Monthly Archives: March 2010

Monday Soccer Report – Ozark And LogRog Open With Wins

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Logan Rogersville Wildcats, GK

Logan Rogersville Wildcats, GK *

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 1 (via PKs)
Carthage Tigers – 0
At halftime, both teams have had one good opportunity with Carthage’s shot on goal stopped well by Wildcat GK Kelsay Leingang who got down fast in front of a ball headed for the corner. LogRog has had several opportunities in the box but the only shot went wide right past the upright.

The game went to PKs following a pair of scoreless OT periods that saw both keepers making important saves to keep the clean sheets, including the save by Leingang of LogRog who stopped the Tiger’s #12 who made a 40 yard run into the box before unleashing the close range shot that was pushed wide in the 2nd OT. The win goes to to the Wildcats as they open the season for the second straight year with a win in extra time over their COC foe.

UPDATE – From the Carthage Press: Rogers said Logan-Rogersville scored on two of its penalty kicks after the clock ran out while Carthage was unable to convert on any of its free chances.

UPDATE – Lebanon Yellowjackets vs Helias Crusaders – canceled due to field conditions, scheduled to be played April 30th now

Ozark Tigers – 1
Springfield Catholic – 0
The Tigers scored in the 17th minute tonight as freshman Morgan Davidson looped a ball to the far post, reminiscent of Clint Dempsey’s recent goal for Fulham. Not a bad introduction to the varsity for the Coach’s daughter as the Tigers held on to defeat the Irish.

The game went through several cycles with early pressure by Catholic until the Tigers began finding openings down the center of the field. Ozark was playing a 3-2-3-2 formation tonight, with Rachel Haden and Megan Stodden both positioned as defensive midfielders/stoppers in front of sweeper Megan Jenisch. The central midfield role was filled by Megan Davidson initially, or Megan Gunnels when she would move back from her front-runner position where she began with Alicia Collard. With Stodden or Haden making forward runs based upon conditions, the Tigers were able to get numbers in the middle while offering a stout defense against the Irish’s potent attack.

Hemphill was the busier keeper tonight and made several important saves, especially late as Catholic began to solve the defensive riddle they faced with the unusual formation. She pushed one shot up and over, followed that with a point blank save she pushed wide and finished with a little help from her outside defender, Keysha Burns, who cleared a shot that got past her keeper (see video below), all in the final 5 minutes of the game.

The Irish, with a pair of quality keepers, opened with Rachel Scott who was hamstrung by the early goal and came up big on a late opportunity that she parried and was cleared off the line by Carsen Baron, fresh from her basketball adventures (along with 4 other soccer teammates). Megan Goetzinger got help from her defense on one broken play and came up big on several late counter-attacks by the Tigers to keep the Irish close.

Spring Cleaning

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Kyler Temple, Springfield SC - 2005 State Cup

Kyler Temple, Springfield SC - 2005 State Cup

As we begin the High School season, a bit of reflection is in order and a request or two.

This particular story is number 4066 in the five year history of this site. That’s right, 5 years and over 4000 stories. There are also more than 25,000 free photos as well as thousands of photos for sale. Preserve memories of your favorite players and support this site. Did I mention the several hundred videos and counting?

I began this “experiment” five years ago with the start of the Girls season in 2005, at the same time I was coaching my niece and a group of her teammates on the JV1 squad at Pershing. The Catholic vs Kickapoo game on April 2nd will be the formal anniversary. The site quickly grew beyond what I thought it might be and now draws 400-800 visitors a day during the season and over 75,000 visitors in the past year.

If you run a business targeted to an affluent, educated market with kids at home, I invite you to inquire about advertising on my website. I spend 30+ hours a week on efforts related to this site during the season and your support of my efforts will benefit the entire soccer community.

I’ve made a few changes to the site for the Spring season. All of the changes are intended to make it easier for you to find the information you want AND to allow you to contribute to the community.

1. Twitter/ME – I adopted Twitter a couple of years ago because it’s like free texting and an easy, timely way to share. I use it to report scores of games I cover and to share links to stories I think you might enjoy but aren’t part of the core coverage here. You can follow me here.
2. Twitter/YOU and YOUR TEAM – if you have a Twitter account, you can now report scores and stats by adding the term – #sgfsoccer – to your tweet. As you can see on the top right of this site, your tweet will be picked up and shared with the community. Wouldn’t it be great if each team had one person reporting scores this season! You can use it on any phone.
3. Calendar – I maintain a calendar of all of the teams in my coverage region (Joplin to Rolla, Camdenton to West Plains, Branson to Bolivar) which includes 27 girls programs this year. I list the Home team first, generally it’s JV/V but I note where that is not the case. Send my your schedule if you are on this list – Lebanon, Waynesville, Branson, Central, Joplin, Neosho, Willard, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Laquey, Liberty (Mt View), McAuley and Richland.
4. Commenting – I’ve added a new program that I hope will enhance the commenting process including being able to register using your Facebook profile. You can see the latest comments in the right sidebar. I’m also headed towards a new policy that includes no more anonymous commenting. The mission of this website is to promote the game and it’s participants. Let’s keep it positive and open, which includes being open about who is commenting.
5. Blog – I implemented a new layout last Fall, designed to put the most active information front-and-center. However, some folks miss the simplicity of the original blog layout. You can still take advantage of that by clicking on Blog in the top right of this website.

UPDATE – the Calendar has 3 categories including High Schol, College and a general category where I throw Club games, live broadcast games on ESPN/ESPN2/FSC and related events. I’ll be adding an MLS/NASL/PDL calendar as well. There is an arrow on the top right that allows you to turn on/off the various categories so you see the games you are interested in. Or Subscribe by clicking on Google link and adding the dates to your Outlook or iCal or Google calendar.

That’s what I’ve got folks. Feel free to share your thoughts via the comments or by sending me an email. I’m always looking for feedback. Thanks and good luck to all of the teams!

Springfield Catholic Opens At Ozark Monday

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Catholic vs Ozark, April 2007 9 (Holtmann, Jenisch)

Catholic vs Ozark, April 2007 9 (Holtmann, Jenisch)

After West Plains successful start to the season in Harrison on Saturday, we begin a regular slate of games in the region today. I’ve got four games identified on my calendar, which you can find on the right hand side of my website. The Home team is listed first and the start time generally reflects the JV game. Where I am aware of Varsity games starting first, primarily at Hillcrest, Logan-Rogersville and Parkview, teams who do not have lights on their pitch, I’ll make a note of that.

4:30 pm Logan-Rogersville vs Carthage (V 1st)
5:00 pm Ozark vs Catholic
5:00 pm Richland vs Camdenton Moved to Wednesday, Varsity-only
5:00 pm Lebanon vs Helias

The Central Ozarks Conference kicks off the season with a pair of quality games. A pair of second year squads will face off when the L-R Wildcats host Carthage. I’m certain both teams will remember their inaugural games, when LogRog traveled to Carthage last year to open the season and the program with a 2-1 OT win. Can Carthage get some revenge this year?

On the experience ladder, there’s a big one tonight as well, as the Ozark Tigers host Springfield Catholic. While the only games that really matter occur during District playoffs and beyond, this one offers plenty of tradition and quality play which makes it my first stop this season. For some background, let’s see what each team’s website offers:

From the Ozark Tiger Soccer website, one of eighteen websites hosted for free by SGFsoccer.com here in the region:

The Lady Tigers lost both matches to Catholic during the current senior’s freshman year. The first 0-2 and the second 0-1. But the tide turned during their sophomore year, and the Lady Tigers celebrated Coach Davidson’s 500th career win with a 1-0 victory over the Lady Irish. The winning continued last year for the Lady Tigers as they escaped with an exciting 2-1 golden goal overtime victory over their rivals from Springfield Catholic.

The Lady Irish have not forgotten the results of the past two years and look back even further:

The Lady Irish and Lady Tigers have had a long and storied rivalry since the beginning of both programs in 1998. Catholic and Ozark met in six district championship matches between 1999 and 2006 with the Irish winning four and Ozark winning two of those contests. Ozark also won the 2000 district championship after defeating Catholic in the semifinal. Ozark moved up in classification in 2007, but the rivalry has remained intense with the Lady Tigers defeating the Lady Irish each of the past two seasons.

So there you have it. Plenty to get excited about as we begin a new season. Here’s a look at the 2005 District title game between the two. The Tiger’s did some reminiscing as well, pointing to an early video interview I did three years ago with a trio of then freshman, now seniors. Megan Gunnells, Megan Stodden (Aurora) and Megan Jenisch (Missouri Southern) stood out in that early game and have continued their strong play. Enjoy this look back before tonight’s opener.

In addition to these three, Ozark will start three addtional seniors, including All-State keeper Paige Hemphill and Rachel Haden, both SBU Bearcat recruits as well as Alicia Collard. For Catholic, their are three seniors, led by Erin Fitzgerald, Veronica Renner and Rachel Herron.

Tim Ream And Red Bull Open MLS Stadium And Broadcast Season Tonight

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Red Bull ArenaLot’s of angles to tell on this story but the bottom line – catch SLU and St Dominic’s grad Tim Ream and the New York Red Bull versus Santos (Brazil) this evening on Fox Soccer Channel at 5:00 pm and check out the state-of-the-art soccer stadium they now call home!

The game should include MLS draftee Tim Ream who received a nice write up in the New York Times in advance of the game Red Bulls Coach Likes One Young Defender in Particular

“Tim Ream is close to being in the starting lineup,” Backe said. “He has a future. I probably shouldn’t say too much, but Ream has a chance to be a national team player. He’s a center back who is comfortable and calm in possession of the ball. He plays a good passing game, he’s an excellent passer. A European-type center back who, I think, reminds me of Rio Ferdinand in the Premier League. Ream is strong tactically and never stressed, and of course he’s good in the air. He has a top-class attitude and spirit.”

Grant Wahl has a story on the new stadium – World-class arena awaits Red Bulls

But after touring Red Bull Arena, the new $200 million-plus home of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls, I’m a little breathless myself. In the year 2010, the most advanced, state-of-the-art soccer stadium in the Western Hemisphere (at least until Chivas de Guadalajara’s futuristic “volcano” stadium gets finished) is a couple of convenient PATH train stops from the epicenter of New York City.

And the key phrase is “soccer stadium.” Unlike so many other MLS buildings, which have a stage at one end and double as concert venues, Red Bull Arena is built for fútbol. Not one of the 25,000 seats — and they’re all seats; no benches here — has a bad view. The front row is a mere 21 feet from the sidelines and 27 feet from the endlines, the better for Juan Pablo Ángel to make a quick run and Lambeau Leap over the short retaining wall after scoring a goal.

While the Wall Street Journal offers their view with Red Bull Places $220 Million Bet on Soccer

There may be easier ways to sell drinks than buying a struggling sports team and building the biggest soccer stadium the country has ever seen atop a former industrial-waste site.

Yet that’s exactly the playbook Austrian “energy drink” maker Red Bull has been following for the past four years. The strategy will be unleashed this weekend when the $220 million Red Bull Arena opens in Harrison, N.J. The home of the New York Red Bulls is about 10 miles and a brief train ride from lower Manhattan.

Paid for without a loan, the team and stadium represent the biggest and most visible foreign investment ever made in professional soccer in the U.S.—even as closely held Red Bull had flat revenue and faces challenges from rivals like Monster Energy, distributed by Coca-Cola, and Rockstar, distributed by PepsiCo.

Red Bull Arena: Home of the New York Red Bulls
Red Bull Arena is a world-class sports venue located in Harrison, New Jersey. The 25,000-seat stadium features a dynamic form roof that covers all of the seating and features 30 Skyboxes, three premium clubs, two retail outlets and a Kentucky Bluegrass field. Red Bull Arena is the home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. Red Bull Arena is privately funded stadium and owned by Red Bull GmbH, an Austrian company that produces the worlds leading energy drink.

In addition to Red Bulls matches, Red Bull Arena hosts major collegiate championships, international soccer friendly matches, international rugby matches, and special events.

Saturday Missouri HS Soccer Report

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West Plains Lady Zizzers

West Plains Lady Zizzers (credit: Randy Hunt)

From the ReMax Cup in Harrison:

Harrison Lady Goblins – 1
Little Rock Christian – 1
The Goblins took an early lead midway through the 1st half and gave up the tying goal midway through the second half. Little Rock Christian advances to the Title game via PK’s, winning 5-4.

West Plains Zizzers – 3
Siloam Springs – 0
West Plains took the lead when Tasha Ugbah beat a defender off the dribble and scored unassisted from 15 yards out in the 24th minute. In the 30th minute, Ugbah received a pass in the box from Katie shannon, touched the ball around a defender and scored her 2nd goal of the game. In the 26th minute of the 2nd half, Ugbah crossed a ball into the box for Katie shannon who turned and fired a left footed shot past the keeper from 10 yards out.

Sammi Phegley made 4 Saves to preserve the shutout.

3:30 pm – Harrison vs Siloam Springs (CANCELED – icing in Silioam Springs, team returned home)

West Plains Zizzers – 1
Little Rock Christian – 4
Katie Shannon scored from inside the 6 yard box for the Zizzer’s in the 6th minute, from a cross by Tasha Ugbah, to give West Plains an early lead Saturday. Little Rock Christian would apply the pressure however, tying the game in the 10th minute and taking the lead in the 20th. Goals in the 21st and 49th provided the final margin as LRC wins the ReMax Cup.

Photo provided by Randy Hunt

Other Scores:

Columbia Hickman Kewpies – 4
Timberland Wolves – 1
The home opener for the Kewpies and an early District 9 match up. From The Missourian: Each team remained scoreless in the first half. Sophomore forward Sami Purdy was the first to score after Timberland’s goalkeeper jumped to save the ball but dropped it, and it hit her shoulder, where she kicked it in for a goal.

The Kewpies game against the Nerinx Hall Markers, scheduled for today, has been canceled due to snow.

Missouri S&T Miners Sign Jaclyn Standfast, 6 Others

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Jaclyn Standfast, Rolla Bulldogs

Jaclyn Standfast, Rolla Bulldogs

(Rolla, Mo.) – Missouri S&T women’s soccer coach Jon Kiester has announced the signing of six student-athletes to national letters of intent plus another one that plans to walk on and play for the Lady Miners in the upcoming 2010 campaign.

The newcomers are Leilah Saadi, Audrey Barnard, Kirstin Kurilla, Kimberly Ekholm, Jaclyn Standfast, Nicole French, and Kelsey Salzman.

“We are always looking to build our depth,” Keister said. “A majority of our starters are going to be seniors this year which is exciting and we need to provide them with some depth not only for competition but also to give us something coming off the bench.”

Below are bios on all seven of the signed players.

Jaclyn Standfast – 5-6, senior, Rolla High School. Standfast played at Rolla High for head coach Mike Howard. She plays center midfield and has earned all-conference, all-district and all-southwest Missouri region honors. Standfast led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with 11 goals and eight assists for a total of 30 points.

Leilah Saadi – 5-5, junior-college transfer from Hutchinson Community College. Saadi competed for two seasons at Hutchinson Community College as a forward. In her two seasons there she scored 24 goals and had 19 assists for a total of 67 points in a total of 32 contests. Last season she scored 13 goals and had five assists for a total of 31 points in 12 games. Saadi had five multi-goal games including a pair of three-goal games against Allen County and Garden City Community Colleges. As a freshman she appeared in 20 games scoring 11 goals and dishing out 14 assists for a total of 36 points and was a second team all-region selection. Saadi scored in six different games with three multi-goal games. Saadi, a native of Topeka, Kan., played at Topeka West HS for head coach Chris McGinnis. She was the team’s most valuable defender in 2007 and 2008. She plans on majoring in civil engineering.

Audrey Barnard – 5-6, senior, Raytown High School, Raytown, Mo. Barnard is a two-year letter-winner for the Blue Jays heading into her senior season. Last season she was an honorable mention all-conference selection and helped her team to a conference championship. She is a “Wendy’s High School Heisman” nominee. Barnard is also a member of the KC Select United club team and plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.

Kirstin Kurilla – 5-5, senior, Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, Ill. Kurilla earned all-state honorable mention as a midfielder last season at Edwardsville High School. She plays for the club team St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Her older sister Kelsey has been a goalkeeper the past three seasons for the Lady Miners.

Kimberly Ekholm – 5-6, senior, Cypress Springs High School, Houston, Texas. Ekholm, a center midfielder, has been an all-district selection each of the last two seasons and served as one of the team captains. She is a member of the club soccer team Albion Hurricanes FC. Her sister Shelly is also a member of the women’s soccer team at Missouri S&T.

Nicole French – a senior midfielder at Oakville High School scored a pair of goals and had an assist last season for the Tigers. One of her goals was a game winner. She also plays midfield for her club team MC United.

Kelsey Salzman – 5-5, senior, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, Mo. Salzman has played for three years at Notre Dame de Sion. During her time there she has been a part of three straight Missouri Final Four teams. As a freshman in 2007 she helped her squad to a second place finish in Missouri Class 1. In 2008 she was a member of the team that won the Missouri Class 1 state title 1-0 over Notre Dame (St. Louis). Last season she helped her team to third place finish in Missouri Class 2. Salzman is also an exceptional runner competing in the Missouri State High School Cross Country Championships all four years, finishing second in 2007 and fourth in 2008. She plays club soccer for the Chili Peppers in Kansas City. Her older brother Daniel was a member of the Miner soccer team for four years from 2005-08. She plans on majoring in nuclear engineering.

The Lady Miners finished the 2009 campaign with a 5-9-1 overall mark, 5-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Lance Parker Signs With Miami FC

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Lance Parker, Chivas USA

Lance Parker, Chivas USA

Former Missouri State Bear Lance Parker (2008), after spending two years with Chivas USA, has signed with Miami FC of the NASL. A native of Oklahoma City, Lance Parker made his official Chivas USA debut on July 13 in a 2-1 SuperLiga loss to Pachuca, and his MLS debut on Aug. 8, 2009. Parker made his MLS debut in Chivas USA’s 4-0 loss to Colorado on Aug. 8, and earned his first win and shutout two weeks later in a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.

From the NASL website: Miami FC Announces Goalkeeper Signings

Miami FC continues to build its roster with the signing of two young but seasoned goalkeepers, in addition to two talented midfielders. Lance Parker and Caleb Patterson will be in goal for the Blues in 2010; while Sean Cameron and local product Gabriel Hoyos add quality to an already-impressive midfield. Terms of these signings were not disclosed.

“It’s great to have these two quality goalkeepers on the team. They are both very young but have the necessary experience to come in and make an immediate impact. In the midfield, Sean has played with us before and we’re glad to have him re-join Miami this year. Gabriel is an exciting young prospect with international experience under his belt. This is shaping up to be an exciting 2010 roster, ” said General Manager Luiz Muzzi

Lance Parker

The 24-year old goalie started his career at Missouri State University, where he was twice named All Missouri Valley Conference second team and posted a goal-against average of below one. While with the Missouri State Bears he also played with the Colorado Rapids U-23 team. Parker was signed to Chivas USA in 2008.The American goalkeeper played in the 2008 North American Superliga.

West Plains Zizzers Open Girls Season Saturday

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West Plains vs GreenwoodThis is it. The first game of the season for an area Girls team features the West Plains Zizzers who head South to Harrison, AR for the ReMax Cup hosted by the Harrison Goblins. It’s a four team tournament that will feature 4 Girls games and 4 Boys games.

9:30 am – Harrison Lady Goblins vs Little Rock Christian
11:00 am – West Plains Zizzers vs Siloam Springs Lady Panthers
3:30 pm – 3rd Place game
5:00 pm – Final

“Little Rock Christian is the defending Class 5A state champions in Arkansas while Siloam and West Plains are both always quality teams as well,” Pratt said, in a quote from The Harrison Daily Times preview with Re/Max Cup kicks off Saturday

Current Conference standings have Harrison on top with a 3-0 record while Siloam Springs are 2-1 as of March 15th.. The two teams faced off Thursday with ??

On the Boys side, #4-ranked Springdale Har-Ber (7A) is 5-1-1 while the Class 5 teams that are competing include #8 Little Rock Christian (2-0-0) and are the defending 5a-southwest champions, while Siloam Springs (4-2-1) 9s #18 and host Harrison (5-0-1), the 2008 champs, are ranked #19 in the All-School rankings I found here.