact Bill Welt: 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA girls soccer: Chatham Glenwood soars behind Matthews, Vlcek