Springfield MO Soccer

Class 3 Final

Glendale Falcons – 0
Rockhurst Hawklets – 3
This is the kind of game that is difficult to report. I consider myself an archivist, recording the history of the game as it happens, rather than a writer. The one sentiment that I felt throughout the game Saturday night was for every move, for every effort the Falcon’s made, the Hawklet’s had a response. Anytime it seemed the Falcon’s were prepared to gain some control over the contest, it was shut down. I’ll let Coach Michler, who’s CBC Cadets faced off against Rockhurst this Fall at Jefferson City, offer his breakdown of the game.

Rockhurst’s Double Marks Historic First

On a cold night in Fenton, Missouri at the Anheuser-Busch Center, Rockhurst showed their experience in being the defending State Champions as they eased past Springfield Glendale in the first ever Championship Game without a St. Louis team participating. The final score of 3-0 was well deserved and was an accurate barometer of the game.

Rockhurst took the opening center off and launched the first of many attacks as they drove the ball deep into the Springfield end of the field and kept it there until Jack Russell opened the scoring at the 9 minute mark. He rebounded a shot from Felipe Navarro, who recovered a short clearance from the Springfield keeper Jordan Pitts just outside the penalty area. Rockhurst made it very clear that their game plan was to attack and put Glendale under constant pressure.

After the initial goal, the game settled into more of a back and forth affair, with Glendale generating their attack through restarts and Rockhurst pressing the attack through the run of play. Glendale’s best chance came with 13 minutes left to play in the first half as the ball was played across the Rockhurst goal, but the two Glendale players were unable to direct it to goal.

With 4 minutes left to play in the half, Russell struck again. He received a pass in the box from TJ Lawless, the defender slipped as he approached, Russell turned with the ball, had a clear look at goal, and slotted in the big all-important second goal – on the stroke of halftime! Now Glendale really had to chase the game. Rockhurst appeared to be the fresher team throughout the night and never let Glendale get any clean looks to threaten Christian Krueger in the Rockhurst goal.

The first half ended 2-0 in favor of Rockhurst. The next goal, if there is one, can become very important. At 3-0, game under control – at 2-1, game on! So, Springfield came out in the second half with everything to play for, just get the next goal and get back in the game. Try as they might, it wasn’t going to happen. Rockhurst had an answer to anything Glendale wanted to do. Devon Newport tried to generate some offense for his Glendale team, but the Rockhurst midfield and defense were up to the challenge.

With 17 minutes left in the game, Felipe Navarro was played in by a nice passing sequence from Jack Russell and scored the necessary third goal to put the game on ice. His goal was a replay of the Geoffrey Hurst goal for England vs West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final when the ball hit the under side of the crossbar and rebounded down over the goal line. The referee did not immediately indicate a goal, but the linesman, in perfect position, raised his flag. Just as the Russian linesman did in ’66, he indicated to the referee that the ball did indeed cross the goal line to which the referee awarded the goal. Needless to say, Springfield was not happy with the decision. (Editor’s note: Coach Michler was seated on the South end of the field where the play happened, well within the 18 yard box and above the level of play).

Unlike the Final of 2007 when the headline read, Rockhurst Wins Championship on the Only Shot of the Game, this Final was a convincing and resounding victory with no ifs, ands, or buts. The Springfield Glendale team had the disadvantage of the double overtime, hard fought victory over DeSmet in the late Semi Final game. As much as it was in their hearts, it was not in their legs. They put up a valiant fight, but the night belonged to Rockhurst. Christian Krueger recorded his second consecutive clean sheet in a State Championship game. Felipe Navarro was my Man of the Match !

Congratulations to Chris Lawson, the assistant coaches and the players for their Championship and for the quality and sportsmanship that they bring to the game.

Terry Michler
CBC Coach

Class 3 3rd Place
DeSmet Spartans – 9
McCluer North – 1

The Spartans, ranked fifth among Post-Dispatch large schools, finished the season 18-8-1 as senior Justin Klenke led the way with two goals and an assist. Tyler Clasby had the goal for North (15-14-2).