This Week in Soccer

Is it really Labor Day this weekend?

I’ve barely touched the soccer calendars that have been piling up on my desk since I’m evaluating the alternative web calendars that are available these days. I’m trying to find a better way to compile the many schedules in order to share them with you and ensure that Springfield Soccer is the definitive source of soccer information in the Ozarks. So if you have a game you consider important coming up, feel free to send me a note and give me some visibility on it. Otherwise it may be a couple weeks before I have a good view of the big picture.

That being said, the big news this week is the start of the High School season. There are several good games I am aware of, depending on how far you want to spread your wings.

Tuesday I’ll be in Nixa taking in the Christian County derby as Ozark visits as a Class 3 squad to take on their favorite opponent. On the same evening, the Kickapoo Chiefs will be in Rolla taking on the Bulldogs and offering a glimpse at the relative strength of these two traditional powers. We have to wait until next week to see what Glendale is capable of, as well as the Greenwood Blue Jays in Class 1.

Parkview has a couple of good games on their calendar this week with Carthage visiting Thursday evening and the Jefferson City Jays making their only foray to the Southwest part of the state on Friday evening. I anticipate making at least one, if not both, of those games. There is also the Willard Tournament this Friday and Saturday that will feature Bolivar, Webb City, Hillcrest, New Covenant & Monett. I expect to spend some time Saturday taking in a couple of games.

Drury is hosting four women’s games this weekend, with a pair of afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday. The men will play three games, on Friday and Saturday night and then on Monday afternoon.

The MSU men are headed to Creighton this weekend to take part in the tournament up in Omaha. The women play against SLU on Tuesday evening, in St. Louis, but I can’t see anything else on the Athletic site other then the staff directory. Except that ‘game against Memphis” the men played August 23rd that keeps scrolling by. In 2005.

What is up with the Sports Information department over there? Oh wait, the Cardinal’s were playing the Cubs this weekend so I guess we know where Stillwell was. Does anyone else think it’s strange that AD Bill Rowe has his email address automatically forwarded to his secretary? When University President Mike Nietzel publishes his directly? I happen to know that Mike’s email still goes to his secretary since I’ve exchanged email with him but at least make it look like you’re open to communicating with the public by hiding that on the back end.

OK, enough of my rants. Are you ready?