Springfield MO Soccer

I’ve got three stories lined up for everyone in anticipation of tomorrow’s Class 3 Final Four in Fenton, MO. The first is courtesy of Coach Mike Howard, Rolla Bulldogs.

A Brief History
A quick history of Southwest Missouri’s soccer success, or lack thereof, in the state quarterfinals. Things started very well in the early 90’s with Southwest Missouri sending four teams to the final four in the first seven years of the decade. Glendale led the way with fourth place finishes in 1991 and 1994. Rolla made the journey to St. Louis in 1993 coming home with a fourth place trophy after losing both games 1-0. In 1996, Kickapoo brought home the regions best finish ever, a third place tie with Hazelwood Central for whom current Waynesville head coach Josh Scott started. Thus began a ten year drought since 1997 that Kickapoo ended Saturday with their 4-3 win over Ft. Zumwalt West.

Glendale led the decade of futility with five quarterfinal appearances, losing to Hickman, Lafayette, DeSmet, Chaminade and Vianney. Rolla and Kickapoo had three chances each to end the streak with Rolla losses coming at the hands of Hickman, SLUH and Francis Howell North, while the Chiefs lost to Oakville, Jeff City and SLUH. Bringing us to 2007 with the regions teams knowing that the last team standing had a real chance to advance to the state final four due to the level of competition in the region this year.

Saturday’s quarterfinal vs. Ft. Zumwalt West
I awaited the quarterfinal match-up with great anticipation for two reasons. I really felt that Kickapoo would win giving our region some much needed credibility. Also, Phil and I graduated from the same high school (Sedalia) and I consider him a friend.

The Chiefs got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. After a start like that it is hard for high school players to maintain focus and intensity. Before long Ft. Zumwalt West had climbed back into the game and we had ourselves a great final fifteen minutes of soccer in which Kickapoo’s keeper, Adam Legg, made two spectacular saves. The first was a diving save to his right which he not only stopped, but caught, allowing for no follow up shot. The second is one of the better high school saves that I have ever seen. Adam was diving to his left to make a save when the ball was deflected toward the opposite post. He somehow was able to extend his right foot and re-direct the ball wide of the far post. Unbelievable! If a goal is scored, Ft. Zumwalt West has all of the momentum going into overtime and Kickapoo is in real trouble, but he made the save and the Chiefs advance.

Kickapoo Chiefs
This is a solid high school soccer team with a good blend of creative players and ball winners. As I have already discussed they may have the X factor in post-season soccer, a hot keeper.

I won’t go into great detail about the team, as that is not fair to Phil or his team, but some general info is in order.

Heath Melugin (pictured, #10 in gold, committed to Missouri State) is the real deal, a solid player, and easily the best player in our region. He makes the Chiefs go with his soccer ability and his leadership. It is his team. Classy kid as well.

Brock Ruggeri, Kyler Temple (committed to Drury), Skyler Russell, Lane Chapman and Ryan Moses give them a very balanced attack. All can hold the ball, are capable of finding the back of the net and playing some nice finishing passes.

Zach Hay anchors the back line. He is strong in the air, takes all of the long re-starts and is dangerous coming forward for corners and long throws.

Tyler Bennett, Colton Sexton and Quincy Conduff are quick, tough and adequate defenders.

As we discussed earlier, Adam Legg is playing very confident right now in goal.

Phil is in his first season as a head coach and I think it is fair to say he a done a tremendous job.

I don’t expect Kickapoo to be intimidated by their opponents; they have no reason to be. On September 14th in St. Louis they beat Mehlville 7-1, led by Heath’s hat trick. This team has only been shutout once, by Chaminade a day earlier 0-3. They will create some chances this weekend; however they are prone to give up some goals also. I do not anticipate a 1-0 game in the semi-final against Rockhurst.

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Thanks Coach. Great background on the history of the game and preparation for this weekend. I’ll be back later today with previews of the other three teams in the tournament, courtesy of Coaches from their area as well. While Coach Howard noted it wouldn’t be fair to give away too much, the truth is there are no secrets among the coaching ranks in this state. Each team is going to be well prepared as their coach has reached out among friends and colleagues in the state. I’ve only asked them to share some of those same thoughts with us so that we can better understand what is happening on the pitch this weekend.

I’ll also have a brief survey of resources available around the AB Soccer Complex, some travel suggestions (get there early!) and directions. Come back this afternoon.