Catch all of the games Live via Prepcasts this weekend

Marshall Owls (24-2) – 1
Smithville (20-5) – 2
Smithville Goal by Troy Williams after receive a flighted ball in behind the Marshall defense in the 28th minute.
Marshall tied the game in the 38th minute on a Penalty Kick by Jon Najera after Smithville was whistled for a trip in the box.
Smithville got the game winner from Chase Brewer on a rebound after the initial stop was made by Jacob Phillips with 4:25 left in the game.

Good Luck Owls in the 3rd Place Game against Clayton!

From the Post-Dispatch: Smithville, ranked seventh in the state by the coaches, has not allowed a goal in the postseason and has 17 shutouts overall. This is the third trip to the state tournament for both teams, but both are looking for their first title.

St Mary’s Dragons (18-6-3) –
Clayton Greyhounds (16-9-2) –

From the Post-Dispatch: For the first time since 2001, St. Mary’s is headed back to the Soccer Park. The South City soccer powerhouse returns to the semifinals for the 18th time. The Dragons have won five state championships (the last coming in 2001) and have played in 10 title games. Clayton is making its final four debut.

Rock Bridge Bruins -
Rockhurst Hawklets -

SLUH Jr Billikens -
Vianney Golden Griffins -

David vs The Goliaths by Terry Michler, CBC Cadet’s Head Coach

The 2010 version of the Class 3 Final 4 features 3 heavyweights and a newcomer. With the State Championship at stake, you can expect each team to be at their best. It is the chance of a lifetime for the players to achieve the ultimate prize in their High School soccer careers.

It is truly a story of David vs Goliath when you compare previous playoff appearances and results. SLUH returns for their 30th playoff appearance, Rockhurst 28th, Vianney for their 23rd and Rock Bridge for their 5th.
— Rockhurst has 55 previous playoff wins, SLUH 40, Vianney 36 and Rock Bridge has 1
– Previous Final 4 appearances feature Rockhurst 16, SLUH 14, Vianney 12 and the second for Rock Bridge.
In soccer, time and again, the underdog has found a way to win against the odds – that’s why they play the games!

Will the newcomer Rock Bridge, have enough to overcome the experienced Rockhurst team, steeped in tradition, and 16 previous Final 4 appearances. The Rock Bridge team will be trying to find a timely goal, Matt Kelly leads team with 26 goals, and hope that a stingy defense, led by Brady Wulff’s 18 shutouts, can give them a sweet victory over the Kansas City team. Rockhurst, with 55 previous playoff wins, will rely on their strength of schedule and ball possession style of play to offset the quick, direct style of the Columbia team. It will be a contrast of styles, and that usually provides for an entertaining match. Rock Bridge has not lost since Oct 19, and has recorded 24 wins to go with their 5 losses.

Rockhurst, with 23 wins, is led by senior Doug Stevenson and Junior Derek Schrick in attack, and senior Grant Wilson in defense. As is the usual case for Rockhurst, it will be a total team effort in attack, defense and transition. Rockhurst has seen the best around this past season and now has the opportunity to have those experiences pay off for them. Chris Lawson has focused on mental toughness and being 2 goals down to Park Hill with time running short, the Hawklets, through Doug Stevenson, were able to bring the game level and win in spot kicks. Never say never with Rockhurst and Coach Lawson. Their absence in last year’s Final 4 will fuel their determination and intensity to do well this year. Can Rockhurst deal with the pressure of their playoff tradition and overcome the zeal of the newcomer to reach the Final?

In the second semi-final, 2 local St. Louis teams square off for the third time this season, SLUH vs Vianney, a real cracker! Vianney beat SLUH 1-0 in September and SLUH beat Vianney 2-0 in October – what will it be in November? SLUH (24-5) was the top-ranked team in St. Louis for most of the season and Vianney has had a very strong run since losing to SLUH on October 12. Vianney shared the MCC Championship with CBC, both on 3-1-0 league records, while SLUH finished league play at 2-2-0.

Both teams have explosive scorers – Vianney in senior midfielder Jason Grant with 19 goals and 20 assists, a strong candidate for St. Louis Player of the Year and senior forward Shane Mihaljevic with 16 goals. SLUH is led by senior Brian Bement with 17 goals, senior midfielder Richie Hoffman with 17 assists and junior Ryan Merrifield with 10 goals, 2 of which came in the sectional game vs CBC.

Both teams have the pedigree to be State Champions, although only one will live to fight that battle. If SLUH were to win the semi-final, it would be back to back years for them in the Final.

Vianney (21-6) may be the hottest of the 4 teams with their results through the second half of the season. SLUH suffered 2 season-ending losses, but recovered well and made it through the knockout stages to reach this game. This should prove to be a very intense game, with experienced player and strong traditions. Hopefully, the winner will have something left for the Championship on Saturday. For me, the game is a toss-up. I can make a case for either team. In games like this, the first goal is crucial and may well be the deciding factor. Vianney has plenty of attacking options and SLUH has always been able to find a goal when they need one. This one should be worth the price of admission!

You can hear more from Coach Michler, who recently featured in the National Soccer Coaches Assocition of America national magazine, as he handles the Color duties for Prepcasts of the Class 3 games this weekend as well as the Class 2 Final on Saturday.