South Central Reporter

in a June 7 Facebook post, Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) congratulated the Glenwood High girls' varsity soccer team for their state championship.

“Congratulations to the Glenwood High School varsity girls soccer team for making history and becoming State Champions," he wrote on Facebook. "Embrace the victory and enjoy your summer.”

Glenwood High defeated Benet Academy 2-0 during the IHSA State Championship on Sunday at North Central College.

In his Facebook post, Coffey shared a June 5 Facebook post from the Chatham Illinois Police Department, which wrote: “Over the weekend, the Glenwood High School varsity girls soccer team made history, and etched their name into the IHSA record books by earning the title of STATE CHAMPIONS. The Titans beat Benet Academy in the state championship game by a score of 2-0 in overtime to take home the state’s top honors. Congratulations girls, we are so proud of you!!!"

The 2023 varsity team featured 25 players.

In a June 3 article announcing the team’s win, the State Journal Register highlighted the team’s reactions and analysis. The team beat Lisle Benet Academy in a 2-0 double overtime feat. The state 2A Championship match was at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, on June 3. The Titans had a 22-4-1 season.

In the state semi-final on June 2, also at Benedetti-Wehrli stadium, the team bested Chicago De La Salle in a 4-1 match. The State Journal-Register noted that De La Salle was scoreless until six minutes to go, and ended up with a 17-4-4 season record.

“At the beginning of the game, I actually said, ‘Rowann (Law, a senior forward), you’re going to score today,’” senior teammate Erin Mansfield said in The State Journal-Register, “and she scored in the first few minutes and I was so happy for her.” 

In other news, Coffey shared a Facebook post on June 5 encouraging his constituents to nominate businesses for his June business spotlight. He shared a link to the nomination form and had this to say: “I encourage all who want to help support small and medium-sized businesses, to nominate their business for my June Business Spotlight!”

Coffey’s April Business Spotlight, announced on May 8, went to Cook’s Spice Rack, a diner on the north end of Springfield. Cook’s Spice Rack, owned by Fred and Donna Cook, closed in 2020 during the pandemic, and in 2021 Donna died. In 2022, Fred died, and their daughter, Goldie Harris took over, with her family. The restaurant reopened in April 2022 and they are emerging from the difficulties of the past few years.