Springfield MO Soccer

Congratulations to the young men recently named to the Springfield News-Leader’s All-Ozark Soccer team. This is one of the better jobs the News-Leader has done in recognizing a group of players that are talented and proven field leaders. Knowledgeable observers will overlook the classification of Tom Marlow as a forward and Heath Melugin as a midfielder (”what do you say we swap positions Tom? Cool Heath”)

Forwards
Tyler Williams, Kickapoo senior
Kickapoo coach Tom Davidson described his four-year starter as a “super dynamic player.” Williams finished his senior campaign with 14 goals and 10 assists.

Ryan Schlichtman, Cassville junior
Schlictman set a school record when he scored six goals in a game against New Covenant. The junior went on to score 30 goals and had 10 assists.

Tom Marlow, Parkview senior
Marlow scored 35 points for the Vikings in 2006 as the team’s set-up man, including a team-high 13 assists. He created countless scoring opportunities for teammates, said coach Clint Nurnberg.

Midfielders
Heath Melugin, Kickapoo junior
Melugin was on fire before he suffered a foot injury midway in the season. As Kickapoo’s go-to guy he scored 21 goals and had 12 assists in 15 games.

Danny Collins, Glendale senior
Coach Jeff Rogers said, “Danny was the kid we wanted on the field in front of the goal as much as possible.” A fierce competitor, Collins led the Falcons, who advanced to the state quarterfinals, with 15 goals.

Justin Scicluna, West Plains junior
Scicluna led the Zizzers with 23 goals. Coach Nick Schmitt said the aggressive midfielder really matured this season. He also finished with six assists.

Ryan Toombs, Bolivar junior
Toombs, a second team all-stater, was extremely solid in the midfield, and key in the Liberators’ ball distribution. The junior finished with 19 goals.

Defense
Alex Palmer, Kickapoo senior
An All-Ozarks selection last year, Palmer led Kickapoo’s defense to 13 shutouts and was invaluable to the Chiefs’ sectional appearance.

Jared Dusha, Glendale senior
Dusha was the vocal leader of a stingy Glendale defense. Falcon coach Jeff Rogers said the biggest impact Dusha made was positive leadership on and off the field. He also scored three goals from the backfield.

Tanner Roberts, Bolivar junior
After the first week of the season, coach Steve Fast moved Roberts back to the sweeper position. The first team all-stater was the team captain.

Goalkeeper

Stephen Conner, Glendale senior
They say defense wins championships, and according to Rogers, Conner is probably the most complete goalkeeper to ever play at Glendale. Conner allowed less than one goal per contest (.56 goals against average) and finished with 12 shutouts.

Second Team All-Ozarks
Forwards
Tyler Sinnott, Sophomore, Rolla
John Duncan, Senior, Joplin
Stuart Ziegler, Junior, West Plains
Ross Chaffin, Senior, Greenwood
Brett Murray, Sophomore, New Covenant
Midfielders
Adam Peterson, Senior, Kickapoo
TJ Martin, Junior, Webb City
Defenders
Chris Adamson, Senior, Greenwood
Sam Palmer, Senior, Glendale
Brice Hunt, Junior, West Plains
Goalkeeper
Zach Auala, Senior, West Plains

PS - it sounds like the News-Leader only included the first team on the website. If there is a subscriber out there who wants to share the second team information with me, I will add it to this report. Thanks! DONE