Springfield MO Soccer

In the first of what could be three matches this season, the Glendale Falcon’s threw off the mantle of failure against their in-town rivals, earning their first win since Districts in 2004. The 1-0 win came on a goal by junior captain Lou Opfer in the 33rd minute off a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Emily Jordan. Jordan was able to get the ball up into the wind where it bent wickedly towards the net. When the ball got past the goalkeeper, Opfer was there to push it across the endline.

The game was well played, as both teams came prepared to earn bragging rights. With 20+ mph winds and temperatures dipping into the low 40’s, the only good news is that it wasn’t raining. The girls didn’t appear to be affected however as both teams endeavored to keep the ball on the ground and move it up the wings. While the Falcon’s appear to have a bit more team speed, this is as closely matched as I have seen these teams in four years of competition. As the Glendale Soccer website notes

The Falcons have lost their last five matches against the Lady Chiefs. The last time the Falcons were victorious was a four overtime thriller to win the district championship on May 21, 2004. This series has been very streaky. The Falcons won all of the meetings in 2003 and 2004. Kickapoo won all of the meetings in 2005 and 2006.

Kickapoo went to the Final Four in 2002, in 2003 and 2004 Glendale had Maddie Senkosky and Heidi Bushman to rely on while the Chiefs countered with Lavoy and Weimer in 2005 and 2006. This year? Glendale has two seniors who have started since they were freshman during that 2004 season - sweeper Mindy Neal and GK Laura McElroy who finally got another win against their friends (my interview with the two of them post-game failed due to the wind noise). They also have senior Lauren Bettlach (pictured, a transfer from Catholic as a sophomore, after she played in the Final Four as a freshman) along with four key juniors - Opfer, Maggie Schrier, Jamie Bond and Ashleigh Dallas.

Kickapoo relies on juniors Chealsey Russell (pictured) and Katy McLain, along with senior Kelsey McLachlan and juniors Abby Ussery and Jessica McCutchen (GK). Both squads have some very talented sophomores and freshman but as Coach Rogers noted at the end of the match, the ability to protect a single goal advantage can determine championships. That often requires experience.

Round two will come on May 9th at Kickapoo. Both squads move onto this weekends Kickapoo Shootout that could generate some excitement as well. See you there!