Fortunately for me, I’ve discovered that the majority of you don’t come here because of my journalistic skills. We know newspapers are dying, so I am here cover the game we love and that’s good enough for you.
That is all to explain my feeble attempt at a May Day (and the day is a good one so far, eh) headline and a feature story for you in advance of the game tonight between the top 2 seeds in Class 1. The #2 Bolivar Liberators visit #1 Springfield Catholic and the varsity teams will square off at 4:30 pm.
The Liberators, like many teams in the region, have been influenced by the growing quality of the underclassmen joining their teams. In 1999 the US Women won the World Cup here in the USA and all those 6 year old girls are now freshman and sophomores and contributing to their varsity squads. Kaelie Archer (#6) on defense and Jonna Welch (#27) at forward are a pair of freshman to keep an eye on tonight as the Liberators test themselves against arguably the best team in the Region, regardless of class.
Catholic have two of the best freshmen in the region in Rachel Scott (on the left) and Natalie Smid (on the right). I caught up with them following their win in PK’s against the Glendale Falcons last week. They are pictured with Tara Bailes (middle), who will be wearing Missouri State maroon next year.
Here’s what they had to say following that win: Rachel Scott & Natalie Smid, Catholic (it’s a .WAV file) You’ll hear Rachel first, then Natalie describing Rachel’s saves as it continues.
Best friends and pretty good teammates I’d say, focused on the play of others rather than their own play. How good are they? I asked Coach Rob Brewer, Missouri State University, who was in attendance and here’s what he had to say about Natalie
Natalie makes other midfielders better. She is very technical and understands the game well.
What should you watch for? Not only her touch (how close does she keep the ball) but what does she do off the ball? She anticipates very well, putting herself in position to support her teammates and she is thinking several steps ahead so that before she receives the ball, she already understands where her pass will go. Or runs that she will make that create space for her teammates. It’s a package folks and this is the player that will be running the midfield after Tara graduates.
As to her BFF Rachel, Coach Ben Timson noted very early this season that she could be the best goalkeeper he has ever had at Catholic which stretches to the beginning of the program. As noted in the interview, she had to make a pair of reaction saves in OT to keep Glendale from winning. Two things that stand out for me is the confidence her teammates have in her, which allows them to press for the goal when they need it. And more importantly, the confidence she has in herself. It was like interviewing Bruce Sutter or any baseball closer of the past generation. It’s not the save that was missed, it’s the next shot that’s important. Key qualities.
So I’ll be out there to watch their progression, and the development of all the players on the pitch. How about you?
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