Springfield MO Soccer

Hot but beautiful evening tonight and a crowd that I would have to estimate at 600 plus. I’m being conservative with that number but you put a smile on my face and the players - well done folks! There is coverage from KOLR10/KSFX27, the News-Leader, and of course Christian County Headliner. I’ll point you to the stories as they come out.

I shot video tonight so there won’t be any pictures unless there are some family and friends who want to email me some of their shots. I’ll work on editing the video and making copies available to those who are interested in a couple of weeks, after my travel to Des Moines and St Louis this next week.

Thanks go out to the Referees who volunteered their time to support the game. They include …. Chris Shuler put the team together for us and he’s sending me the list, right Chris! In addition, Bob Florez for handling announcing duties, Eric Sorlie and Zach Alumbaugh for their efforts at the gate and other efforts preparing for tonights game.

Thank you to The Big Easy Grill - the best Cajun in Southwest Missouri. Stop by 3027 E Sunshine and introduce yourself to Hank Visio. Enjoy his Gumbo, Jambalay and Po’Boys and thank him for his support. I make certain to stop and eat there when I’m on the Southeast side of town.

Thank you to Nixa Dental Care. If Joe Kofron is half as enthusiastic and focused on his dental care as he is on supporting soccer in this region, you and your kids will be well taken care of for many years. Call 725-3108 for more info.

Thank you to The Copy Shoppe. Bryan & Michelle Baltz are not only soccer parents like you, with son Nick as part of the 1st All-Star game and son Patrick well on the way to representing in a two more years, they are also printers and members of Springfield’s Best. The program looked great didn’t it!

Thank you to Baywash Car Wash in Cassville. The Schlichtman’s are also All-Star parents, with Nick playing last year (and at Truman State now) while Ryan is on the radar for next year. Think about them the next time you’re on the West side of the Lake, eh. Roaring River is just South of their place.

The Springfield Demize have brought top-level soccer to Springfield, offering additional opportunities to our graduates, including former All-Stars Patrick Carver & Brian Fishback, and entertaining soccer. There are three home games remaining - this Saturday, along with June 29th and July 7th. 7:30 pm start time at Cooper #1. Come see the way they play at the next level!

Thank you to our contributors, that include Kim & Keith Chaffin (with All-Stars Sam & Ross Chaffin), Nadia & Howard Cavner, Tami & Rick Dorman. Thank you to the Glendale Boosters, Kickapoo Boosters, Ozark Tiger Boosters, Parkview Boosters, SpringHigh Select and Springfield Catholic Boosters.

Thank you to our in-kind contributors, whose donations allow us to put the game on. Lake Country Soccer, J&K Soccer and Electronic Video Systems provided the field, the game balls and top quality video gear. These are establishments where I shop.

How about the game. Despite the conditions, the play was entertaining and two way as these players love to compete. While it’s never easy to chose, we always offer a game ball to a player on each team who is chosen by the coaching staffs for their effort.

Tonights games featured some high scoring in the girls game, with Gold winning 5-2. Jessie Yach of the Nixa Eagles put in four goals for the Gold squad and opened some eyes on the sidelines, much like I’m sure she’ll do for Missouri Valley this Fall. Katie Rodriguez of the Neosho Wildcats and a future Missouri Southern Lion scored a very early goal (30 seconds) and made her teammates look good all evening for the Red squad. Congratulations ladies.

On the boys side, a 2-0 win for the Gold team was a nice going away present. Adam Peterson, Kickapoo and part of Alf Bilbao and Ryan Swans strong local recruiting effort at Drury, scored the first on a wonderful shot. Stephen Conner of Glendale and future teammate of Adam’s (and Alex Palmer) at Drury, earned the Red team award for making some incredible saves to keep it close the 2nd half. As someone on the sideline noted, he continues to intimidate.

That’s it for 2007. Look for information in mid-August this year about the 2008 game as we continue to learn what is needed to make this a better game, and a bit easier for us to put on. Us is Jeremy Alumbaugh and the Springfield Soccer Club along with me, Steve Ole Olson of SGFsoccer.com. Jeremy’s a good partner, unafraid of work and someone I trust to do the job properly. And he knows his soccer which helps immensely. Thanks Jeremy, thanks to the Coaches, players, families and friends for making this an event that is helping Springfield and the region to recognize the growing impact soccer has on this community year round.

Ciao!