It’s Only A Game

Ed Miller, Joplin Eagles with 2011 Seniors

Ed Miller, Joplin Eagles with 2011 Seniors

As District play-offs begin today, please remember it is only a game.

The featured photo was taken on May 19th following Parkview’s win over Joplin in the District 12 title game. Head Coach Ed Miller gathered post-game with his senior players.

Three days later, on May 22nd, the tornado struck Joplin and changed thousands of lives.

Here’s a song written and performed by Kenny Foster for his “HOMETOWN”. “I can think of better things to put my hometown on the map”…

Your Mothers Day and Fathers Day Gift Headquarters

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

Kicking For A Cure Tuesday At Kickapoo

In recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month, the boy’s soccer programs at Republic High School and Kickapoo High School are jointly sponsoring a fund-raising event with all proceeds to be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the Republic Tigers will host the Webb City Cardinals on the NORTH field of the Kickapoo High School Soccer Complex and the Kickapoo Chiefs will host the Carthage Tigers on the SOUTH field. Admission to the games will be $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12 years of age.

The evenings’ events will include four soccer matches beginning with Junior Varsity matches at 5:00 p.m. and Varsity matches at approximately 6:45 p.m. There will also be a silent auction of several items including pink SELECT game balls autographed by players and a drawing, as well as “Kicking for a Cure” t-shirts for sale.

ESPN Featuring Story On Haiti’s U17 Girls Team Tonight!

US_HaitiFrom Soccer America: Tonight at 6 pm, ESPN’s newsmagazine E:60 recounts the story of Haiti’s U-17 girls national team in the wake of the nation’s devastating earthquake and how its players made a connection with their U.S. counterparts after their meeting in U-17 World Cup qualifying.

Update on Haitian Women’s So ccer Team

A World Cup Dream. A small country’s worst nightmare. On January 12, at 4:53 pm local time in Haiti, the earth began shaking. The stadium cracked. The Haitian Under-17 women’s national soccer team hit the ground and prayed. Around them, the 7.0 magnitude earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince. Many lost their homes. The starting goalkeeper lost both her parents. The only thing they felt they still had was each other. And that was enough to keep their dream alive.

E:60 followed the Haitian U17 women’s national team to Costa Rica in March as they attempted to qualify for the Under-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In their opening match, the Haitian team lost to the United States 9-0. Goalkeeper Alexandra Coby dropped to her knees in front of the goal and began to cry. US goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin walked the length of the field to embrace Coby — and the rest of her US teammates followed.

Moved by that moment, the 16-year-old Heaberlin made a commitment to help the Haitian U-17 team. With the support of family and friends, Heaberlin started a foundation, “Many Hearts One Goal”. The goal? Bring the entire Haitian U-17 National team to the United States…to Disney World… in July to participate in a soccer tournament. E:60′s Lisa Salters on an unforgettable story of compassion…and how one touching moment touched a nation.

Catholic’s Natalie Smid Featured On KSMU

Springfield Catholic celebrates State Championship, 2010

Springfield Catholic celebrates State Championship, 2010

The senior to be at Springfield Catholic, an All-State soccer player (far right, photo above) who is also the 9th best cross country runner in the state (per Coach Nick Russo) and holds the Catholic cross-country school record, was featured on KSMU radio recently. Natalie Smid: A Modern-Day ‘Moses’ With Spirit, Smarts, and Charisma covers not only her athletic accomplishments but also the community work she is actively involved in, on top of maintaining an academic record targeted to getting her into Medical school.

I’ve gotten to know Natalie in her three years of High School play, from my early interview with her and her close friend Rachel Scott as freshmen following a key win, to this season as she accepted the reigns of responsibility for leading her championship squad. I’m proud to know she’s using my photo of her celebrating, as Bekah Bade runs to find her first after scoring the eventual game-winner in the championship game. Yet when asked for a photo to use in the KSMU story, she used the one I took of her teamates holding the trophy. Much as Landon Donovan ushered his teammates onto the stage first at the Espy’s and featured Bocanegra as the first speaker, despite the award for Greatest Moment being given in his name. Teams win, not players, and Natalie is a leader that knows that in her heart and leads by example, the best method I know.

Give Dad Something He’ll Love On Father’s Day

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

She’s Just Fundamental To Our Team

Ozark Tigers Class of 2010, Girls Soccer

Ozark Tigers Class of 2010, Girls Soccer

District Soccer has begun and as ABC Wide World of Sports intoned – the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat… the human drama of athletic competition.

The playoff sports calendar opened on Saturday with a significant example, as the senior-laden Ozark Tiger’s (Class of 2010 pictured from senior night, when they beat the Eagle’s in the COC Title game) were knocked out by their largest rival in dramatic fashion. I took some time post-game to chat with Brittany Kirkpatrick and Lauren Moats, two players who were responsible for the game winner. I asked them about their opponents, in particular about the role that Paige Hemphill had in keeping Nixa from the winner’s column.

Hemphill has had no shortage of media coverage during her high school career, all well-deserved. I think it’s appropriate to also consider her teammates that were part of the significant success the team achieved, including their first Class 3 District title in 2008 as well as capturing the first two Central Ozark Conference large school titles the past two years. Here’s an article that talks to the issue of the unrecognized.

WisconsinSoccer featured Dartmouth Coach Angie Hind talking about one of her players who doesn’t have the stats:

“When you look at the stats, you look at the goals and the assists, she’s certainly not going to blow you away by any manner or means. But she is just the kid that just makes it happen,” Hind said of Sack, who was an All-Ivy League selection last season after earning honorable mention status the previous two years.

“She’s the kid that enables us to get the ball and keep the ball, or she plays the pass before the assist, or she’s the kid that breaks up things … She’s just fundamental to our team. I just feel there’s so many midfield players that don’t get the recognition because they don’t score goals and they don’t make assists regularly, and it’s an absolute shame. I know our program wouldn’t be what it is without her.”

As we go deeper into the playoffs, who is it on your team that doesn’t have the statistics but plays a significant role? What would you say to her?

From the article Statistics don’t tell the whole story of Dartmouth’s Myra Sack by Eric Anderson October 19, 2009 in Women’s Soccer. By the way, you can follow Wisconsin Soccer on Twitter as well.

Mother’s Day Gifts Available Here!

Jessica Maerz, Parkview Vikings (2010) wins the header

Jessica Maerz, Parkview Vikings (2010) wins the header

– So kiddo’s, Mother’s Day is 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

Winter’s Bone Premieres May 14th In Springfield

A bit off-topic but give me a few minutes on this one…

The 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning film, Winter’s Bone, will screen in Springfield on May 14th at Missouri State University. The film, based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell (West Plains), was shot completely on location in Taney County in 2009 and included a large number of local actors and crew. Directed by Debra Granik (DOWN TO THE BONE) and adapted for the screen by Granik and Anne Rosellini, the film also won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance.

The film is receiving rave reviews on the Film Festival circuit. The Producers are showing it in Springfield before it is released in general distribution later this summer. All proceeds from the screening will be donated to the Missouri Film Alliance (I am the President of the organization) and a regional Methadone Recovery Clinic. Your attendance will thus support independent filmmaking in the region as well as supporting children impacted by drug and child abuse.

SCREENING INFO: “Winter’s Bone”, Springfield Premiere
When: Friday, May 14th from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Missouri State University in the Plaster Student Union Theatre
Movie Info: Drama, rated R for some drug material, language and violent content
Running time: 100 minutes

Program: Two local musical groups who are featured in the film, Marideth Sisco’s band and White River Music Company, will play at 7 p.m. The film will screen at 8 p.m. There will be a short interview and question/answer session with the film director, Debora Granik, following the screening.

Costs: $15 general admission, $10 for college students with i.d.’s.

Ticket Info: Tickets can be purchased or picked up at the Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, the JQH Arena, or the Plaster Student Union ticket offices. Tickets can also be purchased by telephone or on the internet through MSU TIX – http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=3371&schedule=list

SPONSORS: The event is being sponsored by Ozark Community Hospital and the Missouri State University Film Series with support from the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Letters, and the Department of Media, Journalism and Film.

Parking: public parking will be available in the Park & Ride garage near the Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, in Lot 14 located on the southwest corner of Grand and National, or in Lot 13 located off National and Monroe will also be open.

PROCEEDS: Box office proceeds will be donated to the Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield, and a local Methamphetamine Recovery Program.

Check out the Winter’s Bone Production Page on the MFAS website that includes the complete list of Crew and Actors who participated in the making of the film.

Synopsis: 17 year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) sets out to track down her father, who put their house up for his bail bond and then disappeared. If she fails, Ree and her family will be turned out into the Ozark woods. Challenging her outlaw kin’s code of silence and risking her life, Ree hacks through the lies, evasions and threats offered up by her relatives and begins to piece together the truth.

Katie Pritchard Has Her High School Jersey Retired At Waynesville

Katie Pritchard with AD Josh Scott, parents Keith and Barb Pritchard and sister Molly

Katie Pritchard with AD Josh Scott, parents Keith and Barb Pritchard and sister Molly

Katie Pritchard, class of 2008, was recognized at Slaughter Field Tuesday evening for her high school soccer accomplishments. The special recognition took place between the JV and Varsity WHS soccer matches with opposing teams from Joplin High School.

Katie, a four-time all state soccer player, finished her high school career as the leading goal scorer in the state of Missouri. She finished her four years with an astonishing 171 goals which is 1.86 goals per game. In her first high school soccer match she scored her career game high of six goals. Later in her career she duplicated those scoring efforts in match play. Additionally, Katie was a recognized district and state basketball player for the WHS Lady Tigers and achieved academic honors while attending Waynesville High School.

Katie is currently attending Drury University in Springfield where she has played as a starter for the Lady Panthers Basketball team and was the second leading scorer for the Soccer team with 9 goals and 5 assists for 23 points, trailing only

Making the presentation for WHS was WHS Athletic Director, Josh Scott. Standing with Katie during the recognition were family members, parents Keith and Barb Pritchard, and sister Molly. Unable to be present was older sister Emily who currently attends University of Missouri at Columbia.