Monthly Archives: August 2010

Camdenton Lakers

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Camdenton LakersKai Raymer checks in on the District 10 defending champions in Camdenton, Mo. — After district title, Lakers hungry for more

The Camdenton High School boys’ soccer team had the best season in program history in 2009, beating Rolla for the first time which also gave the Lakers their first district title. As a senior this season, Nick Huey doesn’t want to settle for anything less. He’s ready for another – and better – postseason run in his final stint as a Laker.

“It’s something that (had) never been done before, so everyone wants to top that as best we can,” Huey said after practice last week.

Camdenton went undefeated (9-0) in the Ozark Conference last season, ultimately losing to Columbia Hickman in sectionals. But league and district championships have given returning players a confidence boost.

Carthage Tigers

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Carthage Tigers, Class 3 District 12 Champions 2009

Carthage Tigers, Class 3 District 12 Champions 2009

Cody Dyer at the Carthage Press offers a look at the Carthage Tigers aim for third-straight district title

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Although the Tigers have captured successive district championships, second-year Carthage High School boys soccer coach Jacob Osborne expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming season.

Despite eight starters returning from last year’s impressive 17-6 season, the atmosphere around the practice field for the Tigers has changed. Not only did the Tigers lose seven talented players to graduation, the power of the Central Ozark Conference appears to strengthening.

“Our schedule this year is significantly more difficult than years past,” Osborne said. “We were able to pick up Glendale, which is traditionally one of the top two or three teams in our region. We have also added a tournament at Kickapoo that features many of the top teams from the area along with some teams from Kansas City and St. Louis.”

Check out the complete story here

Crocker Lions

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Crocker Lions, AJ Imilkowski (2011)

Crocker Lions, AJ Imilkowski (2011)

From Brent Foster in the Waynesville Daily Guide – High Hopes, Crocker soccer loaded after 16-3 season

Last season the Crocker High School soccer team reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament. But expectations for this year’s squad are even higher as the Lions return 10 starters and 11 seniors from last year’s 16-3 squad.

The plethora of talent that returns for the Lions includes all-district sophomore goalkeeper Rich Heenan. He finished last year with three shutouts and a 1.64 goals against average. Also back for Crocker is junior forward Teddy Zeigenbein. Zeigenbein finished his sophomore season with 24 goals, 13 assists and was an honorable mention all-state selection.
The Lions also return senior midfielder/forward Cody Gibson who had 13 goals last season.

The Lions get their first chance to live up to those expectations when they begin the season Aug. 27 at West Plains.

Read the whole story

Marshfield Blue Jays

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Nick Snow at the Marshfield Mail took a look at the Blue Jays during their camp in late July, just before the quiet period and the start of practice last week: Soccer Jays gear up for big season with camp

Players like Colten Harden, D.J. Hensley and Evan Barth have already shown their leadership skills.

“It helps having them there,” Clardy said. “They’re all very encouraging. It’s hard when the freshmen are not at the same speed as our seniors, but Colten (Harden) especially is not easily frustrated. We have some great leaders on this team, and I think that will help the freshmen catch up quicker once the season starts.”

In goal, Nic Yonter looks to be one of the top ‘keepers in the area. While he has the basic fundamentals down, Clardy said she hoped to work on the finer goalkeeping techniques during the camp.

“Nic (Yonter) has been playing club soccer and that has helped a lot,” Clardy said. “The biggest thing is that it helped his confidence. He looks awesome. He’s ready, he’s quicker and his judgments are so much better. His punting has improved and he has actually taken some goal kicks – something that I didn’t think of doing last year. All around, he’s a better player. That being said, there are some things we will work on. We have high expectations for him this year.”

Read the entire article – Soccer Jays gear up for big season with camp

UPDATE Aug 26th – a follow up article on the Marshfield Mail

Waynesville Tigers

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Another update on a District 10 squad, this time the Waynesville Tigers, by Dave Roberts at the Waynesville Daily Guide

Tiger boys’ soccer dealing with heat

The Tigers are coming off a solid, 13-8-2 campaign. However, WHS graduated 11 players from that squad. Coming back are three starters — senior forward/midfielder Kevin Johnson, junior forward Karl Dupont and senior midfielder/defender Gehrig Haberstock.

Armstrong says this year’s Tiger squad will have to control the pace of the game. “I think we will be strong at possessing the ball,” he said. “I think we’ll play at a more patient and conservative style. “I feel we’re strong up top. Scoring-wise I think Johnson, Dupont and (Camoy) Elash are guys who can look strong there. Defense is probably where we’ve got to spend a lot of time focusing.”

In goal the Tigers have two returning junior varsity keepers in sophomore Lajos Zadravecz and junior Nick Munoz battling for the varsity job. “It’s a good battle,” Armstrong said. “Both have their strengths and weaknesses. They’ll probably battle it out all year long. Both are varsity-caliber goalies.”

Waynesville is scheduled to open its season at Sullivan on Aug. 27.

UPDATE from Head Coach Mike Armstrong – Gehrig Haberstock was an all-region defensive player and key leader on the field and for the younger players. Kevin Johnson and Karl Dupont were all-district players, and will be key in the success of the Tiger program.

The Tigers travel to Springfield to play Hillcrest the 31st of August and then Catholic High School on the 2nd of September. Then the Tigers will play in the Crusader Tournament in Jefferson City before opening at home on Senior Night against West Plains the 14th of September.

Missouri State Bears Picked For 2nd In Missouri Valley Conference Soccer

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Missouri State, Paul Paradise with mother and friend

Missouri State, Paul Paradise with mother and friend

The Missouri State men’s soccer team is picked to finish second according to the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll released by the league today. The Bears, regular season champions a year ago, received two first-place votes and finish eight points behind Evansville in the poll. The Purple Aces garnered the other six first-place votes and racked up 60 points. Creighton (49 points), Drake (41), Bradley (28), SIU Edwardsville (24), Eastern Illinois (20) and Central Arkansas (14) are picked behind the Bears.

“We believe in our team and think that this season will be great,” said head coach Jon Leamy. “We will continue to take steps to improve as the season progresses. It is nice to get votes from our peers, but it is going to be a battle all season long.”

The Valley also announced the preseason All-MVC team today. Last season’s MVC Defensive Player of the Year, Alex Riggs, and fellow senior Paul Paradise received the nod to the preseason squad. Paradise, a transfer from West Virginia, made an immediate impact on the Bears team in his first year. He scored his first goal in a Bears’ uniform in just the second match of the year and went on to score five goals on the season, second-best on the team. Paradise was an All-MVC honorable mention selection in 2009. He tallied two game-winning goals on the season and was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week on October 26 following his two-goal outburst against Bradley. He earned All-Midwest Region third team honors for his play in 2009.

High School Soccer Referees Needed – Rules Meeting Tonight

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high school refereesThere is a rules meeting tonight, Tuesday August 17, 2010 at Kickapoo HS 7:00pm.

Even if you are not registered, please show up and the registration process can begin immediately.

The current rate of pay is $50 for a varsity game and $42.50 for a junior varsity game. This isn’t bad for a few hours of work.

Our sport needs you. If you believe in this sport and are willing to help, you can contact the Missouri State High School Activities Association at MSHSAA.org. It’s a simple process and easy to become an official. Thanks for your service and see you this spring.

Nixa Parks Youth Soccer Registration Deadline is August 20th

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Youth SoccerThe Nixa Parks Department is accepting registrations for their Fall Recreation Soccer Leagues through August 20th.

Recreational Soccer is open to boys and girls age 3 through fifth grade. All teams are coed unless sufficient player numbers register to permit gender separation. Registration costs are $37.50 for residents and $45.00 for non-residents. Games are played on Saturdays from September 18th through October 23rd. All players are assigned teams through a coach draft.

For more information or to register please call 725-5486 or stop by the Nixa Community Center at 701 N. Taylor Way.

Alese Woolard Named Head Coach At Missouri Southern

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Alese Woolard, MSSU Lions Coach

Alese Woolard, MSSU Lions Coach

Joplin, Mo. — Missouri Southern Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman has named former Lions soccer standout Alese Woolard as the new head women’s soccer coach.

Woolard replaces recently named head coach Dwight Burgess who, after being named to the post, had a change of heart and decided to stay with his family in Ohio. “Southern is very fortunate to have Coach Woolard step into this critical coaching role,” Bruggeman said. “Her loyalty, dedication, and passion for Missouri Southern is second to none. We are excited to watch her lead our soccer program to new heights!”

Woolard has spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach for former head coach Trevor Wachsman. A goalie for the Lions, she enjoyed a solid two-year playing career at Southern, making 14 starts in the net for the Lions and held the opposition scoreless for the final 227 minutes of the 2004 campaign. She recorded 77 saves and two shutouts in her two years at Southern.

The Missouri Southern women’s soccer team has been picked to finish eighth in the 2010 MIAA Preseason Soccer Coaches Poll (of nine teams). The Lions went 5-15 last season and 3-13 in MIAA play to finish in eighth place in the league. The Lions return All-MIAA midfielder/forward Michelle Dimza from a season ago. The junior had three goals and seven points, with 13 of her 25 shots landing on goal. Overall the Lions return seven starters and 13 letter winners from last year’s team.

Rolla Bulldogs

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Rolla Bulldogs, Jason Howard (2011)

Rolla Bulldogs, Jason Howard (2011)

The always reliable Dave Roberts, now pulling double duty for the Rolla Daily News and Waynesville Guide with the departure of Jack Hittinger, provides a preview of the 2010 Rolla Bulldogs squad:

Rolla, Mo. —Who’s in goal?

That’s the big question Rolla High School boys’ soccer head coach Mike Howard has yet to answer so far in Bulldog practice.

Howard has 42 players in camp and said he plans to keep around 34 or 35 on the roster. He said final cuts could be made tonight. “Things have been going well,” said Howard, who is entering his 20th season as RHS coach. “At least as good as tryouts can go. We’ve got a quality group of freshmen and our seniors are good leaders. We hope that makes for an exciting season.”

The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-8-2 campaign in 2009 during which they advanced to the district tournament title game, where they lost to Camdenton 1-0 in two overtimes.

Replacing McCadden, who had a 1.47 goals-against average and 4.5 shutouts last fall, will be the No. 1 priority during the preseason. “I think we had a good month of June (in off-season workouts); I like the look of this team,” Howard said. “The big question is who will be in goal?

“We’re very athletic and we do have good team speed. And we have a bunch of kids who have played a lot of soccer in all of the classes. We have a good blend of youth and experience.” Among players with varsity starting experience back include senior forward Kory Carter, senior midfielders Jason Howard and David Drewniak, sophomore midfielder Michael Janke and junior defender Miles Wilson.

Jason Howard (a senior and Coach Howard’s son) is the top scorer back for RHS, with nine goals and four assists in 2009 while Carter had seven goals and four assists.

Read the entire story at the Rolla Daily News