Springfield MO Soccer

The Lafayette Lancers are a team that went from one of many young teams that could develop in the St. Louis area this year to a team that in the latest State Rankings went from zero to #15. Playing in the Suburban West, the team finished second behind Oakville (#16 in the poll and also a Class 2 Quarterfinalist) with a record of 5-1-1, losing 0-2 to Oakville on April 4th and tying Lindbergh 1-1 on May 5th. The only other blemish came in the final game of the season, against Eureka in a game they outshot their opponent 7-3.

The Lancers are now 19-2-1 on the year and finished first in their league for goals scored, 51, and with the best defense, allowing only 10 goals on the year. Their playoff record this year is now 3-0, shutting out Howell Central 2-0, avenging their loss to Eureka 1-0 in their District 9 Final , on a set piece by Melissa Lantz, and Thursday’s 2-0 shutout of Hickman.

Their 51 goals have come from sixteen seperate players and six players have 10 points or more. The statistical leader is senior Melissa Lantz (#12), who scored the second goal Thursday night. That goal gave her a total of 10 goals on the year, 3 of which were game winners. She is also the assist leader for the team with 11.

Additional threats include Korrie Klosterman (#27), a freshman midfielder with 9 goals, sophomore midfielder Emily Leeker (#11) with 7 goals, three of which were game winners, and freshman forward Nina Walters (#15) with 5 goals. Assist leaders include sophomore midfielder Nikki Rivera (#14) with 7 and senior defender Michelle Moody (#13) with 6.

Coach Davidson’s active effort to play outside the region this year provides us with three common opponents, two of whom played in Springfield as part of the Kickapoo Shootout in early April.

Parkway West beat Kickapoo 4-0 on April 8th, in the final of three games on what was a long weekend for everyone. Lafayette faced off against West the following Monday, April 10th and beat what must have been a tired team by the score of 2-1, getting goals from role players Samantha and Amanda.

Francis Howell is a team that Kickapoo beat 5-1 in their early game on Saturday at the Shootout. Two weeks later the Lancers shutout Howell by the score of 1-0 with Emily Leeker getting the lone goal while enroute to winning the St. Dominic/Howell North Shootout with three straight shutouts.

Late this season Kickapoo went to the Ursuline Tournament where they faced Bishop DuBourg in the first game. The Chiefs won 1-0 on PK’s, including Rachel Lavoy’s last appearance as part of the trio of PK’s scored to win the game. Two weeks later, Lafayette traveled to DuBourg where they won 3-0, outshooting their opponent 15-3 in the process. Goals came from Nikki Rivera, Emily Brcic and Nina Walters.

So what can the Chiefs expect on Saturday in Camdenton? I’m guessing that it will be a young, hungry team, anchored by a couple of key seniors in Lantz & Moody. A team that has faced primarily success in a season that wasn’t necessarily supposed to be that way. Meanwhile, Kickapoo has battled all year, facing injuries to key players on several fronts and then losing one of their senior captains in Rachel Lavoy. They also got lucky, facing a plucky and fast developing Glendale team in Sectionals rather then expected foe Rolla. A team that doesn’t have the range of weapons that Lafayette has exhibited. What does it mean for our hometown girls?

I think that it’s going to be a battle worth watching (that’s right, Springfield Soccer will be there) and one that will come down to desire. Kickapoo has the offensive weapons, but championships are won on defense first. Limiting mistakes and playing to their strengths (sorry Timmy, you’ll have to get that from somewhere else) can get them to State.

For those who will not be able to make the trip on Saturday, Meyer Communications is working with the Kickapoo Booster Club and some key sponsors to try and arrange for a live radio broadcast of the game. Depending on whether or not the Missouri State Bears are still playing baseball in the MVC tournament, the game will be broadcast on either “The Jock 98.7″ or “KBFL 99.9″ on the FM dial. The effort has been spearheaded by Rusty McLachlan and David Dorland as the entire Chief’s community is committed to ensuring that Rachel Lavoy will be able to take part in the game, even if it is during bed rest as she continues to recover from her recent surgery. A supply of popsicles and plenty of pillows may be in order Lori.

Update - the sponsors who have signed on for the radio broadcast include Jack E. Weimer CPA, A-Plus Payroll LTD, and Pepsi Company. Also many fine KHS parents and fans.