There are a few girls who haven’t begun soccer practice yet in the region. One of them is Tasha Lord who helped seal the Lady Tigers most recent win with her two free throws in the final second of the game.
Along with teammates Katie Pritchard, Erica Combs and Orielle Thomas, she’s focused on the Quarterfinal game against Columbia Rock Bridge. Coach Scott will have to wait a bit longer before he gets his seniors back onto the soccer practice field. Good luck ladies!
I had a very enjoyable evening last night attending the 4th annual Springfield SC Banquet. With over 450 in attendance, the Oasis Convention Center was overflowing with my kind of crowd – soccer junkies!
The featured speaker was NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year Dan Donigan, Head Coach for the St Louis University Billikens (pictured in the center with Bob Florez, Joe Kofron, Steve Eise and Jeremy Alumbaugh). Donigan and assistant Coach Dave Beck recently received a verbal commitment from Devon Newport to join the Billikens but due to NCAA regulations I couldn’t get a quote or even a photo so I’ll bring you the recruiting details from Devon’s standpoint next week.
What Donigan was able to talk about were his thoughts on what it means to be a collegiate soccer player and the steps a player can take now to prepare for that opportunity. It’s a familiar story but one that cannot be repeated often enough. Of the 30 players on the SLU roster, only 17 are receiving soccer scholarship money. There is not enough money available in men’s college soccer programs at the Division 1 level to help everyone. That, along with the rigors of essentially being a full-time athlete and a full-time college student, means that academics are critically important. By maintaining your grades now you demonstrate an ability to balance the responsibilities that will only increase at the collegiate level. You also increase the possibility of receiving academic scholarships that can supplement any soccer scholarship money that may be available. An important consideration at a private school like SLU that costs close to $40,000 annually.
There was one additional point that Coach Donigan emphasized. Entitlement. It’s an attitude, a sense of being owed a result. Don’t bring it unless you want to be disappointed. It’s a message that had every coach I saw nodding his/her head along with Donigan’s talk. I’m not going to belabor the point, I know my niece and nephews have heard it plenty from me. As a Sales Manager, all I can say is ‘earn the right’ to be heard, to play for a team, or more importantly to lead your teammates.
As I noted earlier, I had a great time last night. Soccer does that for me. Having an opportunity to meet Coach Donigan, only the fifth coach at one of the most storied programs in collegiate soccer and the measuring stick for D1 soccer in Missouri, was an added benefit. For other clubs in the region, consider a similar step. The banquet serves multiple purposes – recognition, community building, fund raising. It’s not cheap nor easy training, developing or competing with over 25 teams as Springfield SC does. But whether you have 3 teams or more, it can be a great way to get the word out and build your program.
Before I get off my soap box, I’ve got one more thing to say. Missouri State visits St Louis University in late September this year, for a game at Hermann Stadium. I asked Coach Donigan if we could expect SLU to visit Missouri State in the future, especially now that they’ve tapped the growing talent base this area has to offer. Based upon the response I got, I think there are still a few more things we need to do to earn that right. So here’s my idea – who would be prepared to join me for a road trip to St Louis on Saturday September 27th to cheer on the Bears at SLU? I want to rent one or more buses and take a very vocal cheering section to the game and send S Louis a message. Leave a comment or send me an email
Courtesy of Kelly Ross, Executive Director of Lake Country Soccer and newly appointed Southern District Commissioner. Thanks!
Missouri Youth Soccer held its 2008 annual general meeting and coaches workshop this past weekend in Independence, MO.
Coaching seminars were well run with the usual focus on small sided play and organization for the offense, midfield and defensive play. Ian Mulliner, Director of Coaching for the Illinois Youth Soccer Association was the keynote invited presenter, who put on two very good sessions. Dave Musso, women’s head coach at Quincy University was also a presenter. Attendance at this year’s event was extremely light, as compared to previous year’s event. One of the possible causes of drop in attendance, there was a world class coaching seminar also in the Kansas City area which included headliner Anson Dorrance as a key note presenter.
Other sessions which were conducted included Risk Management, a round table forum with the MYSA executive committee, a state cup forum on changes in state cup operations and other national issues which will affect state cup tournaments within US Youth Soccer, a session on the drafting an organization’s constitution and by-laws and district meetings.
Kelly Ross has accepted the Commissioner title for the Southern District after Jim McCarthy announced he was not seeking re-election for an additional term. No Alternate Commissioner has yet to be elected or appointed for the Southern District. A district commissioner serves as a liaison on behalf of the clubs designated to a geographic location by MYSA, on the state board. The appointment is for a two year term. The alternate commissioner’s term has one year remaining.
The MYSA awards banquet was held Saturday evening and included state awards including the Southern District Volunteer of the Year. Duane Moses, who has been a long time volunteer at Lake Country Soccer, was this year’s award recipient. Cory Carr, boys head coach for Springfield Soccer Club was selected as the MYSA Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. Other awards presented included the young referees of the year (boys and girls) other district volunteers of the year, the girls competitive coach of the year and the President’s Award, which went to Mike Summers (KC / board member) for his more than 16 years of involvement with MYSA. Ian Mulliner gave the keynote address at the awards banquet, while MYSA director of coaching served as master of ceremonies for the festivities.
A vendor area was available to attendees. The vendor area is an opportunity for businesses and/or organizations to promote and showcase their products and services for the soccer community.
The annual general meeting was conducted Sunday morning and lasted just 32 minutes; probably the shortest AGM in the history of MYSA. The state board meeting held afterwards, was a lengthy affair with a decision regarding the MYSA National Cup Series and the Toyota State Championship Cup which will be sure to generate considerable controversy for Missouri’s competitive teams. The State Association will be issuing a formal statement regarding the National Cup Series and the Toyota State Championship Cup in just a matter of days.
Next year’s AGM will be held in Columbia or Jefferson City as a matter of convenience for representatives from clubs across the state.
For the game – Kelly
PRESS RELEASE
The Missouri State men’s soccer team has received commitments from 13 student-athletes for the 2008-09 school year. The large group of signees features two goalkeepers and a host of midfielder/forwards for Bears head coach Jon Leamy, who enters his 17th year this fall.
Kory Dowell, St. Louis, Mo.
Bayless High School senior forward/midfielder Kory Dowell is the school-record holder for career goals (117), assists (78) and points (312). A first-team all-state selection his senior year, scoring 27 goals, 16 assists and 70 points, Dowell was a four-time first-team all-conference and all-district choice. A three-time conference mvp, Dowell was a two-time St. Louis Post-Dispatch all-metro honorable mention selection.
David Buckenheimer, Beaver, Pa.
David Buckenheimer is Beaver High School’s career scoring leader with 92 goals and 87 assists. The forward/midfielder led Beaver in assists in each of his four seasons and was on two Section 5 – Class AA championship teams. The Section 5 – Class AA Player of the Year as a senior, Buckenheimer ‘s 2007 all-region selection was the first in school history. He was a three-time all-section and all-district performer.
Connor Sullivan, Mansfield, Texas
Connor Sullivan joins the Bears following a standout career at Mansfield High School. The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper enters his senior season as a two-time fi rst-team All-District 4-5A selection.
Edin Sabic, Erie, Pa.
Edin Sabic, a native of Zagreb, Croatia, enjoyed a standout high school career at Cathedral Preparatory School. Sabic was a member of four District 10 and Region 6 championship teams and was a 2007 all-state and All-Region II selection as a senior. He was a four-time all-metro and all-district choice.
Editors note – Sabin was featured in his local paper recently after is committing to MSU.
Michael Lapira, Lake Charles, La.
Forward Michael Lapira was a member of St. Louis Catholic High’s 2007 state championship team. Lapira was selected to the 2007 NFCAA/Adidas High School Boys All-Region VI Team. Other awards bestowed upon Lapira include: first-team all-district, district offensive mvp and all-state; state finals most valuable player; state of Louisiana most valuable player.
Anthony Cantele, Wichita, Kan.
Anthony Cantele established the Kansas state record for goals scored in a career (118) in his four-year career at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School. The high scoring forward led his team to two fourth-place and two second-place state finishes. He was a three-time first-team all-state, all-region, all-city and all-metro selection.
Heath Melugin, Springfield, Mo.
High-scoring center midfielder/forward Heath Melugin led Kickapoo High School to a third-place state finish in 2007. Melugin wrapped up his Kickapoo career atop the following categories: career points, career assists, points in a season, assists in a season, and second in career goals (115) and goals in a season (55). A first-team all-state selection in 2007 and second-team choice in 2005 and 2006, Melugin was a four-time all-district, all-conference and all-region pick. The 2007 first-team all-Midwest selection and three-time all-Ozarks choice, Melugin was a two-time district most valuable player and three-time Kickapoo MVP. Melugin was a four-time Region II ODP club team member which competed internationally.
Cameron Miller, Woodstock, Ga.
Midfielder/forward Cameron Miller enters his senior season as a starter and all-county selection in each of his previous three years. Millers’ extensive club soccer experience includes four years as a member of RPL Region III NASA 08 Elite squad, which won its regional in 2007. Miller is also a four-year member of the YES – Team Georgia ODP team.
Gerard Barbero III, Marietta, Ga.
Midfielder Gerard Barbero III enters his senior season at Lassiter High School as a three-year starter and reigning high school offensive player of the year. He was a teammate of fellow signee Cameron Miller of the RPL Region III Nasa 08 Elite squad which won regionals in 2007 and a member of the YES – Team Georgia ODP team.
Thomas Vania, Kennesaw, Ga.
Three-year starter Thomas Vania enters his senior season at North Cobb High School looking to improve upon his team’s fourth-place state finish a year ago. The defender was also a member of the 2007 Atlanta Cup championship team.
Jordan Hoffman, Chesterfield, Mo.
Three-time all-Suburban South selection Jordan Hoffman was a 2007 second-team all-state and St. Louis all-metro pick. Parkway Central’s leading goal-scorer this season with 27, Hoffman led the St. Louis area with 11 game-winning goals in 2007.
Jordan Barnes, Florissant, Mo.
First-team all-state and St. Louis all-metro forward Jordan Barnes will join the Bears this fall. Barnes was selected Christian Brothers College High School’s offensive most valuable player in 2007.
Nikolas Markos, Hartland Wis.
Two-time all-state goalkeeper Nikolas Markos recorded 49 shutouts in his four-year career at Arrowhead High School. A two-time all-conference selection and member of three regional high school championship teams, the 6-foot-2 Markos compiled a 0.31 goals against average in high school.
PRESS RELEASE
2008 Spring Break Soccer Camp
March 17, 18, 19 and 20th at the Springfield SC Indoor Facility
Monday through Thursday
9:00am-11:30am, U6-U9 boys & girls
12:00pm-2:30pm, U10-U13 boys & girls
Boys & Girls Ages 6-13
$60.00 per player (Includes T-Shirt) — Enrollment IS Limited – Register Today!!!
Looking For A Way to Stay Soccer Sharp over the Spring Break?
Then the Springfield Soccer Club Spring Break Camp is for you! Train over the break with the Springfield Soccer Club Professional Coaching Staff. This camp will focus on individual skill development, with a special emphasis on creative attacking play. Small-sided games will allow you the chance to practice your attacking skills in game situations.
Springfield SC – Spring Break Soccer Camp Registration form
