Waynesville visits Catholic on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 pm. The Varsity play first and we’ll have a chance to see the two teams that have beaten Kickapoo and Glendale this season. It will also be one of your last chances to see Katie Pritchard with a ball at her feet, since next October she’ll be playing roundball for the Panthers. She’s a goal away from claiming second in career scoring in Missouri, and number one in large school scoring. And both teams are gearing up for the State Playoffs and this is a great way to send a message.

There’s one other game of note this week that needs no introduction. The Glendale Falcons visit Kickapoo on Wednesday for their Ozark Conference match up. The Chief’s lost 0-4 in early April as sophomore Lindsey Sprouse had a hat-trick in the Falcon’s shutout. Kickapoo will be without Jessica McCutcheon in goal due to injury (their 5th starter to go down) but the rivalry is strong. There will be a crowd out to cheer on both teams.

Congratulations go out to the Springfield SC who had two teams advance to the semifinals this weekend at the Missouri State Cup. The U13 boys won their first two games ever in achieving that goal, before losing to a Scott Gallagher team yesterday morning. UPDATE - Got to call you on this sentence!! The U13 division is the youngest age group at state cup. The U13 team won their first two games at Cup and got to the semifinal…the first time ever a U13 team from SGF has done that (including current U17s). BTW the U17 game was won by one of the best shots you’ll ever see anywhere, an absolute corker straight into the top corner through a penalty box of defenders, by Tim Griffin from about 25 yards out. The U17 boys, defending State Champions, defeated Scott Gallagher in OT to advance to the Final again this year. It will be played this Saturday at 3:00 pm at the SLYSA Fields in St Charles, MO. I’ll be there to cover the story and celebrate Mother’s Day with my Mom. It’s also my Dad’s birthday on Saturday so lot’s of good reasons to be in St Louis rather than Springfield.

I mention that in advance of reminding you that Saturday is also the home opener for the Springfield Demize. I normally make the Professional Development League (PDL) games a priority but I’ve got a a conflict this weekend I think they are a great opportunity to see some quality soccer with future professional players you’ll be able to say “I remember when…”

We’re in the final stages of the Southwest All-Star game as well. As noted earlier, I’m out seeing as many games as possible as part of the evaluation process. We anticipate making the announcement of the Girls Roster by Wednesday May 14th.

If your Booster Club or business would like to recognize the players that will be represented and support our efforts to bring you this game, please contact me so I can provide information on placing an ad in the Program. Thanks Folks, see you at the pitch!

In addition, the Tigers completed a 9-0 run through the Ozark Conference this evening with their win over the Vikings. Glendale is their closest competitor, and shared the crown with them last year, but it is the Tigers alone at the top this season. Congratulations to Coach Josh Scott and his squad!

Springfield Catholic - 6
Bolivar Liberators - 0
The Liberators visited this evening and fought hard (that’s senior Lindsy Archer pictured) but were unable to break through the Irish defense. Tara Bailes, playing her first full match without her knee brace, led Catholic with three goals and an assist. Anna DeLong scored twice and Shelby Hatz once, while Natalie Smid had two assists and Emily Kessler had one.

The Liberators had a few good opportunities in the first half (while I was there), the best when freshman midfielder Izzy Mersch sent Archer into the box with a nice diagonal ball. Archer was able to find space in the box and get her shot off but freshman Rachel Scott reacted well to the ball and pulled it in. The rematch will likely be Wednesday May 14th in the District Final. Photo slideshow from the 1st Half.

Glendale Falcons - 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets - 1
The wind was blowing hard tonight but the Falcon’s didn’t let it disturb them as they rebounded from an early goal by the Yellowjackets, scoring two against the wind in the first half to eke out the victory over last years vanquishers. Lebanon got on the scoreboard in the 3rd minute when Hanna Winkel won a 50/50 ball in the offensive end and broke past the defense. She shot quickly and caught the keeper off the line and the ball just went in under the crossbar. The Falcon’s evened it in the 14th minute when the defense was caught napping on a corner kick by Jamie Bond. Lindsay Sprouse was unmarked in the box and one-timed her shot into the left side of the net.

In the 23rd minute, it was Karis Hefton who got the game-winner (pictured). She was sent into the box on a fine through ball by senior Megan Garrad, and despited being challenged as she entered the box, Hefton hammered a shot from the penalty spot that blew by the keeper into the roof of the net.

The second half was scoreless, as both goal keepers stepped up tonight. Abbey Roam for the Yellowjackets had to face a half dozen corners kicks as the Falcons used the wind and their speed to get into the corners but she didn’t back down, including one remarkable sequence that finished with her diving at Lou Opfer’s feet to finish it. Rachel Duckworth, for the Falcons, continues her on-the-job training with a flourish. In the 65th, Lebanon counter-attacked from a Glendale corner kick and sent Chelsey LeFors in on goal. Duckworth’s instincts were excellent, coming out quickly and diving for the ball. The rebound was sent back in quickly but somehow Rachel was able to get back up and make the final save, diving once again as the attacker tumbled over her in the box.

Both teams went about their jobs in workmanlike fashion tonight, saving the real intensity for the District playoffs I have to assume. Lebanon needs to show patience in the offensive end while trying to avoid giving up the corner kicks and fouls outside the box. The Falcons are going to have to improve their efficiency on set pieces if they want to avoid these close games. All of it bodes well for the spectators as the District 11 playoffs offer some excellent soccer. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t send a shout out to Lebanon’s Emily Boyer, their sophomore midfielder is out with mono. I missed her energy. Janell Glidden was a talented, physical presence in the middle and up top for the Yellowjackets and a new face for me. Welcome back to the game! Photo slideshow from the game.

Camdenton Lakers - 3 (PKs)
Joplin Eagles - 2
The Lady Lakers defeated Joplin in a penalty kick shootout. Camdenton led 1-0 early in the match when sophomore midfielder Jessica Smith received a pass across the mouth of the goal from senior Meg Manzer. The score stayed 1-0 until the second minute of the second half when Joplin scored on a free kick that got past senior goalie Krista Murphy. The 1-1 score held until 10 minutes left in the match when Manzer was fouled inside the penalty area and senior midfielder Blaire Baker scored on a penalty kick. With less than two minutes left in the match, a Camdenton foul inside the penalty area resulted in Joplin tying the match up 2-2, again via the penalty spot.

After two ten-minute over time periods, the match went to a pk shootout. It was Camdenton’s third of the season and Joplin’s first. The Lady Lakers won the shootout as all five of Camdenton’s shooters made their penalty kick. Camdenton’s Krista Murphy was able to stop Joplin’s third shooter on a diving save that was pushed off the right post and rolled back towards the shooter. Joplin’s fourth shooter scored on a penalty kick which left it up to Camdenton freshman Ashley Paschel to calmly step up and hit her first ever high school penalty kick which ensured a Camdenton victory 5-3.

Willard Tigers - 2
Central Bulldogs - 1

Kickapoo Chiefs - 9
Hillcrest Hornets - 1

Ozark Tigers - 6
Neosho Wildcats - 0
Three seniors scored goals for the Lady Tigers on Senior Night en route to the shutout over district opponent Neosho. Kristen Glaubitz got two, Erica Hogan got one as did Jessica Bush. Sophomore Megan Gunnels and sophomore Alicia Collard rounded out the scoring for Ozark.

Nixa Eagles - 4
Marshfield Jays - 1
In the first ten minutes of the game, the Lady Eagles had scored two goals; one by senior forward Stephanie Allen and one by freshman out-side midfielder Kelsey Bartell. Both goals exemplified Nixa’s renewed confidence and hunger for goals. The Lady Jays’ Ashley Honeycutt slipped behind the Nixa defense and slotted the ball into the net soon after. Allen got two more in the second half for her hat trick.

Rolla Bulldogs - 1 (PKs)
Camdenton Lakers - 0
In another sign of the growing parity in Ozark Conference soccer, the Lakers extended the Bulldogs to PK’s this evening. The score was knotted at 0-0 through regulation and a pair of 10 minute OT periods, leading to PK’s. The Bulldogs finally sealed the W on the sixth attempt. The Laker fans will be talking for awhile about how close they came to beating the Bulldogs for the first time ever. The Lake Sun Leader foreshadowed the results Tuesday.

Joplin Eagles - 6
Hillcrest Hornets - 0
Kelsey Sanders scored three of the goals for Joplin, which led 3-0 at the end of the first half. Others scoring for the Eagles were Kelly Yount, Chelsea Damer and Lauren Schwab.

Sorry I was a bit late tonight. I was doing some tutoring on complex polynomials and determining their end points. Algebra 2 with my niece who attends Glendale. If you’re a player and your eyes didn’t glaze over, I’d love to chat with you about Missouri Science & Technology. I’m an alumni of the former UMR and if you have any interest at all, let me tell you about my experiences there.

The Tigers improved to 9-0 and 5-0 in Ozark Conference with the win over their local foe. They will play at Lebanon on Thursday. The Yellowjackets improved to 4-0 in the Conference with their win over Hillcrest tonight.

Lebanon Yellowjackets - 7
Hillcrest Hornets - 0
The Yellowjackets got goals from six players. Michelle Lindesmith, Hanna Winkel (2), Brianna Ragains, Cassie Wood, Janel Glidden and Britney Hall, a senior defender – first career goal.

Glendale Falcons - 4
Parkview Vikings - 3
The Falcons got past local rival Parkview tonight, as senior Jamie Bond scored a brace, Emily Cline continues her streak and Megan Garrad got the final goal. Jeni Frewin had a pair of assists. For the Vikings, goals were scored by Shelbie Stewart, Emmy Dale and Jessica Maerz.

Camdenton Lakers - 3
West Plains Zizzers - 0
Megan Manzer opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Stephanie Kirvan, assisted by Latea LaRue, added another in the 16th minute. Sandra Shore, assisted by Stephanie Kirvan, completed the scoring in the 65th minute

Joplin Eagles - 1
Kickapoo Chiefs - 0
The Joplin Eagles got a goal from MSSU signee jr. Kelsey Sanders in the 42nd minute and held on for a 1-0 soccer victory over the Chiefs. Joplin goalie Randi Russell, an MSSU signee, had 11 saves in picking up the shutout. Kickapoo outshot the Eagles 13-7.

OK, back to this weekends non-Tournament games

Waynesville Tigers - 4
Hazelwood Central - 2
Playing against Head Coach Josh Scott’s alma mater, the Tigers defended their home field Friday evening, defeating the BiState Shootout champions (and District 3 defending champions). The Tigers fell behind 1-0 in the second minute but tied on a goal by Tasha Lord before halftime. Katie Pritchard scored twice and Orielle Thomas once in the second half. Crystal Hutchinson recorded 13 saves in the net.

West Plains Zizzers - 8
Mountain View Liberty Eagles - 1
Playing only their second varsity game, against their only opponent so far, the Eagles got a goal from Shelly Renegar late in the second half. The Zizzers had goals from Rachel Skelly, Katie Shannon, Michelle Esterle, Ashley Harris, Beth Kittle, Laiken Tyler, Jamie Brassfield and Kelly Smith.

Saturday Games

Waynesville Tigers - 5
Hillcrest Hornets - 1
In a game that was tied 1-1 at half, the Tigers woke up in the second to keep their record unblemished in the Ozark Conference. Katie Pritchard scored three, including a final PK, while Lynette Newcomb and Tasha Lord scored for Waynesville. Sara Rodriguez scored for Hillcrest.

Rolla Bulldogs - 2
Hazelwood Central - 1
After a scoreless first half, Hazelwood Central took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the second half when Danielle Bergfeld scored for the visiting Hawks. Sophomore Jaclyn Standfast tied the game with sixteen minutes remaining off a pass from Junior Ashley Kerr. Junior Kim Carter scored the game winner with less than three minutes left after Sophomore Olivia Cox won a 50/50 ball with the keeper outside the edge of the penalty box.

RHS improves to 7-2 and next plays Waynesville at home Tuesday.

The Tigers struck first this evening, in the 1st minute, as Pritchard won a 1v1 battle with the GK on an early breakaway, the only time in several opportunities that later arose. The Falcons battled back, equalizing in the 12th minute on Maggie Schrier’s long range shot, picked up from a clearance after Emily Cline’s shot rang off the cross bar. The Tiger’s took the lead again in the 32nd minute on Pritchard’s direct kick, taken from the left side about 20 yards out. The shot hit the far upright and caromed into the net. The Falcon’s knotted the score in stoppage time, once again earning several opportunities, before Emily Cline was able to finish a ball that came to her from Jamie Bond’s cross.

The Tigers move to 5-0, including 2-0 in the Ozark Conference with their wins over traditional powers Kickapoo and Glendale. The Falcon’s fall to 1-2, 1-1 in the Conference.

Camdenton Lakers - 2
Nixa Eagles - 1

Ozark Tigers - 3
Willard Tigers - 0
Megan Gunnels drew first blood in the 8th minute, attacking up the middle and taking a touch to the left of Willard’s charging keeper, then tapping the ball with her left into an open net. Erica Hogan scored in the 30th minute, hitting a big shot from deep outside the right side of the 18 yard box. Sophomore Megan Stodden added the third goal in the 69th minute. Ozark has now won four straight since it’s opening loss to Waynesville .

Parkview Vikings - 3
Neosho Wildcats - 1
Parkview got goals by Shelby Stewart, Jessica Maerz (assisted by Stewart), and Kelsey Loderhose.

West Plains Zizzers - 1
Greenwood Blue Jays - 0
Sophomore Rachel Skelly scores in the 33rd minute on a ball from Megan Walker. Skelly’s run allowed her to get to the ball at the corner of the 18 yard box just a split second before the Greenwood goalkeeper, slotting it past her for the game-winner. Happy birthday Rachel.

Friend Me

The Irish’s best opportunity came late in the game when freshman Carsen Baron put her 30 yard direct kick on frame. Sophomore Paige Hemphill touched it over the crossbar to preserve the shutout and win.

Waynesville Tigers - 2
Kickapoo Chiefs - 1
The Tigers continued their early season form, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Katie Pritchard, from Lauren Kelly, and Erica Combs, from Tasha Lord. Kickapoo closed the gap in the 73rd minute when Kylie Huslig scored from a cross by right midfielder ?. Senior Crystal Hutchinson made several important saves to ensure the win for the Tigers who move to 4-0 with their first Conference win over a key foe. Update - it was the first win ever over the Chiefs!

Lebanon Yellowjackets - 3
West Plains Zizzers - 0
Senior Brianna Ragains, headed for Missouri Southern in the Fall, gave the Yellowjackets the lead in the 17th minute, assisted by Cassie Wood. Hanna Winkel added to the lead in the 49th, assisted by Emily Boyer. Chelsea LeFors completed the scoring, assisted by Ragains. Zizzer’s goalie Jamie Brassfield made several fine saves to keep it close

Rolla Bulldogs - 1
Parkview Vikings - 0
Sophomore central midfielder Jackie Standfast got the game winner in the 62nd minute on an assist by senior captain Kaitlin Bramel. Sophomore Adrian Pogue gets the shutout, her 3rd in 4 games. The Bulldogs move to 4-0, 1-0 in Ozark Conference, and will visit Springfield to take on Kickapoo Thursday.

Glendale Falcons - 4
Joplin Eagles - 0
The Eagles kept things close in the first half, down only 0-1 with senior Randi Russell, a Missouri Southern signee, making several important saves. Senior Jeni Frewin got the ultimate game winner. The second half saw the Falcons turn things on, using the wind and their team speed to get three goals in the first 15 minutes. Lindsey Sprouse got two, Emily Cline (pictured at left) scored her first varsity goal and Frewin and Emily Jordan earned assists. Senior goalkeeper Rachel Duckworth, a newcomer to soccer with good hands and reflexes, earns her first shutout.

Greenwood Blue Jays - 10
Pleasant Hope Pirates - 0

Neosho Wildcats - 2 (PK’s)
Nixa Eagles - 1
The Eagles lost on PK’s Tuesday to a resilient Wildcats squad that drew first blood on a break away goal by Melanie White in the 53rd minute. The Eagles tied the game in the 58th. Jacklyn Finley played the ball to Kelsey Haist above the 18 box. Haist beat the defender. A well placed, low ball slotted to the left of the goalie tied the score 1-1.

Camdenton Lakers - 5
Hillcrest Hornets - 0
Camdenton led 1-0 at the half on a goal by freshman Ashley Paschel. Sophomore Chelsey VanHook started off the scoring in the second half off of a corner kick from Blaire Baker. Paschel scored her second goal of the match four minutes later. Senior Meg Manzer and junior Stephanie Kirvan (header) each scored a goal late in the match. Camdenton goes to 1-1-0 on the season and 1-0 in Ozark Conference play. Senior Krista Murphy earned her first shutout of the season

Bolivar Liberators - 2
Joplin McAuley - 0
The Lady Liberators earned their third shut-out victory of the season with a 2-0 win over district opponent Joplin McAuley. Seniors Lindsy Archer, assisted by Jonna Welch, and Andrea Porter scored a goal in each half to help the Liberators improve to 3-0 on the season.

(Waynesville AD John) Morrison confirmed this week that Mike Armstrong, a current assistant for the WHS girls’ soccer team, and Mike Gow, currently the boys’ and girls’ soccer head coach at Ozark Conference rival Lebanon, have been hired to run the WHS soccer programs. Each will be a head coach, with the other serving as his assistant.

Armstrong was hired as the Waynesville boys’ soccer head coach as well as the Lady Tigers’ assistant coach. Gow was hired to be the WHS girls’ soccer head coach and will be the boys’ assistant.

Mike is pictured at a Hillcrest Girls game last Spring. His record in seven years at the school is 81-89-7 for the boys, including three winning seasons and Boys Coach of the Year for District 11 in 2002. His six seasons at the helm of the Girls program includes a 64-65-5 record including three straight winning seasons the past three years. He was Girls Coach of the Year for District 11 last Spring. He also coached the Red All-Stars squad at the initial Girls game in 2006.

Mike will finish the season with Lebanon where I fully expect another winning season. And no, this is not an April Fool’s joke folks!

The Yellowjackets prevailed in PK’s, winning on the 8th kick, to earn the 1-0 win. Stephanie Fore got the winner, putting her shot past the keeper.

The 5th-ranked Yellowjackets take an early lead in the Ozark Conference race

Here’s the summary of the 8 shooters:
Lebanon miss
Kickapoo made
Lebanon made
Kickapoo made
Lebanon miss
Kickapoo made
Lebanon made
Kickapoo blocked (Roam)
Lebanon made
Kickapoo miss
——————
3-3

Sudden victory
Kickapoo miss
Lebanon blocked
Kickapoo blocked (McCutcheon)
Lebanon miss
Kickapoo miss
Lebanon Stephanie Fore

Speaking of which, the NSCAA Convention comes to St Louis next year, January 14-19, 2009. Add it to your calendar!

With their 3-0 win over Southside rival Glendale, the Kickapoo Chiefs completed their undefeated run through the Ozark Conference this season and positioned themselves as the team to beat in District and Sectional play.

It was an enjoyable game, featuring a pair of skilled teams that know each other well. It also pointed to the value of momentum, in particular the first goal. The Falcon’s had the early pressure in the game, working aggressively to send Devon Newport into the box. The Chief’s did what they needed to do to keep Glendale from scoring, including Colton Sexton’s clearance off the line of a ball that slipped through the keepers hands in the 5th minute and Skyler Russell’s clearance at the left upright of Ryan Squires header in the 11th minute . In between these two opportunities, a nifty sequence of three touches outside the box sent Newport into the box where his hard cross got past a diving keeper only to see the first games hero, Tucker Downs, just miss his opportunity on a possible tap-in.

In the 15th minute, the Chiefs saw their first clear opportunity go off the upright as Heath Melugin broke towards the box. A minute later he had another chance, following a foul, and this one set the tone for the remainder of the game. Melugin’s direct kick from the left side found the far corner and there was no looking back for Kickapoo. That goal settled them down and allowed them to play their game. They took advantage of the situation when in stoppage time in the first half, Clint Evenson tapped-in the Chiefs second goal, getting to the loose ball that resulted from McCarthy’s initial save of a Ryan Moses shot.

The Falcon’s came out hard in the second half and came close to scoring in the 42nd minute when Ryan Squires set piece from just inside the midfield line went off the cross bar. Keeper Adam Legg did an excellent job of reacting to the ball and pushed the ball wide as a pair of Glendale players attempted to head it in. As the Falcon’s continued their high intensity attack, the Chief’s Melugin anticipated a square pass that he picked up deep in the defensive end. His quick through ball sent Brock Ruggeri in on goal, putting his shot past the keeper from 16 yards out after lone defender Squires slipped and fell while trying to turn with the ball.

The Falcon’s had several more opportunities, including a hard shot by Newport in the 70th that Legg dove to his right to push wide and another shot off of the crossbar in the 77th minute. It was not to be however as the Brown & Gold nation evened their record with the Falcon’s this season and sent a message to the region.

KOLR10 video Kickapoo Scores Soccer Win Over Glendale

Kickapoo got what turned out to be the game-winner in the 14th minute from jr Brock Ruggeri who ran onto a ball following a defensive mistake and slotted it to the near post past a diving keeper. Ryan Moses got the second in the 27th on a beautiful play that started with fine defensive work by Rolla in the corner. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, as the defender weaved his way out of the corner, sophomore Skyler Russell (pictured) picked up the ball. He calmly looked up, picked out Ruggeri at the top of the box and slotted a square ball to him. Ruggeri anticipated the ball and one-timed it into the box where Moses was able to run onto it and hammer it past the keeper.

In many ways it defined the game. Rolla came into the game on an 11-1 run, 8-0 in the Ozark Conference. The Chief’s have been developing in their own way, and had a 10-1 run of their own that they were protecting.

The cliche is that games are won in the midfield and I believe that was the case tonight. The final goal was a fine example. It was begun by Preston Bates who took the ball from a Rolla player at midfield. His pursuit and tackle was followed by a quick ball to his midfield running mate, Heath Melugin. Melugin drew the defense and then slotted a ball into the path of Moses’ run down the left side. Moses’ slotted home his second goal of the evening, in the 74th minute, with his hard shot to the far side netting. The Chief’s finished the evening with Zack Hay’s goal in stoppage time, when the Bulldogs game the Chief’s three opportunities to score on a late corner kick.

The Rolla Bulldogs finish 8-1 in the Ozark Conference while Kickapoo is 8-0. Even if the Chief lose their game against Glendale on Tuesday, they will earn the Conference crown based upon this win against the Bulldogs. Thus Tuesday’s game will be for City bragging rights, and an opportunity to see what might be a preview of the Southwest Sectional game, as was this game.

By the way, this is the 2000th post for this site. 29 months of coverage, or an average of over two stories a day in coverage, with more then 10,000 photos available on the photo site. I did need a vacation