Drury Women’s Soccer Completes Five-Member Recruiting Class

Drury women’s soccer coach Alf Bilbao has announced the completion of a five-member recruiting class for the 2011-12 season – including three Springfield prep standouts – for the Panthers.

Joining the DU program this fall are:

Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons (2011)

Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons (2011)

Emily Cline – Forward from Springfield’s Glendale High School who plans to play both soccer and basketball at Drury. Emily currently has a school-record 42 goals on the season after scoring six goals in one game in a state playoff win over Parkview. An All-State selection as a junior and headed for that honor again this season, Cline was recently inducted into the Glendale Athletics Hall of Fame and received the MSHSAA Citizenship/Sportsmanship Award. An all-region performer in 2009 and 2010, she was the district’s Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and is also a member of the Springfield Soccer Clu “Emily is a very powerful, athletic player who is dominant in the air,” Bilbao says. “She can create numerous problems for backs with her pace, toughness and determination. She is a valuable addition to the team.”

Sarah Duffy – A central midfielder from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, OK who led Bishop Kelley to a State Championship in 2008 and 2010, and is competing for a third title this spring. She’s an all-district performer and a member of the Tulsa Blitz club team. “Sarah is a very smart, energetic attacking player that will be able to play numerous positions for us,” Bilbao says. “She is an extremely competitive individual on the field.”

Shelby Hatz, Springfield Catholic (2011)

Shelby Hatz, Springfield Catholic (2011)

Shelby Hatz – Forward from Springfield Catholic High School in Springfield, MO. Hatz led the Fightin’ Irish to a Class 1 state title in 2010 and has her team back for another title run this spring. She’s a two-time Class 1 Co-Offensive Player of the Year for the Central/Southwest Region and a two-time Missouri all-state selection (2009, 2010).She plays for the Springfield Soccer Club as well as the Scott Gallagher-Moser group in St. Louis. “Shelby is an incredibly pacey front runner/wide player that will give us an added attacking dimension,” Bilbao says. “Her ability to find the back of the net will certainly help us in the future.”

Andrea Parker, Springfield Catholic (2011)

Andrea Parker, Springfield Catholic (2011)

Andrea Parker – Centerback from Springfield Catholic High School in Springfield, MO. Andrea is also a member of the 2010 state championship team and an all-region selection who earned honorable mention all-state honors her junior season. She, too, plays for the Springfield Soccer Club. “Andrea is able to play at the center of defense or as a defensive midfielder,” Bilbao says. “She is a very athletic and a tough back that will develop into a very good college soccer player.”

Caitlin Redmond – A back from Thomas Edison Preparatory High School in Tulsa, OK, Redmond was her prep squad’s Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team All Metro selection her junior year, in addition to a teammate of Duffy’s on the Tulsa Blitz. “Caitlin is a solid, consistent back who likes to get forward from the wingback position,” Bilbao says. “She also has an ability to score goals, as she has proven at the high school level.”

Drury finished 8-9-2 last season and is 57-33-11 in Bilbao’s five seasons with the Panthers.

Jesse Miech Named Head Coach at Illinois-Springfield

Jesse Miech, Missouri State (2006)

Jesse Miech, Missouri State (2006)

From the State-Register Journal in Springfield, IL comes news that Jesse Miech has been named the men’s head soccer coach at the University of Illinois Springfield. UIS is a D2 program that competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference which will bring Jesse to Springfield, MO every other year. He is the second former regional Coach to be named a Head Coach in the GLVC this year (Kiley Cirillo was named Indianapolis Women’s Head Coach in January).

Miech was an assistant last season with the NCAA Division I Billikens, and he worked primarily with the goalkeepers.

He also served as a volunteer assistant coach at Virginia Tech in 2010, and from 2008-09 he was an assistant at Clemson. With the Tigers, Miech assisted in the day-to-day operations of the soccer program and was directly responsible for the implementation of a year-round goalkeeper-training program.

Miech also spent two seasons beginning in 2006 at Missouri State, where he coached the Bears’ goalkeepers and was the program’s head recruiter.

Drury Panthers Signing Class for 2011

Drury men’s soccer coach Ryan Swan has announced a nine-player recruiting class of incoming Panthers for the 2011 season.

The Panthers are coming off an 11-7-0 campaign in 2010 that included a 9-5 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference competition, but lost 12 graduating seniors off that squad.

The new Drury players for the upcoming fall season, with comments included from Swan, are:

Mike Lee, CBC (2011)

Mike Lee, CBC (2011)

*Mike Lee – 5’9 RB/LB from Christian Brothers College, who currently plays for Gallagher’s Academy team. “Mike is capable of playing on either side of the defense or as a holding midfielder. Another athletic, physical player that should comfortably make the transition in to college soccer.”

*Nick Ammann – 6’0 Fwd from Highland High School, IL, who led Highland High School to a regional championship with 31 goals and 9 assists in 2010 (scoring the winning goals in both the semifinal and final games). “He has the physical and technical tools to become a very good college soccer player.”

*Ryan Haas – 6’1 CB from Wentzville High School, who played CB for the Gallagher U17 team that played in the National Championship game last summer. “A strong, imposing defender, Ryan is comfortable playing anywhere across the back line.”

*Eric Heet – 5’10 CB from Chaminade High School who partnered Haas at the back for Gallagher last year and was promoted to the Gallagher Academy team for the 2010-11 season. “A physical, fast, tough nosed defender, Eric was named 1st team All-metro (St. Louis) and will compete for a starting spot at either CB or RB.”

*Derek Hoerman – 6’1 CM from Francis Howell Central who is also utilized as a Fwd for Lou Fusz Soccer Club. “Technically solid and dominant in the air, Derek should develop into a good college soccer player during his career at Drury.”

*Jack Mathis – 5’8 CM from De Smet High School. “Another Gallagher Academy player, Jack will immediately be one of the most technical players on our squad. A cultured left foot and a fantastic range of passing, Jack will challenge either in the center of the field or on the left side for us.”

*Logan Ponche – 6’3 GK from Francis Howell North High School. “A tall athletic GK, Logan also plays for Lou Fusz soccer club … he has all of the attributes of a good collegiate goalkeeper and could challenge for playing time during his freshman year.”

Stiffler, St Dominic (2011)

Stiffler, St Dominic (2011)

*Brett Stiffler – 5’8 RM from St. Dominic High School, yet another Gallagher product that played in the national championship game in 2010. “Brett is a quick, tricky player with a nice habit of scoring goals. Brett is capable of playing as an outside back, or as an attacking midfielder.”

*Scott Stiffler – 5’9 CM from St. Dominic High School (who is 15 minutes older than brother Brett) “Scott is a tough, technical midfielder. While he is most comfortable in the center of the field, he has the engine and speed to also challenge as a wide midfielder. He scored in the National Championship game for Gallagher and followed this up with an outstanding senior year at St. Dominic. He also joined Eric Heet as a 1st team all Metro selection.”

Lady Miners Sign Kacy Ludwig From McKinney North (TX)

Kacey Ludwig, McKinney North/Missouri S&T (2015)

Kacey Ludwig, McKinney North/Missouri S&T (2015)

From the Star Local News in Plano, TX comes news of a signing for Missouri S&T Miners soccer program

Ludwig, the Lady Bulldogs’ other captain, wasn’t sure at first whether she would play soccer in college at all. What sold her on joining the Missouri S&T roster were her future teammates, she said. The team lives together in one dorm, and Ludwig said it was a close-knit group that is basically together 24/7.

“They really made me feel like I was part of the team already,” Ludwig said.

And since many of the players are engineering majors, the school’s specialty, help with classwork is always nearby. Ludwig plans to study mechanical engineering.

“At the drop of a dime, they’ll come and help you out with your homework,” she said.

Kiley Cirillo Named Women’s Coach, Indianapolis Greyhounds

Coach Kiley Cirillo, Indianapolis Greyhounds

Coach Kiley Cirillo, Indianapolis Greyhounds

INDIANAPOLIS- Former Greyhound assistant coach Kiley Cirillo has been named the fifth head coach in UIndy women’s soccer history, effective Jan. 1, 2011. Cirillo, an assistant under former head coach Geoff VanDeusen for the past two seasons, will make his return to the head coaching sidelines in 2011.

“We are very fortunate to have Kiley accept the position of head women’s soccer coach,” UIndy Director of Athletics Sue Willey said. “He is familiar with our program and our student-athletes and this will make for a very smooth transition. Kiley’s previous success and experience make him a great fit for our UIndy athletics family.”

Prior to coming to UIndy, Cirillo served as the head men’s soccer coach at Missouri Southern State University for six years. He was the assistant men’s and women’s coach for the Lions for two years as well.

Cirillo, a Kickapoo graduate and former player at Missouri Southern prior to becoming Head Coach, joined the Greyhounds as an assistant Coach in the Fall of 2009 and has two years experience with the program. The Greyhounds are part of the GLVC and compete against Drury and Missouri S&T.

In addition, he has been working with the Indy Burn. Kiley’s wife Nicole is a Volleyball Coach for the IUPUI Jaguars in Indianapolis.

Sarah Colvin-Fritz Selected To All-Midwest Region Second Team

Sarah Colvin-Fritz, Drury Panthers (2011)

Sarah Colvin-Fritz, Drury Panthers (2011)

Drury senior soccer standout Sarah Colvin-Fritz has been named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team.

Colvin-Fritz helped the Panthers to an 8-9-2 record, starting all 19 games as a defender this season. Sarah earned First Team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and Second Team NSCAA All-Midwest Region recognition in 2009 as well, while starting 18 games for the Panthers. She scored a goal vs. Illinois-Springfield on September 11, 2009.

Sarah started 72 games for the Panthers in her career, including 22 during her freshman year when she was part of the squad that reached the NCAA Final 16. She was a two-time first team all-conference pick and was an honorable mention All-Metro four years in St Louis at Lindbergh High School. She played for the Metro Strikers club team.

Now I’m off to enjoy a latte at Big Momma’s Coffee where Sarah will ensure it’s the best latte I get this week.

Missouri S&T Players McNamee and Brinkmeyer Named All-Americans

ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T’s men’s soccer team has landed the first All-America selections in the history of the program as two members of the 2010 Miner team that reached the regional finals are members of this year’s Daktronics NCAA Division II All-America squad.

Spencer Brinkmeyer, Missouri S&T Miners (2013) celebrates his 2nd goal

Spencer Brinkmeyer, Missouri S&T Miners (2013) celebrates his 2nd goal

Sophomore defender Spencer Brinkmeyer was selected to the third team on the All-America squad, while junior goalkeeper Pat McNamee was named honorable mention. Both players were integral members of a defensive unit that was one of the nation’s best during the recent year.

Brinkmeyer served as a center back for a defensive group that led the Miners to a number of high national rankings in their categories in 2010. As a team, Missouri S&T is currently ranked third in shutout percentage, fourth in save percentage (86.7 percent) and 11th in goals against average as a team at 0.69 at the Division II level.

In addition, Brinkmeyer also scored four times during the season and added two assists; three of his four goals were game-winners.

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners (2012)

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners (2012)

McNamee, who was named as the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s “Defensive Player of the Year” for 2010, finished the season 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 is currently ranked eighth in goals against average and 12th in save percentage on the national level.

Missouri S&T won a share of the GLVC regular season title this season and earned its first berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament, where it fell in the Midwest Regional championship game to a Northern Kentucky team that reached the final four. It ended the year with a record of 11-6-3 and was ranked No. 21 in the NSCAA national rankings heading into the NCAA Tournament; the final poll will be released Dec. 14.

GLVC Soccer: Missouri S&T Advances To Semifinal Against NKU

Spencer Brinkmeyer, Missouri S&T Miners (2013) celebrates his 2nd goal

Spencer Brinkmeyer, Missouri S&T Miners (2013) celebrates his 2nd goal

ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T crashed through a couple of barriers this season on its way to winning a share of the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season title – then cleared another hurdle Sunday that could also lead it to the NCAA Tournament.

The Miners got two first half goals from Spencer Brinkmeyer and recorded their school record 11th shutout of the season as they knocked off Bellarmine 3-0 at the S&T Soccer field in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament. The victory sends the Miners to the semifinals for the first time, where they will play Friday at Northern Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time).

NKU, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, beat Rockhurst 2-1 Sunday and will host the final two rounds of the tournament as top-seeded Lewis lost 3-0 Sunday to Indianapolis. Indianapolis will face Quincy, a 3-2 overtime winner over Drury, in the other semifinal Friday.

In addition, the Miners’ victory puts S&T – currently ranked third in the NCAA Midwest regional rankings – in a good position to reach the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in school history. The top four teams in the region will advance to the national tournament and two of the three teams immediately behind the Miners lost Sunday in the opening round of the conference tournament.

Brinkmeyer put the Miners on the board at the 7:16 mark, heading a free kick from Ryan Muich back across the goalmouth and past Knight goalkeeper Matthew Soyka. The sophomore defender, who earlier in the week was named to the All-GLVC first team at his position, struck again with 5:45 left in the half when he scored again by heading a ball in. On the second occasion, it was on a corner kick from Kyle Schraier, where Brinkmeyer was able to get in front of the net to score.

The Miners added a third goal in the second half, as Jervis Atagana took a feed from Mario Calderon and put a shot past Soyka to close the scoring. S&T’s defense allowed only five of the 19 Knight shots to get to Pat McNamee, who turned all five away to record his ninth shutout of the season. McNamee made the save of the game in the 67th minute – moments before Atagana’s goal – when he stopped a one-timer by GLVC goal scoring leader Brad Barraclough from point blank range to preserve the shutout.

Missouri S&T, ranked 25th nationally in the NSCAA Division II rankings, improved to 10-4-3 on the year with the victory while Bellarmine closed the season with a mark of 10-5-2.

Drury Panthers Land 4, Missouri S&T Miners 1 On GLVC Player List

Sarah Colvin-Fritz, Drury Panthers (2011)

Sarah Colvin-Fritz, Drury Panthers (2011)

INDIANAPOLIS – University of Wisconsin-Parkside junior forward Shannon Becker (DePere, Wis.) has been selected the 2010 Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year and Bellarmine University junior forward Abby Schuhmann (Louisville, Ky.) is the 2010 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year.

The two GLVC standouts headline the 2010 All-GLVC First Team as determined by the league’s head coaches.

Becker, a two-time All-GLVC First Team selection and the 2008 GLVC Freshman of the Year, helped pace the Rangers to second place in the GLVC with a 12-1-1 conference record. She posted 30 points on 12 goals and six assists against conference opponents which included four game-winning goals. Overall, Becker has notched 38 points on 15 goals and eight assists. She has fired a league-best 90 shots and paced the Rangers’ league-leading offense.

Schuhmann, who claimed the 2009 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year Award, helped guide the Knights to a 10-4-2 overall record during the regular season. She anchors a Bellarmine defense that has limited opponents to 12 goals this season, including just eight goals in conference play. The Knights own a 0.55 goals against average and Schuhmann has also chipped in offensively delivering a goal and assist against league opponents.

Quincy goalkeeper Jodi Chapie (St. Louis, Mo.) is the 2010 GLVC Freshman of the Year. Chapie helped the Lady Hawks post a 12-3-3 overall record and a 9-2-3 conference mark. She maintained a 0.34 goals against average in conference games by limiting opponents to four goals in 13 matches. Chapie was also named to the All-GLVC Second Team for her efforts.

Southern Indiana’s Krissy Engelbrecht has been selected the 2010 GLVC Coach of the Year. Engelbrecht guided the Eagles to a 12-5-1 overall record and a 10-3-1 league mark. The Eagles tied for third place in the GLVC and secured a home match for the GLVC Quarterfinals as the No. 4 seed. The award marks the first GLVC Coach of the Year honor for Engelbrecht who is 58-76-9 in eight seasons at USI.

In addition to the first-team selections, the GLVC has also announced a 12-member All-GLVC Second Team and 12-member All-GLVC Third Team.

Offensive Player of the Year: Shannon Becker, UW-Parkside
Defensive Player of the Year: Abby Schuhmann, Bellarmine
Freshman of the Year: Jodi Chapie, Quincy
Coach of the Year: Krissy Engelbrecht, Southern Indiana

All-GLVC First Team
Forwards
Shannon Becker, UW-Parkside
Kaylee Neutzling, Missouri-St. Louis
Nancy Newcomer, Southern Indiana
Midfielders
Susan Ellsperman, Southern Indiana
Becky Fleming, Quincy
Amanda Mason, Northern Kentucky
Backs
Lauki’i Cheng, UW-Parkside
Lauren Painter, Northern Kentucky
Meghan Roberts, Quincy
Abby Schuhmann, Bellarmine
Goalkeeper
Rachael Wood, Northern Kentucky

All-GLVC Second Team
Forwards
Brittany Casey, Quincy
Meagan Kempf, Southern Indiana
Casey Thorpe, Illinois-Springfield
Nicole Williams, Drury
Midfielders
Kristi Hofmeyer, Northern Kentucky
Erin Egolf, Illinois-Springfield
Kristen Benson, UW-Parkside
Backs
Sam Andert, Quincy
Sarah Colvin-Frtiz, Drury
Jessica Gates, Southern Indiana
Stephanie Wengert, Northern Kentucky
Goalkeeper
Jodi Chapie, Quincy

All-GLVC Third Team
Forwards
Francesca Abate, Lewis
Crystal Chalery, UW-Parkside
Alissa Reuther, Bellarmine
Abby Davidson, Rockhurst
Midfielders
Haley Long, Rockhurst
Kelsy Long, Drury
Megan Owens, UW-Parkside
Backs
Kaitlyn Costello, Quincy
Brynn Darga, UW-Parkside
Joanna Kovarik, Missouri S&T
Anna Alfonsin, Rockhurst
Goalkeeper
Jessica Sanderson, Drury

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners, Named GLVC Defensive Player of the Year

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners (2012)

Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T Miners (2012)

INDIANAPOLIS – Northern Kentucky University senior forward Steven Beattie (Skerries, Ireland) has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year and Missouri S&T junior goalkeeper Pat McNamee (Fenton, Mo.) is the 2010 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year. The duo headlines the 11-member All-GLVC First Team as selected by the league’s 15 head coaches.

Joining Beattie and McNamee on the All-GLVC First Team are Bellarmine’s Brad Barraclough and Ross Hopkins, Drury’s Peter Higgins, Ben Taylor and Micah Whorton, Lewis’ Zachary Bond and Jose Ibarra, Missouri S&T’s Spencer Brinkmeyer and Quincy’s Jack Wedemeier.

McNamee, the 2008 Freshman of the Year and an All-GLVC Third Team selection a year ago, has earned the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year honor after helping the Miners claim a share of the GLVC regular season championship. The 25th-ranked Miners are 9-4-3 overall and posted a 9-2-3 record against GLVC competition.
In 12 GLVC starts, McNamee posted a 7-2-3 record and allowed just five goals. He led the league in goals against average (0.40), save percentage (.891) and shutouts (8). McNamee anchored a Miners’ defense that led the GLVC in goals allowed (6), goals against average (0.40) and shutouts (10).

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

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

Missouri S&T head coach Joe Ahearn has been awarded as the 2010 GLVC Coach of the Year. He was selected by his peers after guiding the Miners to a share of the GLVC regular season championship and to the No. 3 seed for the upcoming GLVC Tournament.

The Miners are 9-4-3 overall and ran the difficult conference slate with a 9-2-3 mark. The GLVC Coach of the Year honor is the first for Ahearn who is in his fourth season with the Miners. He is 29-29-9 overall.

In addition to the first-team selections, the GLVC has also announced an 11-member All-GLVC Second Team and 11-member All-GLVC Third Team.

Offensive Player of the Year: Steven Beattie, Northern Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Year: Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T
Freshman of the Year: Michael Holder, Northern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Joe Ahearn, Missouri S&T

All-GLVC First Team
Forwards
Brad Barraclough, Bellarmine
Steven Beattie, Northern Kentucky
Jack Wedemeier, Quincy
Micah Whorton, Drury
Midfielders
Peter Higgins, Drury
Ross Hopkins, Bellarmine
Jose Ibarra, Lewis
Backs
Zachary Bond, Lewis
Spencer Brinkmeyer, Missouri S&T
Ben Taylor, Drury
Goalkeeper
Pat McNamee, Missouri S&T

All-GLVC Second Team
Forwards
Grant Ellison, Quincy
Almin Sabotic, Missouri-St. Louis
Armin Vrebac, Lewis
Midfielders
Mardoche Beya, Lewis
David Kekec, Missouri S&T
Sam Shaffer, Missouri S&T
Backs
Paul Andrews, Northern Kentucky
Kenny Gravlin, Missouri S&T
Patrick White, Rockhurst
Blake Wilson, Drury
Goalkeeper
D.J. Lampert, Quincy

All-GLVC Third Team
Forwards
Aloiso Barros, Lewis
Michael Holder, Northern Kentucky
Nick McDonald, Rockhurst
Midfielders
Mike Bartlett, Northern Kentucky
Nick Chiarot, Northern Kentucky
Max Marsh, Indianapolis
Backs
Abe Dirnberger, Quincy
Brett Gregory, Bellarmine
Nathan Groesch, Lewis
Grant Wheeler, Bellarmine
Goalkeeper
Stephen Conner, Drury