Amazing Feats Video

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Ole

A short video showing some amazing tricks, including some futbol tricks. Hat tip to referee Jan Stahle for the pointer.

Catch EPL Games Sunday & Monday

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Ole

While most of the world is enjoying the holidays, the English Premier League will play a full slate of matches on Sunday, also known as Boxing Day in the UK. There’s also a big match on Monday featuring Chelsea vs Arsenal. Schedule below or as always, check the calendar on this site!

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL on Sunday
MANCHESTER UNITED-SUNDERLAND (live) 9 am.
ASTON VILLA-TOTTENHAM (live) 11:30 am.
NEWCASTLE-MANCHESTER CITY (delay) 1:30 pm.

Soccer America has a list of games being broadcast on FoxSoccer.tv as well.

Monday December 27th – CHELSEA vs ARSENAL, 1:55 PM on ESPN2

On ESPN3 next week you can catch the following games:
Tuesday, Dec. 28 – MANCHESTER UNITED vs BIRMINGHAM CITY, 1:55 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 29 – GUATEMALA vs CLUB AMERICA, 9:00 PM

Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Ole

Here’s to safe and wonderful family celebrations this week. Posting will be light the remainder of the week although I’ll probably find a few things to add to the site. See you next week.

Downtime

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Ole

First my desktop PC and now my Laptop PC has failed. I’ll be back as soon as possible but it may be after Xmas before I’ll be posting regularly again, including the Fall All-Star announcement. Enjoy the holidays!

You may see some activity on
Twitter – http://twitter.com/SGFsoccer or
Facebook – click here

Three Missouri State Bears Named To NSCAA All-Midwest Team

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Ole

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Three Missouri State men’s soccer players were named to the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Performance Subaru All-Midwest Region teams. Senior goalkeeper Alex Riggs received a first team nod for the second-consecutive season, while juniors Gerard Barbero and Heath Melugin were named to the second team.

Riggs was named the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the league in goals against average (0.73), save percentage (.857) and shutouts (9) among full-time starting keepers. He was also named to the All-MVC first team and MVC All-Tournament team. Riggs ended his career second on the MSU career list in start in net (62), minutes played in net (5,934), goals against average (0.93), shutouts (23) and saves (279). He was selected as the MVC Defensive Player of the Week six times in his career including twice this season (Oct. 11 and Oct. 25).

Melugin led the Bears in goals (7), points (15), shots (48) and shots on goal (22) to earn All-MVC second team honors. He was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America second team and All-District VII first team this season. He earned MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week on October 27 and was selected as a Fall 2010 MVC State Farm Good Neighbor award recipient. Melugin was named to MVC All-Tournament team for the second-consecutive year this season.

Barbero was a 2010 All-MVC first team honoree after leading the team in game-winning goals with three. He was second on the team in goals (5), assists (3) and points (13). Barbero was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 1.

Want To Play In MLS? Join A US Development Academy Team

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Ole

Aris Nukic, Mehlville (2012)/STLSG Metro Academy

From the DC United website – D.C. United’s roster continued its evolution today with the signing of 19-year-old centerback Ethan White, marking the fourth occasion since September of 2009 that the Black-and-Red have promoted a former Academy player to the first team. White joins 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, goalkeeper Bill Hamid, and midfielder Conor Shanosky on United’s senior roster. The club’s desire to develop self-sustaining talent has resulted in something of youth renaissance at RFK Stadium, and in White United has signed a strong and athletic central defender.

More importantly, as Soccer America noted in their story on the signing:

D.C. United signed Maryland sophomore Ethan White as its fourth homegrown player. The 19-year-old defender is the first college player to bypass the MLS SuperDraft and sign with an MLS team on the basis of his participation in its academy program.

The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an every day environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players. The Academy’s programming philosophy of increased training, less total games and more competitive games is based on U.S. Soccer’s Best Practices utilized by the U-17 U.S. National Team Residency program. I fully expect that within 2-3 years there will be a full-time program that will entail players opting-out of playing for their high school teams and playing year round for the Academy.

There are 3 Academy programs within 250 miles of Springfield – the Sporting KC Juniors as well as the St Louis Scott Gallagher programs in St Louis and Collinsville, IL (SLSG Metro). Former Springfield SC Director Jeremy Alumbaugh is Head Coach for the U18 team at SLSG Metro, a team that has already played 5 games including a win over the Chicago Magic and a loss to the Chicago Fire teams the same weekend as the High School Final 4. The team traveled to Phoenix in early December for the Winter Showcase where they played three games against teams from the East Coast over four days. The photo above is of Mehlville junior Aris Nukic from the opening game loss to the Chicago Fire, who is in his 3rd year with the Scott Gallagher St Louis Academy program.

I’m guessing the 2012 Missouri State Finals will be the last year that includes the approximately 30 Missouri-based kids that play on one of these three teams. Any bets?

Miner’s Ahearn And McNamee Recognized By NSCAA

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Ole

ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T’s soccer team has earned two more significant honors for the 2010 season from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as junior goalkeeper Pat McNamee was named second team All-America and head coach Joe Ahearn was named as the Midwest region’s “Coach of the Year”.

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners (2012)

McNamee, who had already been named to one All-America team following the 2010 season, was chosen to the NSCAA’s second team after a year in which he finished with a 0.67 goals against average in 1,484 minutes of action and recorded a S&T single season record nine shutouts – the team finished with 11 shutouts to set a new standard as well. McNamee also finished the year with 60 saves in the 16 games he appeared in and ranked seventh in goals against average and 12th in save percentage on the national level.

The Great Lakes Valley Conference’s “Defensive Player of the Year”, McNamee was an honorable mention selection to the Daktronics All-America squad that was announced earlier this month. He was the goalkeeper for a defensive unit that finished third in shutout percentage, fifth in save percentage (86.7 percent) and 10th in goals against average as a team at 0.69 at the Division II level in the final national rankings.

Joe Ahearn, Missouri S&T Miner's Head Coach

The coaching honor is the second for Ahearn this season, who was named as the GLVC’s “Coach of the Year” in guiding S&T to the co-championship in the conference and its first berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The national “Coach of the Year” award will be announced in mid-January at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.

Missouri S&T ended the year with a record of 11-6-3 – with three of the losses coming to eventual national champion Northern Kentucky — and was ranked No. 13 in the final NSCAA national rankings.

US MNT To Play Egypt February 9th

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Ole

From US Soccer – The U.S. Men’s National Team will face seven-time and current Africa Cup of Nations champion Egypt on Feb. 9 at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo. Kickoff and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

“Egypt is an extremely talented and competitive team,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “Their performances in the Confederations Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations have demonstrated their ability to challenge the top teams in the world. To play against the champions of Africa in what will be a fantastic environment in Cairo is a great opportunity as we get ready for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.”

The U.S. will face Egypt for the first time since the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, where it defeated the Pharaohs 3-0 with goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey. The victory allowed the United States to reach its first final of a major FIFA competition after defeating No.1-ranked and current FIFA World Cup Champion Spain in the semifinal. The two teams have met twice in their history, with the United States collecting victories in both encounters. The teams first faced each other on June 8, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea when the U.S. collected a 3-1 victory.

Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, Egypt has been one of the dominant sides on the African continent, claiming a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, including a record-setting three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and the most recent championship from the tournament in Angola earlier this year. Going undefeated through all six matches, the Egyptians piled in 16 goals, including five by Mohamed Nagy, also known as ‘Gedo’. Team captain Ahmed Hassan, who was named Player of the Tournament in 2010, is the third most capped player in world history, having compiled 175 international appearances for Egypt. He is just three shy of the all-time leader, Mohammed Al Deayea from Saudi Arabia.

Egypt barely missed out on qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, losing in a one-game playoff to Algeria, the team that has now become a part of U.S. Soccer history after Landon Donovan’s 91st minute goal gave the U.S. a 1-0 victory and a spot in the knockout phase.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will play their first match of 2011 when they face Chile on Saturday, Jan. 22, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Kickoff for the match is set for 6 p.m. PT, and broadcast information will be announced in the near future.

Alex Riggs Named Missouri Valley Conference GK of the Year

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Ole

Missouri State, Alex Riggs (2011)

From the Missouri Valley Conference – Missouri State senior goalkeeper Alex Riggs was named the Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, the league announced. He also was one of five Missouri State men’s soccer players named to all-conference teams. Riggs and junior defender Gerard Barbero were named to first-team All-MVC. Fellow juniors Heath Melugin and Jordan Hoffman were named to the second team and honorable mention squads, respectively. Dan Williams received an MVC All-Freshman nod.

Riggs, the 2009 MVC Defensive Player of the Year, did not disappoint in his senior campaign. He was selected to the All-MVC first team for the third consecutive season. Twice this season, October 11 and October 25, and six times in his career, he was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week.

Riggs currently leads the MVC in goal against average (0.66), save percentage (.864) and shutouts (9). Six of his shutouts this season have come against conference foes. He ranks second on the Missouri State career list in shutouts (23), goals against average (0.91), saves (273), matches started in net (61) and minutes played in goal (5,844).

Gerard Barbero, Missouri State Bears (2012)

Barbero made the position switch from midfielder to defender this season. His offense didn’t suffer, nor did the Bears’ backline. He aided the Bears’ in racking up 10 shutouts in their 17 matches played this season. He also has scored five goals, added three assists and totaled 13 points, second on the team in each category. Earlier this season, he converted penalty kicks in back-to-back matches against Drake (Oct. 16) and Evansville (Oct. 20), the first Bears to do so since 1993. Barbero earned MVC Defensive Player of the Week accolades on November 1 after leading the Bears’ defense to three straight shutouts.

Heath Melugin, Missouri State Bears (2012)

Melugin earned All-MVC second team and was MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week on October 27. He was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII first team and a State Farm MVC Good Neighbor award recipient this year. He leads the team with seven goals, 46 shots and 21 shots on goal. His two game-winning goals are second-best on the team.

Hoffman has been an influential piece of the Bears’ offense this season. He scored two goals this season, including the game-winner over IUPUI on September 12. He has registered a career-high 23 shots on the season, third-best on the team.

Dan Williams, Missouri State Bears (2014)

Dan Williams was the lone Bear named to the MVC All-Freshman team this year. He has earned valuable playing time down the stretch, starting the last eight matches for the Bears. His only assist of the season came on the game-winning goal against Memphis on October 26. He has registered 10 shots on the season and has been a primary free kick and corner taker of late.

FIRST TEAM
Alex Riggs Missouri State GK Sr.
Gerard Barbero Missouri State D Jr.
Nick Foster Drake D Sr.
Kyle Deremer Creighton D Sr.
Greg Jordan Creighton MF So.
Jose Gomez Creighton MF So.
Dion Acoff Creighton MF So.
Robby Lynch Evansville MF Sr.
Bryan Gaul Bradley F Jr.
Ethan Finlay Creighton F Jr.
Chris Anzalone SIUE F Sr.

SECOND TEAM
Brian Holt Creighton GK Jr.
Tyler Polak Creighton D Fr.
Blake Schneider Evansville D Jr.
Mike Jones SIUE D Sr.
Aaron Henkle Evansville D Jr.
Aodhan Quinn Bradley MF Fr.
Michael Thaden Drake MF Jr.
Sergio Castillo Creighton MF Sr.
Randy Roy SIUE MF Sr.
Tyler Kincaid Evansville F Sr.
Heath Melugin Missouri State F Jr.
Thomas Ostrander Drake F Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Jordan Kadlec Drake GK
Sean Molony Eastern Illinois GK
Zac Burns Central Ark. D
Jarrett Robbins Evansville D
Charlie Schwartz Drake MF
Tad Kreamalmeyer Evansville MF
Joseph Cervantes Central Ark. F
Alex Harrison Eastern Illinois F
Mike Luttrull Evansville F
Jordan Hoffman Missouri State MF
Benny Jeffery SIUE D

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Brian Billings Bradley GK
Keegan Ballee Bradley D
Garrett Crall Drake D
Nick Marshall Drake D
Tyler Polak Creighton D
Max Duncan Drake MF
Alex Kapsalis Evansville MF
Aodhan Quinn Bradley MF
Dan Williams Missouri State MF
Liam Kelly Creighton F
Philip Manga Evansville F

Jordan Reppell Named Missouri Valley Conference Defensive MVP

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Ole

Missouri State Bears, Jordan Reppell (2011)

From the Missouri Valley Conference – Missouri State senior defender Jordan Reppell was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, the Missouri Valley Conference announced. She also was one of five Missouri State women’s soccer players named to all-conference teams. Reppell and junior goalkeeper Jessica Teahan received first-team All-MVC accolades. Sophomores Nia Williams and Grace Cross were named to the All-MVC second team. Brooke Williams was tabbed for the honorable mention and all-freshman squads.

Reppell added her third career All-MVC first team honor to her Valley awards portfolio. She earned first team honors in 2008 and 2009, and a second team and an all-freshman team honor in 2007. She is one of only four Bears all-time to receive All-MVC honors all four years of their career (Alina Alaimo, 1998-2001; Kate Hercules, 2003-2006; Jackie Jasper, 2005-2008).

Reppell was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII second team earlier this week and was an Academic All-MVC first teamer in 2009. She scored her first career goal, the game-winner, against SIU Edwardsville on October 3 of this year and was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week the next day. She assisted on the game-winning goal in the Bears’ overtime win vs. Creighton on October 22.

Missouri State Bears, Jessica Teahan (2012)

Teahan was named to her second-straight All-MVC first team. She was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII second team earlier this week. She earned Academic All-MVC first team in 2009 and has started every match for Missouri State over the past two seasons. Her five shutouts and eight victories this season have helped her career 0.86 goals against average remain the best in team history.

Nia Williams, Missouri State Bears (2013)

Nia Williams earned her third Valley honor after being named to the honorable mention and all-freshman teams a year ago. She leads the Bears with five assists this season, four of which were in consecutive matches from Sept. 3-12. Williams has been the Bears primary corner taker this season and has been a stalwart on defense matching up against some of the best players in the league. She was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week on September 7 this year, her first weekly honor.

Grace Cross, MSU (2013) battles Jacqueline Paz, UALR (2012)

Grace Cross received her first Valley nod with the second-team selection. She scored her first career goal on October 1 against Indiana State, the game-winner with just six seconds remaining in regulation. Her first career assist, also a game-winner, came in last week’s win over Evansville. Cross has been a versatile midfielder for the Bears, able to jump into an offensive rush or drop back and help out defensively.

Brooke Williams, Missouri State Bears (2014)

In addition to her All-MVC honorable mention honor, Brooke Williams is the lone Bear on the MVC All-Freshman team. She leads the team in goals (5), points (11), shots (28), shots on goal (20) and shots on goal percentage (.714). Her five goals are the most by an MSU freshman since Kate Blair scored eight in 2004.

FIRST TEAM
^Jessica Teahan Missouri State GK Jr.
Natalie McCabe Illinois State D Jr.
Vanessa Legault-Cordisco Evansville D Fr.
#Jordan Reppell Missouri State D Sr.
Claire Zach Creighton D Sr.
^Jessica Carlson Illinois State MF Jr.
Alison Gasparovich Indiana State MF Jr.
Laura Moklestad Drake MF So.
Breanna Beine Evansville F Fr.
^Brittney Neumann Creighton F So.
Andrea Zuniga Creighton F Jr.
#Three-Time First-Team Selection; ^Two-Time First-Team Selection

SECOND TEAM
Kalena Litch Drake GK Fr.
Casey Allbright Indiana State D So.
Megan Fisher Drake D Fr.
Nia Williams Missouri State D So.
Grace Cross Missouri State MF So.
Seyma Erenli Indiana State MF Jr.
Kiki McClellan UNI MF So.
Emily Orbell Creighton MF Sr.
Lauren Cingoranelli Creighton F Fr.
Paige Dusek Drake F Fr.
Alyssa Schulz Illinois State F Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Emily Lahay Indiana State GK
Alicia Montgomery Creighton GK
Sam Conrad Evansville D
Sam Copley UNI D
Bailey Dorrington Drake D
Erin Gunther Creighton MF
Allie Newsom Illinois State MF
Anna Stinson Illinois State MF
Ali Walsh Drake MF
Chelsie Hochstedler UNI F
Kaitlin Robinett Evansville F
Brooke Williams Missouri State F

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Breanna Beine Evansville F
Lauren Cingoranelli Creighton F
Sam Copley UNI D
Paige Dusek Drake F
Megan Fisher Drake D
Vanessa Legault-Cordisco Evansville D
Kalena Litch Drake GK
Allie Newsom Illinois State MF
Kaitlin Robinett Evansville F
Anna Stinson Illinois State MF
Brooke Williams Missouri State F

Springfield MO Soccer

Southwest Missouri's Soccer Resource

Monthly Archives: December 2010