Valentine’s Day included some strong Club play this year, as SpringHigh Select brought in a pair of regional squads for some round-robin friendlies. I made it out for the 4:30 pm final match with the Columbia Pride.
Games were played at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm and were officiated by Drury Panther men’s players who were also out selling beverages, snacks and of course Raffle tickets. Time is running out, have you purchased your tickets yet?
Enjoy the photos.
Springfield Spirit – 10
Springfield Demize – 9
In our own little border war with the Spirit (IL), the Demize charged back from a 5-1 half time deficit on Saturday, outscoring the visiting Spirit 8-5 but never catching their rivals. It was a lively game, especially in the second half, as Brett Thomas lifted his teammates up on his back and attempted to get the win. While scoring only one goal himself, his drive and effort charged up his teammates and created opportunities. Goals were scored either on strong shots taken outside the box or from the side as the Demize were able to get three forward and create a man-advantage.
Unfortunately, the defense was unable to hold off the Spirit who featured a pair of physically strong and imposing players who also showed strong capabilities at holding the ball and getting into scoring position themselves. Twice the Demize gave up goals shortly after scoring when attackers gave up the ball in the midfield. A quick counter-attack and the momentum was stalled.
Goal scorers during the game were:
Season results saw the team finish 4-5, third of five teams in the Division with a goals against differential of -12 which was primarily fueled by the 5-25 difference in two games with the Kansas City Kings, the defending champions.
From the Indiana Statesman article
The hiring comes after former head coach Vernon Croft announced in October that he would be stepping away from the head coaching position at the end of the 2008-2009 season.
Before her hiring at Indiana State, True served as an assistant coach under Mick Lyon at Indiana University in Bloomington. For three seasons, True helped build the goalkeepers for the Hoosiers. She helped make Indiana a conference leader in the goal.
In 2006, the Hoosier goalkeepers allowed more than one goal just three times throughout the whole year. Only twice did teams score more than two goals in a game against IU in the 2005-2006 season.
Before her tenure at Indiana, True served as a coach for Missouri Valley rival Creighton Bluejays. She began as a graduate assistant before being named a full-time assistant coach in 2003.
As a player, True served as team captain for Bowling Green in 2002. At the end of her career, she held every Bowling Green goalkeeper record there is for single-game, season and career.
From a press release, Feb 12, 2009
BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University head soccer coach Benjamin Wade has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to his 2009 recruiting class.
“I think that this is going to be an excellent recruiting class. It’s one of our best because all of the signees are potential starters.” said Wade.
The freshmen that will be joining the Bearcats this fall are:
Emily Downing, Yorktown Jeff City, MO – Defender
Dani Granholm, Broomfield, CO – Forward
Cynetha Henderson, Westerville, OH – Forward
Lauren Muniz, Temple, TX – Wing
Halee Ruckman, Sedalia, MO – Defender
Taylor Vick, Owasso, OK – Midfield / Forward
Lisa York, Raymore, MO – Defender
The Bearcats will open the 2009 season on August 19th on the road against Quincy University.
From the Norwalk (CT) Reflector:
Kelly Caldwell called Missouri home for part of her life.
The Norwalk senior is going back to the Show Me State for academics and to play soccer at Missouri State University.
“I was born in Missouri, my mom is 45 minutes from Springfield and my dad was born in St. Louis,’’ Caldwell said. “My mom went to school there and I have family that lives close to there.’’
“Last year, she was an all-around leader for us,’’ Norwalk coach Rob Young said. “She was one of our go-to players. It will be an adjustment period, but with her ability and upbringing, I think it will be an easy transition and I think she’ll do fine.’’
Caldwell, a center/mid who also played defense and outside mid, earned the team’s Tough Gal and Midfielder of the Year awards this season, as well receiving postseason honors and playing in the North Central Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association all-star game.
The Drury Men’s Soccer Team is hosting a spring break soccer camp on campus from March 23 – 27th, with a half day option of 9:00 – 12:00 and a full day option of 9:00 – 3:00pm. All proceeds from this camp will go to our fund-raising drive to take the team to England this summer. The details are:
Drury Men’s Soccer Spring Break camp:
Boys and girls camp
Ages: 5-13
½ day: 9:00am – 12:00pm $75
Full day: 9:00am – 3:00pm $100
Camp will be staffed by Drury Men’s soccer players and coaches and All campers will receive a camp t-shirt
Drury Panthers Spring Break Camp Registration Form
Contact Drury University Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Ryan Swan @ 417-873-7830 or rdswan@drury.edu
Well, we had a nice group out last night, with two dozen taking advantage of the VIP room and it’s 8 leather chairs and three screens while the dining area and the bar saw another 15-18 folks enjoying the game. I enjoyed the chicken wings during the game (breaded, available in several flavors) and the enchiladas during a late lunch while I watched France vs Argentina leading up to the US vs Mexico game.
I think even Buddy thinks Landon Donovan had a good game and if there are any complaints, it was that there were a couple of players it would have been nice to see before the game ended. How was your watch party?
BTW, that is the Florez family in the middle photo, or at least a portion. Bob Florez, his father Jose (first coach at Kickapoo HS) and eldest grandson Joseph (Parkview HS asst). Thanks for introducing us to the new Q in Springfield Soccer.
Congratulations to Jen Simeck, who has been named head women’s soccer coach at Westminster College. Simeck will begin her duties immediately, while completing her graduate degree in Middle School Education at Drury University in Springfield.
Simeck has been serving as a graduate assistant women’s coach at Drury since 2007 and she has additional experience coaching on the club level. She is a 2006 graduate of Drury, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She played collegiately at Drury and played in 73 matches during her career.
Simeck replaces Joel Wallace who coached the Westminster women for four seasons. Wallace remains at Westminster to coach the men’s team.
This is a great opportunity for Simeck, and for Westminister who compete at the D3 level in the St Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) against Fontbonne, Webster and other schools. Alaina Williams (Kickapoo) played as a freshman at Westminster, maybe we’ll get her out on the pitch again. And I know there are a 100 young women out there that Jen has coached as a Middle School volunteer over the past five years which means she’ll have an immediate impact on recruiting here in Springfield. Represent!
According to the Roblee Report, the KC Brass will actually be holding tryouts this year, despite their previous policy Tryouts at Player Combine March 14 at WJC. Players must be 18-23 age.
Profile & $50 fee required by March 1st. E-mail Tryouts@kcpace.com to begin process.
24 players have been drafted/signed pro after playing with KC Brass (PDL).
