Women’s Open All Tournament Team
Mariah McClain, University of Missouri Most Outstanding Goalkeeper
Lou Opfer (Springfield Glendale), University of Missouri, MVP

Lauren Stockwell, University of Missouri
Alyssa Weatherly, University of Missouri
Melissa Murphy, University of Missouri
Nicole Newell, University of Missouri
Emily Chang, University of California, Berkeley
Mendy Berglin, University of California, Berkeley
Jane Rhodes, University of Southern California
Maliakelly White, University of Colorado
Kelsie Dickerson, University of California, Berkeley
Meagan Reitz, University of Illinois

With a pair of 2-0 wins, the first over James Madison followed by a similar result against Illinois on Saturday, the Mizzou Women’s Club Soccer program captured first place in the Open Division of the National Campus Championship Series, run by NIRSA, the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.

For more details, check out the Tournament blog and visit the Mizzou Facebook page to offer your congratulations.

In 2010 the MU Women’s Club Soccer Team came in 3rd place at the NIRSA National Championships in Phoenix, Arizona. The team also finished the Kansas-Missouri Soccer League with the best overall record and played in a championship game at the Region 4 Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. In 2009 the team won the Region IV Soccer Tournament at Kansas State University and qualified as a top 24 team for the NIRSA National Tournament where they placed 17th in the Championship bracket.

Bradley receives their bid despite falling to Creighton in the MVC Conference semifinal. The reasons for their choice can likely be found in these two categories:

BEATING THE BEST
Bradley owns a 3-0-1 record against teams that are the No. 1 seeds in their respective conference tournaments … All three of the non-conference games versus eventual league champions were played away from home:

vs. South Florida - Big East - Win by 2-1 (ot)
vs. South Carolina - Conference USA – Tie of 2-2 (2ot)
at Western Illinois - Summit League - Win of 1-0
Missouri State - Missouri Valley – Win of 1-0

ROAD RESULTS
Bradley enters the MVC Tournament with a 6-2-0 true road record and a 7-2-1 overall record away from home … Of the teams in the top 30 of Tuesday’s NCAA RPI report, Bradley was one of only nine schools with as many as six wins away from home … Bradley began last week as one of only 16 teams in the entire country with as many as six wins away from home.

Here is the entire bracket announcement. Games begin Thursday November 17th at home fields, leading to second round games on Sunday.

Missouri State has advanced to the finals five times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2011). The Bears will be looking for their first win in four title tries against the Bluejays. In 1999, Missouri State was crowned MVC Tournament champion with a 2-1 overtime victory over Bradley.

1:00 pm – Missouri Valley Championship CREIGHTON vs MISSOURI STATE – Fox Midwest/ESPN3
I’m rooting for Missouri State today. Creighton’s a lock for the NCAA, with an RPI of #1, so a Bear’s win gets the Missouri Valley two teams again this year (Bradley and Creighton last year).

ST. LOUIS – Creighton, the nation’s top-ranked team in the NCAA’s RPI report and the 2nd-ranked team in the NSCAA national rankings, has claimed the league’s top individual honor, with the Bluejays’ senior forward Ethan Finlay taking the league’s Player of the Year honors. Creighton’s Andrew Duran has been tabbed the Valley’s Defensive Player of the Year, while Bluejay senior Brian Holt has been named the Goalkeeper of the Year. Finlay, Duran and Holt headline a list of 23 student-athletes named to the 2011 MVC All-Conference teams, selected by the coaches, and announced by the league office Thursday. The all-conference teams will be recognized at an awards reception tonight in Omaha, Neb.

Eight Missouri State men’s soccer players were named to all-conference teams announced at the annual banquet held prior to the State Farm MVC Men’s Soccer Championship on Thursday evening. Senior forward Heath Melugin highlighted the Bears award winners after being named to the All-MVC first team for the first time in his career.

All five seniors were placed on an all-conference squad as Thomas Vania was named to the second team, while Gerard Barbero, David Buckenheimer and Jordan Hoffman received honorable mention recognition. Three Bears were named to the MVC All-Freshman team including James Fawke, Parker Maher and Andrew Turner.

Melugin has continued his impressive career on and off the field during his senior campaign. The Springfield, Mo. native earned one MVC Offensive Player of the Week honor, two Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards, and was recently named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI first team. Throughout league play, he ranked among the MVC’s best in several categories as he was tied for the conference-lead in points (8), goals (3) and game-winning goals (2) heading into the postseason. On the year, the preseason All-MVC selection led the Bears in points, goals, shots, shots on goal and game-winners. With his performances this season, Melugin now ranks fifth on MSU’s career list for game-winners (7), seventh in goals (21) and ninth in points (51).

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For the full list of 2nd Team, Honorable Mention and Full Freshman squad, click here

Additionally the MIAA announced that is has extended invitations to Harding University, Southern Nazarene University and Upper Iowa University to begin the process to become Associate Members of the MIAA for the purpose of playing men’s soccer in the MIAA.

“I am pleased that our membership has endorsed and approved men’s soccer as a championship sport,” stated Dr. Bob Boerigter, Commissioner of the MIAA. “In addition, we believe the inclusion of these three schools will not only add competitive opportunities for our schools but also quality Division II in-region competition.”

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That leaves just Evangel and OTC without teams in the region. Evangel is the only member of the HAAC without men’s soccer as noted before while OTC seems to revel in its campus growth without supporting the related elements that Crowder, East Central, St Louis Community College and other schools within the state offer. Even Missouri State – West Plains offers sports for its students.

Heath can thank this post on my otherwise dormant site to a current Kickapoo player with dreams of D1 stardom. His Mom was kind enough to purchase some photos from the Glendale derby game when I was in Springfield a month ago and I shared some comments on her son’s strong performance that evening. That begat a recruiting email exchange. When she brought up the families D1 aspirations, I shared my opinion that I thought her son might be better served considering D2 or D3. The conversation ended at that point, I haven’t heard back from them.

I understand that folks don’t want to hear my frank assessment but I do want their child to have a positive college experience and pursuing a Division 1 dream requires not only talent but good grades and hard work, both on and off the pitch. The same holds true for D2, D3 and NAIA programs but I see more players leave D1 programs, thus interrupting their college experience, arguably the best time you will have in your life. Take a look at the list of College Players I maintained for several years and you’ll get an idea.

When I look at the players who grew up in this region and went on to college play, two played four years of Division 1 soccer and had significant careers. Nick Dryden, West Plains/Missouri State and Heath Melugin, Kickapoo/Missouri State.

Nick Dryden (West Plains) played at Missouri State from 2006 – 2009, starting 61 of 80 games during his four years with his sophomore (18 of 20) and junior (22 of 22) accounting for the most significant contributions. Playing as a defender, he scored 4 goals and had 1 assist during that period.

Here is Heath’s bio from the Missouri State Bears site:
At Missouri State: Melugin, who was selected to the 2011 preseason All-MVC team with teammate Gerard Barbero, will look to add to his productive career and be a major contributor to the Bears’ offense this season.

2010: Melugin was the front runner of a Bears offense that was very productive in 2010. Melugin earned his third letter with team starting in 17 of the teams 18 matches and led the team in several categories such as goals, points, shots and shots on goal. Against Southern Methodist (9/1), Melugin tallied his first goal of the season off a Gerard Barbero assist. He then came back three games later and added his second goal of the season against IUPUI. The scoring didn’t stop coming from Melugin, he added another goal against Louisville (9/18). His fourth goal came on the road against conference opponent Eastern Illinois. Melugin helped secure the win against conference rival Evansville with fifth goal of the season. He turned around six days later and added his sixth goal of the season against Memphis (10/26). That was the second time during the season that Melugin recorded a goal in consecutive games. His only assist of the season came against Bradley (10/30) to Gerard Barbero. Heath added his seventh and final goal of the season against Evansville in the MVC conference tournament (11/10). For his achievements on the field, Melugin received second team All-MVC Team, MVC All-Tournament Team, and second team NSCAA All-Midwest Region Team. As successful as Melugin was on the field he was far more successful off the field. He received the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award, first team MVC Scholar-Athlete Team, Prairie Farms/MissouriValley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week (10/27), second team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-American, and first team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII for his work in the classroom and in the Springfield community.

2009: Melugin earned his second letter after scoring a team-high six goals while starting 18 of 19 matches played. His 31 shots taken and 13 shots on goal each ranked second on the team. In the Bears’ match against UMKC (9/5), Melugin scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 Missouri State victory. He registered his second career multi-goal match scoring twice, including the game-winner, and adding an assist in a 4-0 win over Centenary (La.) (9/16). He recorded an unassisted goal against Bradley (10/24). He tallied another unassisted goal in the 74th minute of the MVC Tournament semifinal against Evansville (11/13) to tie the match and send it into overtime. He was named to the MVC All-Tournament team for his effort. He netted to Bears’ only goal in the NCAA Tournament loss at Saint Louis (11/19). Off the field, Melugin was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete and the COSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII first teams for his success in the classroom.

2008: Melugin made the most of his first season on campus as he finished tied for second on the team in total points (8) while contributing 15 starts and appearing in all 22 of the Bears’ games. He found the net three times, including two game winners, while compiling 25 shots on the season. His first collegiate goal and game-winner came against Howard (10/3), and against Central Arkansas (10/8) he knocked in two goals, including the game winner. Melugin added two assists against Drake (10/11) and Eastern Illinois (11/12). He ended the season with 10 straight starts, including all of the Bears’ conference games in the regular season and the MVC Tournament. Melugin was honored for his outstanding performance by being named to the MVC all-freshmen team.

Background: Melugin finished his prep career at Springfield Kickapoo first in career points and assists, season points and assists, and second in career goals with 115 and goals in a season with 55 in 2007. As team captain his senior year, Melugin was named first-team all-district, all-conference, all-Ozarks, all-region, all-Midwest and all-state. He was also named district and regional MVP as he helped his team through district, conference, sectional, and quarterfinals to a third place finish. As a junior, Melugin suffered a season-ending injury at the mid-point of the season, but still managed to collect first-team all-district, all-conference, all-Ozarks, all-region and second-team all-state honors. Melugin was also a four-year member of the Missouri and Region II Olympic Development Program teams. He traveled with the Region II team to Los Angeles and Costa Rica.

Personal: Heath Philip Melugin is the son of Phil and Kimberly Melugin. He was born Jan. 9, 1990, in Wichita, Kan. He is majoring in cell and molecular biology at MSU. Melugin, who has a 3.97 cumulative GPA in cell and molecular biology, was recently accepted to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Heath Melugin at Missouri State
Year MP-MS Sh G A Pts. GW
2008 22-15 25 3 2 8 2
2009 19-18 31 6 1 13 2
2010 18-17 48 7 1 15 2
Career 59-50 104 16 4 36 6

Other recent players include

Devon Newport (Glendale) started strong at St Louis University, earning regular starts and playing time at outside midfield as a freshman and moving into an attacking midfielder role his sophomore year when he finished as one of the leading scorers for the Billikens. He played in one exhibition game for the Billikens this year and then transferred to SIUE where he is on the roster but ineligible to play. He should play a key role for the Cougars his final two years where his former Club coach, Jeremy Alumbaugh, is an assistant on the Cougars staff.

Graham Basecke (Glendale) was Newports Club teammate on two state championship teams as well as anchoring the Falcon’s defense when they finished 2nd at State three years ago. He began his career at Indiana where he red-shirted, transferred to SLU and has since left the team.

Ryan Moses (Kickapoo) was one of four Springfield SC teammates (with Newport and Basecke) who began at SLU and transferred to Missouri State this season where he has played in half of the games, starting one.

Tommy Tombridge (Kickapoo) is the fourth SSC player from the two-time State Championship squad to go D1, signing with Northwestern. As a goalkeeper, he was waiting for the established starter the last two years. This, his junior season, he has played in 3 games, starting 1 as a freshman has taken the starting position.

Max Duncan (Joplin) started 9 games and played in 16 of the 18 games the Drake Bulldogs played in 2010 as a freshman. He made the MVC All-Freshman team as well. He is no longer listed on the roster and I have heard from sources that he is once again living in Joplin and working for the family business.

Parker Maher (Joplin), who has started 7 of the 13 games Missouri State had played when I began this piece, is one of 11 players who also have over 700 minutes played this season. Maher, and his twin brother, both graduated a year early from Joplin and Parker has the tools to become one of the best if he can stay healthy.

Tyler Williams (Kickapoo) was recruited to Southern Methodist where he was rostered as a freshman but did not play to my knowledge. He is now pursuing a photography career.

There are other players who have made a significant impact at their school by finding a good fit. The photo at the top, from 2006 features Tyler Williams (1st from left), along with Melugin (2nd) and John Duncan (4th) with his brother Max (6th) following a District game at Joplin that year. John Duncan played in the NCAA Tourney twice with the WashU Bears and earned kudos from his coach as well as a great degree.

Patrick Carver (Parkview) went on to achieve All-American status two years while playing at Emory.

So what do you think? Where does Heath fit and what are your recruiting plans?

SUNDAY, OCT. 30, 6 p.m.
Plaster Sports Complex
• Theme: “Soccer Salutes Service”
• Pregame tribute to: EMT/First-Responders, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Relief Workers
• Commemorate 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001
• Commemorate rebuilding efforts in Joplin
• Family Fun Zone – 4 p.m.
• First 400 fans receive free t-shirt, compliments of Verizon Wireless

• FREE ADMISSION FOR:
• Missouri State students
• Law enforcement
• Firefighters
• EMT/Rescue/First responders
• Medical personnel
• Military personnel
• High school students
• Children

• $3 admission for Missouri State faculty & staff
• $5 general admission
• $1 from every ticket sold goes to support Code 3 Sertoma, which helps families of service personnel killed in line of duty

• Suites are available!
Pizza, snacks, beverages provided, Additional game tickets provided
Gift from Missouri State men’s soccer team provided
A great location for your Club or Group, protected from the weather

Contact Coach Jon Leamy at

• jonleamy@missouristate.edu
• 417-836-5243

• For more information/to follow us:

• www.msulegacygame.com
• Twitter: @msulegacygame
• Facebook.com/msulegacygame

Missouri State Bears, Heath Melugin (2012)

The historic win can be viewed on Mediacom, channel 22 on Friday, October 14 at 7 p.m., Sunday, October 16 at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, October 18 at 4 p.m. In addition, the replay of the game will be made available on Mediacom On-Demand. The only other televised Missouri State men’s soccer game was the MSU 5-0 win over Texas-Pan American on October 10, 1996 at Cooper Field.

From MissouriStateBears.com – In its first-ever win over a top-five opponent, the Missouri State men’s soccer team (4-5-2, 2-0 Missouri Valley Conference) upset No. 4 Creighton (10-2, 0-1 MVC) in a 1-0 shutout on Wednesday at Plaster Field. The Bears have won three out of the past four matches and registered their second shutout of the season.

“The defense came out prepared, they were organized, played tight zones,” said head coach Jon Leamy. “That’s how we got the first goal. Heath pressured well, got mixed up with their goalkeeper and buried it and put us on top. It’s a big win for us.”

Missouri State’s game-winner came halfway through the first half on a Creighton defensive breakdown. A ricocheted ball off of Bluejay goalkeeper Brian Holt conveniently made its way back to Heath Melugin who took full advantage of the blunder. From 15 yards out, the senior midfielder chipped the ball into a wide open net to put the Bears up 1-0 in the 23rd minute. Melugin has now scored in two consecutive matches and moved into the team lead in points with seven and tied for the team lead in goals with two.

Taylor Arens (2015) and Caleb Collier (2013), Missouri S&T Miners

The team includes a pair of Springfield players, freshman Taylor Arens (Catholic/Springfield SC) and junior Caleb Collier (Kickapoo/Springfield SC), pictured after practice today.

The Miner’s are coming off a season that included a share of the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s regular season championship, followed by a run to the title game of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional, losing to eventual national champion Northern Kentucky.

The Miners were picked to finish third in the 16-team conference race in the league’s coaches poll released Wednesday, just after landing a No. 13 national ranking in the pre-season for Division II by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America – the same spot S&T finished in the final national poll a year ago.

Katelyn Fredrickson, Missouri State Bears

The Post-Dispatch talked to Head Coach Denny Bozesky about the event

“We’ve gotten close as a U-23 team; we were national runners-up in 2008 and 2009 and lost out in pool play last year in Kansas City,” said JB Marine’s Denny Bozesky, who coaches along with John Hayes and Larry Hulcer. “It can be tough putting together a team at this level because the players have so many things going on in their lives, but we’ve put together a team that we feel can compete.”

Starters for JB Marine are goalkeeper Jamie Farrell (Incarnate Word/IUPUI), defenders Courtney Hulcer (St. Joseph’s/SLU), Claire Hulcer (St. Joe’s/Tulsa), Mackenzie Ayer (Tulsa) and Emily Viviano (SLU), midfielders Allison Hu (Duchesne/Missouri), Ashley Hayes (IWA/SLU), Casey Berrier (Parkway Central/Loyola of Chicago) and Lauren Bozesky (Ursuline/SLU/SEMO) and forwards Becky Handley (St. Joe’s/Tulsa) and Katelyn Frederickson (Nerinx Hall/Missouri State).

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Drew Fitzgerald, Missouri State Bears

“Drew has great attention to detail both on and off the field,” said Brewer. “He sees the game well and helped us to make positive adjustments last season. He has a good rapport with the team. Drew should hit the ground running and help keep the positive momentum going for us.”

Before coming to Missouri State, Fitzgerald spent four seasons as a women’s soccer assistant coach at McNeese State. As an assistant with the Cowgirls, he helped the squad to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006. He also helped guide the team to the Southland Conference Championship in 2007. In 2008, he aided the team, which reached the Southland Conference Tournament finals.

“I’m very excited to join the Missouri State staff this year and am eager to begin the season,” said Fitzgerald. “Missouri State has a great tradition and Coach Brewer has a consistent record of winning. Our student-athletes have demonstrated great character on the field and in the classroom. I count myself lucky to be a part of this program.”

Fitzgerald was the head coach of the Texas A&M men’s club soccer team before landing at McNeese State. As head coach of A&M’s club team, he led them to the 2004 NIRSA National Championship. His team was undefeated that season.

Fitzgerald earned a B.S. in Journalism (2001) and an M.S. in Sport Management (2005) from Texas A&M. He also received his NSCAA National Diploma, Goalkeeper I & II diploma and the USSF National “D” License.

Fitzgerald’s hire is pending final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next meeting.

The women’s soccer team begins the regular season on Friday, August 19 at UALR. The team’s home opener is Friday, September 2 with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Kansas at Plaster Field.

Ger Coppinger

“Ger is a great addition to the Missouri State soccer program,” stated Leamy. “He brings energy, enthusiasm and experience that will continue the fine line of outstanding coaches we have had here at Missouri State. He has a great goalkeeping background as both a player and a coach. We are excited to bring him on board.”

Coppinger comes to Missouri State after spending last fall as the men’s and women’s goalkeeper coach at Missouri Baptist University. He also coached the U-17 O’Fallon Kixx men’s team for two seasons, leading them to the State Cup tournament in one of those seasons.