Missouri State Bears, Heath Melugin (2012)
Game time is 6:15 pm Wednesday and the opponent is CBC, or Central Baptist College, from Conway AR. The Mustangs are an NAIA program with the majority of their players hailing from the Natural State.
I’m not certain why the Bears would play an NAIA team, even at this point in the preseason, but I expect we’ll get a look at some of the new prospects as well as figuring out who did, or didn’t, come in to camp in shape and prepared to play.
The College soccer season has only begun preseason training regionally in the last 3 days but the Missouri State Lady Bears are preparing to challenge a pair of foes this week on the pitch.
Tonight at 6:00 pm the Lady Bears will host the University of Central Missouri Jennie’s at Plaster Stadium. A regular exhibition or Spring season visitor, Coach Lewis Theobald brings his team to Springfield tonight. The Jens, picked to finish 3rd this year in the MIAA, finished third in 2009 with a 12-3-1 MIAA mark, while compiling an overall record of 13-5-2. The Jennies just missed the NCAA Tournament after going 10-1-1 in their last 12 games of the season. It was also the first undefeated home season in school history.
On Thursday at 6:00 pm it will be the Lady Panther’s from Drury who will play the Bears at Plaster. The Panther’s opened preseason this morning with a fitness test as the first step in two-a-day’s for the coming two weeks. Coach Alf Bilbao’s squad is picked 6th this year in the GLVC and are coming off a 13-6-0 campaign that included a 10-4-0 mark in GLVC play and a berth in the league’s postseason tournament. Drury returns its top two scorers in junior Nicole Williams (11 goals, 3 assists) and sophomore Katie Pritchard (9 goals, 5 assists) in addition to three-time All-GLVC goalkeeper and senior Jessie Sanderson as part of a returning cast of eight players who started 14 or more matches last season.
The 2010 Fall Youth Soccer Registration will be held Tuesday (August 17) from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Marshfield City Hall (798 S. Marshall St.). If you would like a registration form or information e-mailed to you to speed up the registration process, please respond to this e-mail with a request noting this.
If you are interested in registering, please read the entire contents of this e-mail – it may answer the questions you may have. If you need more information, a contact number is located at the bottom of this e-mail. You may also e-mail dbamarsh@marshfieldmo.gov.
UPDATE August 23rd – It is NOT too late to sign up for youth soccer!
We will accept registrations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the back door of City Hall. If you cannot make it in during these hours, you may deposit your registration form(s), with payment, in our night deposit box (please note on front of envelope, “Attn. Deana Fishel”). If you would like a registration form e-mailed to you, please e-mail me back. Please keep in mind that our late fee starts Wednesday ($5.00 per player).
Please note that this is a CO-ED RECREATIONAL LEAGUE – no experience necessary!
COSTS & REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: Cost is $30.00 per child ($35.00 if you live outside the city limits); unfortunately, we do not offer multi-child discounts. A team shirt is included with your registration. The only other items your child will need to participate are shin guards (available locally at The Sports Shop and Wal-Mart), a soccer ball, and a good pair of running shoes (cleats may also be worn). We do NOT require children to have a physical before participating; you do not need to bring your child to the registration, and we do not require a birth certificate.
LEAGUE INFORMATION: Children ages 2-15 (must be born on July 1, 1994 or later) are welcome to participate. We welcome ALL area children. Children that played in the Spring league will be placed on the same team in the Fall.
GAMES & PRACTICES: We will play a six week, seven game season, with play starting on September 12. Games are held on Saturday mornings at Rotary Park (next to City Hall); practices are held one time per team per week (5:30 p.m. or later on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday of Friday; coaches determine practice days and times).
Coaches are always needed! If you decide to coach, your child will be placed on your team. Siblings only may request to play on the same team, provided they fall into the same age group. No other requests, for any reason, are allowed.
AGE GROUPS: A child may move up to the next league if he/she is within one year of that age group. Children cannot be moved down to a younger age group. Siblings will be placed on the same team if they play in the same league.
Age groups are as follows:
· League 1: Born July 1, 2004, and later.
· League 2: Born between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2004.
· League 3: Born between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2002.
· League 4: Born between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1999.
If you need additional information, you may e-mail dbamarsh@marshfieldmo.gov, or call 417/468-5111, Ext. 289.
We hope to see you at the fields this fall!
Deana A. Fishel
City of Marshfield
Kickapoo Chiefs, Fall 2010
Looking at 2010 the Chiefs have reason to be confident yet again. Returning 8 starters, adding a senior transfer who will start on defense, Kickapoo will rely on a disciplined defensive team with one key weakness. Who will score?
The Chief’s have four key seniors this year. All will likely start on defense and they will be led by Goalkeeper Tyler Moses. Moses found his mojo during the Kickapoo Shootout last year when his play in the PK win over Blue Springs helped carry the team to the Championship win over Springfield Catholic and ultimately to the Quarterfinals, losing only to Columbia Rockbridge during that four week period.
He’ll be fronted by seniors Nathan Lavoy and new transfer Dylan Corbett, who has been recognized as All-State Honorable Mention the past two years for the New Covenant Warriors. Derrick McDiarmid, a 1st team Regional pick, will bringing his attacking style to the flank.
The junior class represents the top three returning scorers, with Jake Nedoma (8 goals, 1 assist = 17 points), Devon Selsor (7, 3 = 17) and Dane Ruggeri (5, 3 = 13) and the pressure will be significant to increase their production, especially in tight games. A look at the results from the previous two years shows just how important Ian Kennedy and Skyler Russell were in those situations and these three will need to deliver. Selsor will likely slot in at a forward position while Nedoma and Ruggeri attack from outside midfield positions.
They will not be alone. Aaron Strunk came on strong late in the season when given the opportunity to play as a forward, moving up from a central defensive position, showing creativity and a natural attacking style. His goal against Glendale in late October helped position the Chiefs for the win and I anticipate he’ll show well this year. He finished with four goals, 10 overall points last year. The Chiefs will need to replace the 42 goals, 109 total points, that Skyler Russell and Ian Kennedy delivered.
It all starts in the midfield and the Chiefs have a pair of sophomores expected to lead the team. Josh McCutcheon’s efforts in defensive midfield last year allowed Ian Kennedy the opportunity to go forward and lead the attack. This year he’ll pair with Elliot Williams, who moves up from a role player to starter, to run the central midfield. Their maturity and ability to hold the ball while creating opportunities for their teammates will also lay the foundation for the Chiefs success for the next three years.
Hunter Durham, a sophomore, is my pick for the third player to join Corbett and Williams in the starting 11.
The Chiefs open on the road September 3rd, visiting Nixa where the game finished 4-3 last year. Glendale is the opponent in their third game, on September 15th, a game everyone looks forward to. Kickapoo will participate in three tournaments this year, over a three week period beginning with the Gateway City Classic in St. Louis on October 1st. The Kickapoo Shootout runs October 8-9 and the Chiefs will travel to Jefferson City for the Classic October 14-15.
Stephen Conner, Drury stoning NKU's Steven Beattie
Here is the press release from the Conference: INDIANAPOLIS – Drury University has been selected as the pre-season favorite to claim the 2010 GLVC Men’s Soccer Championship. In a vote of the GLVC’s 15 head coaches, the Panthers collected 188 total points and eight first-place votes to finish atop the 2010 GLVC Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The Panthers (21-2, 13-1 GLVC) edged Northern Kentucky for the top spot in the poll. The Norse (15-6-2, 11-3 GLVC) collected 183 total points and three first-place votes. They were followed by Lewis who placed third in the annual publication. The Flyers (16-3-3,10-3) garnered 168 points and three first-place votes. The final first-place vote was given to Bellarmine. The Knights (11-6-1, 8-5) placed fourth in the poll with 159 total points.
UW-Parkside finished fifth in the voting with 142 total points and is followed in the poll by Rockhurst (115 total points), Quincy (112), Missouri S&T (108), Missouri-St. Louis (95), Indianapolis (81), Saint Joseph’s (76), Illinois-Springfield (62), Kentucky Wesleyan (37) and Maryville (28), and Illinois-Springfield (21).
Drury defeated Northern Kentucky in the 2009 GLVC championship match, 1-0, to claim the school’s first men’s soccer title. The Panthers advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional Final before falling to Lewis, 1-0.
Drury is led by head coach Ryan Swan, the 2009 GLVC Coach of the Year, and last season’s GLVC Defensive Player of the Year Stephen Conner, a junior senior goalkeeper for the Panthers.
The 15 member institutions will compete in a 14-match round robin conference schedule and the top eight teams in the league standings will advance to the 2010 GLVC Tournament which is scheduled to begin on Oct. 31. The highest remaining seed following the quarterfinal round will host the GLVC semifinals and final on Nov. 5 and 7, respectively.
The Girls High School Academy returns again this Fall and Lake Country Soccer is still accepting registrations. The academy program is open to any high school aged female player who is seeking soccer training and conditioning for the Fall. The program is open to club players or players who are not playing club this fall. Come out and keep your skills fresh without the time and cost commitment of Club soccer.
Sunday sessions:
1:30p – 3:00p
Field location:
Lake Country Soccer
Training dates:
August 22, 29
September 12, 19, 26
October 3, 10, 24
Possible team entry in the Incredible Pizza Fall Classic tournament + friendly games if any can be scheduled during the program.
Click (HERE) to register for the Fall 2010 High School Girls Academy
. Questions, call Kelly Ross at 862-3211 x102 or email Kelly@lakecountrysoccer.org for more information.
Missouri State, Alex Riggs (2011)
Riggs, a senior from St. Peters, Mo., was named the Missouri Valley Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-MVC first teamer in 2009. He started all 19 matches for the Bears last season and registered a 12-5-2 record with eight shutouts. He led Missouri State to its first regular season conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999. Riggs was named MVC Player of the week twice during the 2009 season (Sept. 21 and Oct. 12).
In conference play, he led the league in shutouts (five), goals against average (0.66) and save percentage (.842) among starters. His stellar play included two victories against Drake, an eventual elite eight NCAA Tournament team, and two shutouts against perennial MVC power, Creighton.
His 14 career shutouts and 1.00 career goals against average each rank third all-time at Missouri State. He ranks fifth all-time in wins (19), matches started (44) and minutes played (4,210).
The Bears open the regular season at SMU on September 1. Missouri State’s regular season home opener is Friday, September 10 against Green Bay at 7:30 p.m. All of the Bear’s games are part of my Soccer Calendar found in the right sidebar of this website. Note that the small arrow button in the top right allows you to look at just College schedules, or my High School and other Soccer schedules.
Missouri State Bears, Jordan Reppell (2011)
The preseason All-MVC squad was also announced by the Valley today. Three Missouri State players, Jordan Reppell, Jessica Teahan and Rachel Weimer, were selected to the team. Teahan and Reppell were first-team All-MVC honorees last season, while Weimer was named to the All-MVC second team and MVC All-Freshman team. NOTE – the list is only 11 players, with Teahan the only goalkeeper selected, Reppell (pictured) one of only three defenders while Weimer is part of a group of six forwards. Exclusive company for the Lady Bears. Read more here.
Missouri State will open exhibition play next Monday, August 16, with a 6:00 p.m. tilt against Central Missouri and host Drury at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 19. The Bears regular season home opener is set for Friday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. against UALR. As always, the schedule can be found on my calendar in the right sidebar. Note that you can choose to only see college games using the button on the far right above the calendar.
Drury Panthers, 2009 GLVC Champions
The team returns a core of seven starters from last years team including the entire defensive corp, starting with senior GK Stephen Conner (Glendale). Conner had 14 shutouts in 2009, giving up only 11 goals overall and was named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year while also earning 2nd Team All-American status.
His defensive line is a quartet of seniors, led by Ben Taylor (pictured holding the trophy), also a 2nd Team All-American and the second leading returning scorer on the team with 7 goals and 5 assists. Taylor plays outside left and handles many of the teams set pieces. The central defenders will be Blake Wilson and Conner McClellan while Grant Bowden will be the outside right back. This battle tested defensive crew will be relied on to keep the Panther’s close while the team identify’s who will step up to replace the 26 goals, including 11 game-winners, scored by Steve Wilczewski and Andrew Bordelon in 2009.
The midfield will be led by senior Peter Higgins, who will move into the play-making position vacated by Ben Nabers. Nabers was the unsung hero of last years team, with the ability to reliably hold the ball in tight situations before starting the Panther’s attack. Higgin’s is very talented, earning Honorable Mention All-American recognition last year, and one of the hardest workers on the team but is the only returning starter in the midfield. A pair of Springfield products, Danny Collins (Glendale) and Adam Peterson (Kickapoo) played in 20 or more games each last year and will work to earn starting positions this year. Collins scored 3 goals and had 3 assists from his outside position while Peterson scored 2 goals while earning minutes at both midfield and forward. One incoming freshman, Brendan Langford (San Antonio, TX) spent the summer in Springfield playing for the Demize PDL team. Langford showed good technical skills during the minutes he played and should earn playing time but likely won’t be prepared to start.
Micah Whorton returns up top following a highly successful season in 2009, scoring 15 goals and providing 15 assists and 45 points, tops on the team. Whorton earned 3rd Team All-American recognition for his efforts and will be expected to continue his fine form in his senior season. Sr Dave Emnett played in 18 games last year and will challenge for a starting position.
The recruiting class this year is 12 players strong, coming from 4 states, and includes Catholic’s Justin Bowenschulte. A few I think can make an impact this year include this trio of Scott-Gallagher players from St Louis:
Alec Nagel, 5-11 midfielder, Jefferson City High School: Alec was a First Team All-Region, First Team All-State and Central Region MVP selection who’s speed and strength could pair well with Whorton.
Matthew Hutchison, 6-0 forward, CBC High School: Matthew helped CBC and his Scott Gallagher club team both to state championships in 2009. He was named to the First Team All-Conference, All-Metro and All-State squads, and is playing club this spring with the Gallagher Academy.
Michael Yuede, 5-8 midfielder, St. Dominic High School: He was the Class 2 state player of the year after leading his team to a state championship, earning First Team All-State and Second Team All-Metro honors. Yuede also was a number of the ’09 Missouri state champion Scott Gallagher Soccer Club team.
The Panther’s open regular season play on Friday September 3rd at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio before traveling to Chicago for a Sunday September 5th game at Lewis University. Lewis reached the NCAA Final 4 after beating Drury in the 2nd round so this game will be an early season grudge match.
The first home game will be Friday September 17th against Truman State University, the other ranked Missouri team, coming in at 24th in the preseason poll.
Eddie Gumucio, Head Coach of the Hillcrest Hornets
Coach Gumucio, born in Kansas City, who grew up with the game and his father is Bolivian (South America) has been working hard this summer to prepare for his inaugural season. In the course of several conversations over the previous two weeks, the message that I take away that what he lacks in formal coaching experience will be supplemented with study (I’ve already loaned him my library of Terry Michler books) and work with the team to set personal goals and achieve them. He is taking the same approach in his education career, as he is midway through a Masters in Education. This is a long-term goal for Coach Gumucio, which will reduce the merry-go-round we’ve seen on the Boy’s side with four coaches in my five years of coverage.
