Springfield MO Soccer

Class 1 Semifinal

Springfield Catholic - 1
John Burroughs - 2
The game this afternoon was slow to develop, as both teams came out unwilling to make a mistake in early goings. Catholic in particular showed the effects of their first visit to the Final 4 as their first touch on the ball was below their own standards. Despite that fact, it was the Irish who had the first opportunity in the box, from a set piece following a foul in front of the Burrough’s bench. Neither team had a real opportunity in the first half although Burrough’s controlled play.

The Irish broke through in the 47th minute when David Bailey controlled a high ball at the top of the circle. His simple ball to Justin Bowenschulte allowed Justin to hammer a shot from 21 yards out that found the side netting at the far post. The Irish awoke the sleeping giant with that goal, opening up the game. Moving #5 Martin up from his defensive position, the Bomber’s applied the experience that had brought them this far, with Martin taking a lead role.

The game-tying goal was scored in the 58th, when Martin was able to make a run to the endline on the right side. His cross into the six-yard box was deflected into the net off of a Catholic defender, somehow finding space just inside the upright. The game-winner came in the 69th, as Martin stepped in to put a ball into the net with a shot off the outside of his right foot, following a pair of opportunities on a corner kick that Catholic was unable to clear.

Catholic will face St Pius (KC) at 10am on Saturday while the Bombers move onto the Title game against Vince Drake and his Trinity squad at noon, as the North side and South side square off once again for bragging rights. Burroughs (17-10-1) is in the midst of chasing a historic end to its season. The Bombers have never won a state championship despite participating in two previous title games (2003, 2006).

Class 1 Semifinal

Trinity Catholic - 3
St. Pius X (KC) - 1
Hat trick by Joe Pieper (thanks Frisco!)
Post-Dispatch - After a Pieper goal put Trinity up 1-0 in the first half, St. Pius (22-4) evened the score with a Conor Parrish goal six minutes into the second half. Pieper responded with his second goal midway through the half, tapping the ball past St. Pius goalkeeper Zach Guthier after receiving an entry pass from Kevin Murphy. Pieper put the game away six minutes later. Pieper took a pass from Corey Kinnison at midfield, split the St. Pius defense and put a shot between Guthier’s legs to make it 3-1.

Trinity advances to face Burroughs in the Title game. It will be the teams’ third consecutive postseason meeting. Burroughs also beat Trinity in the district final the previous two years, but with a district reshuffling the two will meet this time with a state title on the line.