Springfield MO Soccer

I’m going to whisper in your ear a little secret you may not know about… The Springfield Demize sponsor a Reserve squad made up of 15-18 year olds who train with the team and are featured in a game before every home PDL match. This weeks game had them facing off against local club, SpringHigh Select. Coaches Alf Bilbao and Tommy Fulmer brought their U17 team, supplemented with three U19’s who are all Drury signees (Stephen Conner, Adam Peterson and Danny Collins).

It was an entertaining match that saw both teams attacking with regularity. While SpringHigh struck first with a goal by Danny Collins (Glendale) from the left side, the Reserve team created a number of opportunities that tested the SpringHigh defense (pictured). Early in the 2nd they broke through when Willis Zirschky (Marshfield) was able to turn the corner on the left side. His hard low cross across the face of the goal was knocked down by Conners (Glendale) and bounced off the left upright, caroming across the face of the goal before being tapped in by Isreal, a very talented 18 yo from KS who is training with the Reserve this summer. It took a quality goal by Adam Peterson (Kickapoo) to earn the 2-1 win in the early summer heat. Adam came back to win a ball in the SpringHigh defensive third before turning and dribbling down the middle of the Reserve defense. His shot from the right side of the box struck the underside of the crossbar in the upper 90 before crossing the endline. Wonderful individual effort and a sign of what Bilbao will be looking for at Drury in the Fall.

Speaking of individual performances, Adam Legg’s performance in goal for the Reserve shows he’s ready for his senior year at Kickapoo and his battle with Chris Tombridge for playing time. The Chiefs will be very strong on the back line in Phil Hodge’s first season as Head Coach.