Monthly Archives: December 2010

Notre Dame vs Stanford in Final on ESPN2

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From Soccer America: Top-ranked Stanford will take an unbeaten record into the final of the NCAA Division I Women’s Tournament for the second year in a row thanks to its 2-0 win over Boston College in Friday’s semifinals in Cary, N.C. The Cardinal moves on to face Notre Dame, which beat Ohio State, 1-0, in the other semifinal.

What: NCAA D1 Women’s Final
When: 11am Central on ESPN2
Delayed Broadcast available at 4:00 pm on ESPNU, also available on ESPN3.com

Camille Levin and Lindsay Taylor scored early and late in the second half to lead Stanford past BC in a rematch of their season opener that ended in a 1-1 tie.

Stymied all game by Katie Baumgardner who made a career-high 10 saves, Notre Dame finally went ahead on freshman Mandy Laddish’s goal in the 83rd minute and got a break in the 89th minute when Paige Maxwell beat Notre Dame goalkeeper Nikki Weiss, but her shot hit the left post.

Laddish is a freshman from St Teresa’s Academy, one of five players from that school on the Irish squad. The KC Star offered Laddish leads Notre Dame into NCAA soccer finals in Saturday’s paper.

Laddish played here in Springfield in the Kickapoo Shootout in April 2008. FLICKR Photos

The Growth of 4-2-3-1

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Jonathan Wilson, in the Guardian, looked at The Question: why has 4-4-2 been superseded by 4-2-3-1? in this article from 2008. It came to mind as I watched the U17 International Friendlies on Wednesday, with the US lining up in the formation. Jonathan answered his own question with the comment that the coming of 4-2-3-1 was a natural progression from 4-4-2, and in the last five years nearly all tactical innovations are developments of the formation.

Fielding five midfielders was for a long time considered a negative tactic, but that is dependent entirely on the make-up of the five. It is still a commonplace of English punditry to speak of teams not playing “two up” as being negative, but even a glance at a team-sheet should show what nonsense that it. Take, for example, France in the Euro 2000 final with Youri Djorkaeff, Zinedine Zidane and Christoph Dugarry playing off Thierry Henry, or Portugal in the same tournament with Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Sergio Conceicao playing off Nuno Gomes. Take Spain in the final of Euro 2008, with Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregás, Xavi and David Silva arrayed behind Fernando Torres.

As ever in tactical matters, the sense is that British football lags behind. In Spain, for instance, 4-2-3-1 was common by 2000, and within a couple of years had become almost a default. Perhaps that is not surprising, for it was in Spain that the formation first developed as something distinct from 4-4-2.

Check out The Question: why has 4-4-2 been superseded by 4-2-3-1? for all the details

Register Now For Survivor: Thunderdome 4v4 Indoor Tourney

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thunderdome posterCrowder College is proud to present Survivor :Thunderdome on Friday March 4, Saturday March 5 and Sunday March 6, 2011 in the Bob Sneller Gymnasium. Thunderdome is the longest running indoor tournament in the country and follows a modified Futsal format. It is an open tournament. Teams are organized into groups of four and guaranteed three matches. The top team from each group advance to a single elimination knock-out tournament.

Teams will be accepted on a first come/first served basis. The first twenty-four teams will be included – teams will be accepted in groups of four after that. The absolute deadline for registration is Monday February 21, 2011. The cost per team is $225 which includes a Tournament T’Shirt for each team member. Payment must be received prior to your team being included in the Draw.

THUNDERDOME ENTRY FORM

We are considering opening a Women’s Tournament to be run at the same time – if you know anyone interested in playing on the women’s side please let us know.

Each player will be required to sign a waiver before their team’s first match and rosters will be frozen at that time. Play is conducted with four field players and a goalkeeper. The roster may include up to 10 people. No one is allowed to play for more than one team.

The Draw, Schedule, Rules and Guidelines will be sent to those that choose to participate by Friday February 25, 2011. Please join us for a wonderful weekend of Futsal and jocularity. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Brad Smith
Tournament Director
417-455-5443

Missouri High School Soccer – Class 3 Western Region Recognition

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Co-Player of the Year: Ray Lee, Park Hill
Co-Player of the Year: Doug Stevenson, Rockhurst
Defensive Players of the Year: Michael Oakley, Lee’s Summit North
Offensive Player of the Year: David Zdvorak, Park Hill
Goalkeeper of the Year: Shane VanHooser, Park Hill
Coach of the Year: Chris Lawson, Rockhurst

GK – Shane VanHooser, Sr, Park Hill
D – Michael Oakley, Sr, Lee’s Summit North
D – Grant Wilson, Sr, Rockhurst
D – Evan Bailey, Sr, Lee’s Summit
MF – Raymond Lee, Sr, Park Hill
MF – Doug Stevenson, Sr, Rockhurst
MF – Derek Schrick, Jr, Rockhurst
MF – Tyson McGuire, Sr, Park Hill South
F – Shane Woods, Jr, Kearney
F – Michael Panarisi, So, Lee’s Summit North
F – David Zdvorak, Sr, Park Hill

Final Rankings
1 – Rockhurst (24-5-1)
2 – Park Hill (25-3-1)
3 – Lee’s Summit (15-5-0)
4 – Lee’s Summit North (17-5-1)
5 – Kearney (15-13-0)
6 – Park Hill South (20-6-0)
7 – Lee’s Summit West (16-9-0)
8 – Liberty (10-12-0)
9 – Oak Park (17-8-0)
10 – Raymore-Peculiar (12-15-0)

Download the Full List (including 2nd Team and Honorable Mention) – WESTERN REGION TEAM 2010

Women’s D1 Final 4 On ESPN Today

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From US Today: The Women’s College Cup opens at WakeMed Soccer Park, in Cary, NC later today. The Final 4 features a Big Ten team in the Ohio State Buckeyes for the first time since 2005. The third-seeded Buckeyes (17-4-2) advanced to the College Cup for the first time in program history and meet No. 4 Notre Dame (19-2-2) Friday with a chance to move on to the national championship match Sunday (ESPN2, 11 am CT).

Ohio State became the first Big Ten team to earn a spot in the College Cup since 2005, while Notre Dame advanced to its fifth in a row, dispatching defending champion North Carolina 4-1 in the process.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 1 Stanford (22-0-2) clashes with No. 2 Boston College (17-6-1). Boston College is also making its first College Cup appearance while Stanford is in for a fourth time. Neither program has an NCAA title, although Stanford advanced to the title game last season, falling 1-0 to North Carolina.

With a win Sunday, Stanford would net the school’s 100th NCAA team championship. The Cardinals are undefeated so far this season with a 22-0-2 record. The last time these teams met the contest ended in a 1-1 tie after two overtimes.

SCHEDULE
3:00 PM – NOTRE DAME-OHIO STATE, semifinal (ESPN2)
5:30 PM – STANFORD-BOSTON COLLEGE, semifinal (ESPN2)

Juniors & Seniors – Register For Midwest Indoor College Showcase

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College Coaches at 1st Showcase

College Coaches at 1st Showcase

Returning for the 4th year is the Midwest Indoor College Showcase, the one day event is an opportunity for High School juniors and seniors to showcase their skills in front of regional college coaches.

What: Midwest Indoor College Showcase
When: Monday, January 17, 2011
9:00 am – 5:00 PM on the Martin Luther King Holiday
Where: Lake Country Soccer Indoor Dome
2334 East Pythian Street, Springfield, MO 65802-6506

WHY: Numerous College Coaches will be in the same place at the same time. With only one field to watch at a time, you are guaranteed to be seen!
HOW: Register online at www.springfieldsportsclub.com
COST: $60 per player which includes t-shirt and contact information for college coaches
Questions? email springfieldsc@gmail.com

Download the SSC College Showcase Flyer

Sponsored by Springfield Soccer Club but Open To Everyone – Why come to Springfield?
* Numerous College Coaches from all collegiate levels
* Over 100 players will be in attendance
* Play in a minimum of 2 games
* 6v6 including keeper so your ability will be on display
* Continuous play with walls and nets surrounding the field

College Coaches that attended in the past: Missouri State University, Drake University, University of Central
Arkansas, Drury University, Missouri Southern State University, Missouri S&T, Lyon College, William Jewell College, William Woods, Westminster, Fontbonne, William Baptist University, Loras,Wartburg, Butler County CC, John Brown, Neosho County CC, Missouri Valley, Hendrix, Crowder College and many others.

World Cup Awarded To Russia and Qatar

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Al-Wakrah-football-stadium-qatar

A model of the Al-Wakrah stadium in Doha which would be air-conditioned for the 2022 World Cup. Photograph: Fadi Al-Assaad/Reuters

The best story I saw in advance of the FIFA announcement today awarding the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar (over the US) was offered by Louise Taylor of the Guardian – Why the heat is on Fifa to give the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. I’ll cut to the key technical details:

Delivered inside a miniature football ground, it detailed how Qatar will harness carbon neutral solar energy to air-conditioned stadiums if it wins the race to host the 2022 World Cup.

The technological wizardry is already virtually foolproof but, to a scientific dunce, the really exciting thing about such innovation is its potential geopolitical and historical impact.

If the 40C June heat (104 fahrenheit!) no longer presents an insurmountable barrier, a key excuse for failing to award the Middle East a World Cup is removed. And, as everyone I spoke to said: “Qatar winning this would be about far more than just football.”

I’ll add links to other stories as they come out.

Sunil Gulati, President US Soccer – Letter in response to Bid result

A favorite soccer writer called the winners a year ago. Check out Bill Archer’s take on the results (At Least We’re Not England) and read his correct predictions of the winners from a year ago.

Missouri High School Soccer – Class 2 District 10 Recognition

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The 2010 Class 2 District 10 All-District teams as chosen by the Coaches. Includes District Champions Cassville along with Carl Junction, Aurora and Monett.

1st Team
Goalkeeper – Nii Addo Abrahams, Carl Junction, Senior
Defender – Zane Cassady, Carl Junction, Senior
Defender – Levi Pueppke, Cassville, Sophomore
Defender – Beki Breshears, Aurora, Senior
Midfielder – Jacob Bain, Aurora, Senior
Midfielder – Corey Sanders, Cassville, Senior
Midfielder – Abraham Mejia, Monett, Senior
Midfielder – Pedro Almaraz, Monett, Senior
Forward – RJ Pericola, Carl Junction, Junior
Forward – Jack Tate, Carl Junction, Senior
Forward – BJ McGuffey, Cassville, Senior

2nd Team
Goalkeeper, Freddy Lopez, Monett, Junior
Defender – Cassey Sheely, Carl Junction, Senior
Defender – Carter Richardson, Carl Junction, Sophmore
Defender – Garret Barnes, Cassville, Junior
Defender – Ricardo Ortega, Monett, Junior
Midfielder – Jordan Bailey, Cassville, Senior
Midfielder – Jesus Zermeno, Cassville, Junior
Midfielder – Travis Thompson, Monett, Junior
Midfielder – Sergio Rodriguez, Aurora, Junior
Forward – Jordan Keller, Carl Junction, Junior
Forward – Bryce Hill, Aurora, Senior
Forward – Cody Corcoran, Aurora, Senior

Missouri High School Soccer: Class 3 District 9 Recognition

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Ryan Taylor, Rockbridge Bruins (2011) in 3rd Place game

Ryan Taylor, Rockbridge Bruins (2011) in 3rd Place game

2010 ALL DISTRICT 9 TEAM as chosen by the Coaches. Includes Rock Bridge, District champions and 4th 3rd in State this year (a 1-1 tie with SLUH), as well as Hickman, Jefferson City, Smith-Cotton and Washington.

1st Team
Adam Brenner, 12 – D, Hickman
Connor Hollrah, 12 – M, Hickman
Andy Atkins , 12 – M, Hickman
Cody Meyer , 12 – F, Smith Cotton
Tommy Lor, 12 – M, Smith Cotton
Dakota Shepard, 12 – D, Smith Cotton
Brady Wulff, 12 – GK, Rockbridge
Matt Kelly, 11 – F, Rockbridge
Ryan Schmidt, 11 - M, Rockbridge
Danny Baird , 12 – M, Rockbridge
Ryan Taylor , 12 – M, Rockbridge
Tanner Bone, 11 – D, Jeff City
Nick Anglen, 12 – M, Jeff City
Tyler Luebbert, 11 – F, Jeff City
CJ Loehnor, 11 – GK, Jeff City
Anthony Barnhart, 12 – D, Washington
Tyler Schrader, 11 – F, Washington

2nd Team
Pat Moore, 11 – M, Washington
Tanner Kertz, 12 – D, Washington
Cole Baumgartner, 11 – D, Jeff City
Sergio Celada, 10 – D, Jeff City
Adam Luektemeyer, 12 – M, Jeff City
Claude Ruboneka, 11 – D, Jeff City
Kory McDonald, 11 – D, Rockbridge
Sam Stoeckl, 11 – D, Rockbridge
Trevor Davis, 12 – M, Rockbridge
Tyler Griggs, 11 – F, Rockbridge
Jonathan Gunter, 12 – M, Rockbridge
Grahm Meyer, 11 – D, Hickman
Alex Holliday, 11 – F, Hickman
Brian Willcox, 12 – M, Hickman
Austin Anderson, 12 – D, Smith Cotton
Trevor Leary, 12 – D, Smith Cotton
Spencer Howell, 12 -F, Smith Cotton

Honorable Mention
Ricky Bain, 12 – F, Smith Cotton
Justin Biesnicks, 12 – M, Smith Cotton
Matt McKeever, 10 – GK, Washington
Jacob Spratt, 11 – D, Washington
Thomas Pekkala, 12 – D, Hickman
Eric Pekkala, 12 – D, Hickman
Eli Sherman, 10 – F, Rockbridge
Ryan Stanowski, 10 – M, Rockbridge
Tyler Brittain, 11 – M, Rockbridge
Austin Powell, 11 - M, Rockbridge
Dylan Brauner, 10 – M, Jeff City
Aaron Crane, 9 – F, Jeff City
Nathan Luebbert, 9 – M, Jeff City

Missouri High School Soccer, Class 1 District 9 Honors

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Rich Heenan, Crocker Lions

Rich Heenan, Crocker Lions

MSHSAA Class 1, District 9 2010 All-District Team as chosen by the Coaches. Includes District champion Crocker along with Laquey, Dixon and Richland.

1st Team
Teddy Zeigenbein, F, Crocker (MVP)
A.J. Imilkowski, F, Crocker
Cody Gibson, M, Crocker
Nick Goodrich, D, Crocker
Rich Heenan, GK, Crocker
Chris Wilson, D, Laquey
Tyler Smith, F, Laquey
Austin Ray, F, Dixon
Dusty Allen, M, Dixon
Gasper Mata, M, Richland
Gary Rider, F, Richland

Honorable Mention
Cody Williams, M, Crocker
Austin Williamson, D, Dixon
Ryan Watson, GK, Laquey
Aaron Tallant, M, Richland