Category Archives: Represent

Region 2 Tournament – Springfield Wins Again!

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FCgreenbay by Green Bay Press Gazette

FC Green Bay by Green Bay Press Gazette

Here are updates from today’s group stages. Teams are playing their second of three games and I offer thoughts on their opportunity to advance.

U18 Girls St. Louis Scott Gallagher – 1
Cleveland FC (OH North) – 0
A late first half goal by Jessica Kelley gave Emily Cline, Shelby Hatz and their teammates their first win of the group stage. The team is now 1-1 and tied for first in the group with 4 points but at a disadvantage in goal differential. They face the winless Eastern Iowa United squad tomorrow where a win guarantees they advance.

U17 Girls St. Louis Scott Gallagher – 0
MN Thunder Academy 94 Blue (MN) – 2
A pair of goals in each half for the Minnesota squad means Molly Brewer and her teammates are now 1-1 in the group. They are 3rd of 4 teams based upon points and goal differential. They will play Cincinnati Soccer Alliance tomorrow who are also 1-1 but ahead on goals. A win combined with a loss by MN against the currently winless Lexington FC squad will be needed to advance out of the group.

U19 Boys St Louis Scott Gallagher – 2
FC Green Bay (WI) – 0
The Green Bay squad loses by 2 for the second day in a row and Gallagher (including Drury players Mike Yuede and Matt Hutchinson) now face Javanon for the Group title tomorrow at noon. Both teams are 2-0 and have identical goal differential (+3) although Gallagher have not given up a goal. With three groups, there is a wildcard opportunity but two groups, including Gallaghers, have two teams with 6 points already so a win is best. Javanon is ranked 7th in the Region, well ahead of Gallagher and were Regional Finalists last year.

U16 Boys Springfield SC – 2
Galaxy (IL) – 0
A pair of goals early in the second half propelled the boys to their second straight win, this one over another higher-ranked team in their group and a squad they had lost to in late April 1-2. A penalty kick by Josh McCutcheon (Kickapoo), which included the ejection of the Galaxy goalkeeper with a red card, was the game-winner in the 54th minute. Minutes later McCutcheon assisted on the second goal, scored by Ismael Serratos (Carthage), and the final margin.

Their opponent tomorrow, Everest SC Black (OH), is ranked 5th in the Region and bounced back from their loss yesterday to the Galaxy with a 2-1 win over Waukesha. The Wisconsin squad opened the scoring in the 57th min but Everest came down the field and tied the game in the 58th and got the game-winner in the 83rd.

Springfield needs a tie to advance, providing them with 7 points from a 2-0-1 finish while Everest would finish with 4 points. A win would be better!

Springfield SC Win Opening Match

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Springfield SC 94/95 at Region 2 Championships

Springfield SC 94/95 at Region 2 Championships by JT Adams

Springfield SC - 2
Waukesha Pumas (WI) – 0
A pair of goals in the first half held up for the win in their first Regional game. Goals were scored by Jakob Neidig (Ozark) from Dallas Moses (Catholic) free kick and by Evan Craig (Catholic) from Mitch Moncada’s (Catholic) assist.

The boys will play against Galaxy (IL) on Sunday. Galaxy is the 12th ranked team in Region 2 and they defeated the #5 ranked Everest Black (OH) squad 1-0 this morning. SSC faced the Galaxy May 7th in Muscatine IA. The Galaxy won that game 2-1 enroute to a 1st finish in the Midwest Regional League Premier Blue Division with a 6-1-0 record. Springfield SC finished 3-3-1, finishing 4th. Galaxy’s one loss was to Vardar (MI) in their opening match April 8th. SSC defeated Vardar 2-0 two weeks later at a game in Rockford.

Looking at scenarios (is it ever too early?) would indicate that a tie Sunday and a win over Galaxy could put the boys through to the semifinals. Goal differential would be the key then, a dangerous place but a better alternative then a loss but the same scenario holds true for the Galaxy, a Chicago-area squad that made it to Regionals as a wildcard choice following their 3rd place finish in the MRL.

U17 Girls St. Louis Scott Gallagher – 4
Lexington FC 94 Premier (KY) – 0
Molly Brewer and her teammates had a strong opening game. They face off against the MN Thunder squad tomorrow. The Thunder won 1-0 over Cincinnati United (also known as CUSA).

U18 Girls St. Louis Scott Gallagher –
Carmel United Elite 93 (IN) –
4pm game

Springfield SC 94/95 Competing At Region 2 Tourney

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Springfield SC 94/95 - Missouri State Champions 2011The Springfield SC 94/95 Boys, fresh from their State Championship at the Missouri Cup last Thursday, are enroute to Appleton WI today to compete in the Region 2 Tourney. Part of the USYSA National Championship series, their State title sends them to this regional round with the regional age group winners then advancing to the National Championships in Phoenix next month.

The second team in Springfield Soccer Club to win a State Championship (the 90/91 age group won as 16 and 17 year olds in 2007 and 2008), they will be exposed to the Regional tournament for the first time. The tournament runs June 24-29 and like Cup will include a Group stage followed by knockout rounds.

I stopped by the final practice Thursday prior to their departures and got a few shots (see below) and chatted briefly with Josh McCutcheon (Kickapoo) and Evan Garrad (Glendale), the team captains:

Tournament Schedule:
Sat Jun 25 - 10:00 AM – SC Waukesha Pumas (WI) vs Springfield SC (MO)
Sun Jun 26 – 4:00 PM – Springfield SC (MO) – IL Galaxy (MRL2)
Mon Jun 27 – 8:00 AM – Everest SC Black (OH-N) – Springfield SC (MO)
Tue Jun 28 – 10:00 AM - [TBD] 1 of Pool B vs [TBD] 1 of Pool D
Wed Jun 29 – 8:30 AM - [TBD] Winner of Semifinals 1 vs [TBD] Winner of Semifinals 2

The team is part of Group D and the draw has some good news and some bad news. The good news is the opening match is against a team much like SSC, a first time competitor that comes from a program building new traditions in a state where FC Milwaukee is the dominant program. Waukesha (Wah-ka-shaw) is a western suburb of Milwaukee and where the highway turns North to Appleton. The other portion of the good news is the top-ranked team in the pool is Everest SC Black, ranked 5th in Region 2, but a team that SSC won’t have to face until they’ve played two prior games. That gives them the opportunity to become familiar with the environment, gain confidence and have current scouting reports on what will be the most difficult game of the tournament.

To get out of the group generally requires avoiding a loss and the first game is the most important. A loss in the first game is the most difficult of hurdles and avoiding Everest in that first game was the first piece of good fortune the boys will need. As the interview above notes, there is a quiet confidence and this is a good team with pace, a strong defensive will and enough inventiveness to be dangerous on this larger stage.

Coached by Eric Sorlie and Michael Seabolt from Missouri State (pictured in the white hat), I hope to have regular updates on their results.

There are several other local players competing this weekend as well. Emily Cline (Drury/Glendale) and Shelby Hatz (Drury/Catholic) are playing for St Louis Scott Gallagher at the U18 age bracket while Molly Brewer (Glendale) is playing for SLSG at the U17 age bracket.

ESPNrise.com did a preview of the Girls bracket that includes the KCFC Alliance squad that includes six players from the State Champion Liberty Jays. Regional Champs at U13 and U15, this is likely the last time these girls will play together and like the State tournament, their goal is to win the trophy.

Alumbaugh Leads Scott Gallagher Metro To U18 Academy Playoffs

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Jeremy Alumbaugh, SIU-Edwardsville/Scott Gallagher Metro

Jeremy Alumbaugh, SIU-Edwardsville/Scott Gallagher Metro

Congratulations to former Springfield SC Technical Director Jeremy Alumbaugh who in his second year has led the St Louis Scott Gallagher Metro U17/18 squad from a 9th place finish in 2010 to 1st Place in 2011 in the Frontier Division of the Central Conference. The boys went from a 2-11-5 record within their Division (4-15-8 overall) to 8-3-3 this year (11-6-4 overall). The boys accomplished the feat by finishing the year on a 2-0-1 run that included a tie against the Gallagher Missouri squad and a pair of wins in Minnesota over Shattuck-St Mary’s and the Minnesota Thunder.

The team advances to the Academy Playoffs & Showcase event in Frisco, TX later this week, June 24-28. 32 teams from across the country will participate in Group play, with each of the 8 Playoff Groups containing 4 teams each.

The top eight finishers at the Development Academy Playoffs qualify to attend Finals Week which will be July 9-16 in Milwaukee, WI. Players and coaches are exposed to an overall event designed according to U.S. Soccer Best Practices both on and off the field. The final matches place seeds 1-4 from each group against one another, matching Seed 1 from Group A against Seed 1 from Group B in each group in the final placement game.

Congrats Jeremy. See you Sunday October 30th when the Cougars visit Missouri State for the final home game of the season for the Bears.

Emily Cline Gets Game Winner, Headed To Region II Tourney

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Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons (2011)

Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons (2011)

The Post-Dispatch has the story from Wednesday’s U18 Girls Final at the Missouri State Cup:

Cline came off the SLSG Green Academy bench to score the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over SLSG Navy in the Under-18 women’s championship game Wednesday night at the Scott Gallagher Complex. SLSG Green Academy now advances to play in regionals later this month in Wisconsin.

Cline, who has signed to play both soccer and basketball at Drury University, scored late in the opening half after coming up with a steal.

“I got the ball and I went to the goal,’’ she said of her short-side shot. “My job is to come off the bench and to hopefully keep up the pressure that the starters were applying.’’

A style of play, with similar results, we saw frequently here in the Ozarks this past season. The team next plays in the Region 2 Tournament which will be held in the Fox Cities (Central) Wisconsin from June 25-29. The team has already qualified for the National tournament as well,via the US National League, which will be held July 27-31 in Phoenix.

Cline is also playing basketball for the Lady Panthers and the Pro-Am Court series has begun here in Springfield. You can find the roster and schedule on TAGsgf.com which shows possible conflicts on June 29th and July 27th for Emily :)

Tim Noonan Selected Missouri Referee Of The Year

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Tim Noonan, 2011 Missouri Referee of the Year

Tim Noonan, 2011 Missouri Referee of the Year

Congratulations to Tim Noonan, chosen as the 2011 Missouri Referee of the Year. A single referee is chosen in each state on an annual basis by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Tim was chosen to represent Missouri. Congratulations and well deserved sir.

Also a shoutout to a pair of up-and-coming young refs, Patrick Burns and Courtney Wendel. Courtney was part of the first all-woman crew that worked the Class 1 Final today between Catholic and St Vincent as well as working the line for the Ursuline vs IWA semifinal on Friday. Patrick worked the Harrisonville game on Friday and was rewarded with the Class 3 Final today between Liberty and Ursuline. The big time!
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Your Mothers Day and Fathers Day Gift Headquarters

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Future SC, U9 Boys at Ozark CocaCola/Dr Pepper CupSo kiddo’s, Mother’s Day is next Sunday and Father’s Day is in June. Are you ready yet to say thanks? It’s not too late to share not only photos, but keepsake gifts and clothing imprinted with photos of you, by your favorite soccer photographer.

Check out my photo ordering website where you can get not only standard prints but plenty of other options as well. Here’s where you can see all of the options listed below and more!

Desktop Organizer — Keepsake Box — Photo Puzzle — Photo Panels — Photo T-Shirts – Photo Sweatshirts – Photo Apron — 4×6 Postcard – Ceramic Photo Mugs – Photo Luggage Tag – Photo Buttons –Photo Coasters – Photo Tote Bag — Ceramic Tile Mosaic – Photo Playing Cards

Portland Timbers vs Chicago Fire – 10pm Tonight ESPN2

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Jack Jewsbury in Springfield, MO 2006

Jack Jewsbury in Springfield, MO 2006

Happy belated birthday to Jack Jewsbury who turned 30 yesterday (Wednesday April 13th). Captain of the Portland Timbers, he’ll lead them onto the national stage tonight when they play their first home game at the newly christened JELD-WEN Field. Chicago (1-1-1) comes into the game after a loss at Seattle on Saturday. Portland (0-2-1) got their first point on Jack’s goal in a tie at New England on April 2nd.

Yahoo Sports

The Portland Timbers began their MLS tenure with a pair of losses before concluding a season-opening road trip by picking up their first point. They don’t want to settle for anything less than three Thursday night.

The Chicago Fire are the opponent for expansion Portland’s much-anticipated debut at Jeld-Wen Field, which underwent a major renovation that the Timbers expect will give them a big home-field advantage.

The Offside – Portland Timbers

There are three clear keys to success for the Timbers tonight: First, take the lead or at least keep from giving up a goal in the first half; Second, take advantage of the vast spaces between Chicago’s midfield and defensive bands; and Third, flood the defensive third to prohibit movement by the Fire’s dynamic South American.

Chicago Fire Confidential

The Fire will face an old nemesis in forward Kenny Cooper who always seemed to manage a goal against Chicago while playing for FC Dallas. Cooper is Portland’s main offensive weapon and tallied the Timbers first ever MLS goal on opening night against Colorado. He’s joined up top by 25 year old Colombian Jorge Perlaza.

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Jesse Miech Named Head Coach at Illinois-Springfield

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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.

Haist and Moats On Their Win Over Catholic (my 5000th story)

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moats miller haist, Nixa Eagles

Lauren Moats, Kristin Miller, Kelsey Haist, Nixa Eagles (Sectional, 2010)

I’ve been covering your kids for six years and this post is number 5000 in that time period. Add in 21K photos on my photo site and 25K photos on my old photo site and this is video 380. Compare that to the coverage the News-Leader offers. One story so far this season, a half dozen during the season plus their post-season coverage. How am I doing?

I need your support to continue this effort. Purchasing photos is the most important thing you can do to help me cover my costs (camera and video gear, website and photo site hosting, travel and my time). Please take the time to visit the photo site and make a purchase. You can get playing cards, mugs, anything that can be printed on. Be creative, share your kids accomplishments with your family in fun ways. Thank you to all who have done so already!

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate reaching this milestone 5000th story than sharing this post-game interview with the midfield duo at Nixa. Senior Kelsey Haist, headed for Missouri Southern in the Fall, and Lauren Moats, 1st Team All-State as a sophomore, set the tone for the Eagles and it’s one of quiet confidence, based upon delivering on the pitch. It also speaks to the development of the team, beaten last year in the Quarterfinals by Rock Bridge, who wore them down. The Eagles appear to have learned their lesson in that regard.

Questions? Contact me.