Indiana FC’s best chance came early in the 2nd half when they were able to generate several attacks down the heart of the RC FC defense. The most dangerous was a high hard shot in the 51st minute that Meghann Burke stretched to corral.

It was a well-played match that featured one of the purest midfielders I’ve seen in quite some time, FC Indiana’s Fatima Leyva., one of two members of the Mexican national team on FC Indiana (Monica Ocampo in red is pictured above with Monique Gjini). The opportunity to see Missouri State’s Kate Hercules who played 90, as well as a number of players I’ve read much about such as Janelle Cordelia (Hickman/Mizzou), Caitlin King (Nerinx/Auburn) and Julia Brandenburg (Ursuline/SLU) added to the experience.

The next home game is Thursday June 28th at 7:00 pm when the ladies will host Ghana’s Ghatel Ladies FC team.

For new visitors, click on the photo above and you’ll be taken to my photo site where you’ll find almost 50 photos of the match that are available for personal download and use. Enjoy!

Jackie Jasper (pictured above), Missouri State 2009, will start in goal, replacing injured first teamer Meghann Burke. The RC FC defense, which includes starter Kate Hercules, Missouri State 2007, has allowed only six goals this year and will hope to improve on that record.

With the college season beginning August 7th (preseason practice) the ladies will come in well prepared for the rigors of the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference season.

Kate played in eight of the nine games and has the opportunity to play in three more potentially. River Cities FC will host a Quarterfinal match against the winner of the South Division, Tampa Bay Elite. The game is scheduled for Saturday July 22nd at 8:00 at CBC High School in Chesterfield. Youth players who wear their respective club jersey or t-shirt will get in for free, $5 for adults.

The winner of the match will go to the Final Four to be held in Salt Lake City, UT

East Alton, IL- River Cities FC, who has just entered the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), the number one league for women in the nation, are now holding open tryouts in search of additional talent in the Metro area. If weather permits, the tryouts will be held on the following dates at CBC Stadium in St. Louis, MO.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 from 1pm – 3pm & 5pm-8pm
Sunday, March 5, 2006 from 10am – 1pm

If interested, applicants may forward their playing resume to contact@rivercitiesfc.com. Players may also mail a videotape of themselves playing to:

River Cities FC
Attn: Lindsay Kennedy
707 Berkshire Blvd.
East Alton, IL 62024

There will be an administrative fee of $25.00 for tryouts.
River Cities FC is a Women’s Premier Soccer Team looking to create a competitive soccer environment for women pre-college, college, and post collegiate. Director of Operations, Lindsay Kennedy, stated recently that, “There are many competitive female players in the area who don’t have the opportunity to play at that high of a level in the off season or at any time for that matter. We are looking to create that intense atmosphere for competitiveness among these athletes.” Speaking on behalf of the talent that Ms. Kennedy expects to see at the open tryouts, she commented, “I hope that the locals as well as players from around the country who are coming here for tryouts bring their best game to the field. We will accept nothing less than the best of the best. I encourage all potential players to bring their ’A’ game.”

The season officially begins May 1, 2005.

For those who haven’t been paying attention, Springfield is home (during the school year) to a 1st Team Defender in the WPSL. What do you think Sarah, how about staying in Missouri this year!

Women’s soccer league comes to IL

The Women’s Premier Soccer League granted River Cities FC a spot in its Midwest Region, the organization announced Monday.

The Women’s Premier Soccer League, (WPSL), is the highest level of women’s soccer in the nation and second in the world.

WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli said in a statement that he is excited about the Illinois addition. “We are positive that they will bring a very competitive organization into the league.”

Simmons Cooper Law Firm Co-Owner Jeff Cooper ownes the River Cities FC team. The team’s Director of Operations is Lindsay Kennedy who played for the St. Louis Steamers in 2005 and became the first woman to compete in the Major Indoor Soccer League. The team will consist of Kennedy and many other standout players from around the U.S. The team will host tryouts the first week of March and will officially begin its season on May 1.

Justin McMillan, who currently plays for the St. Louis Steamers will coach the River Cities FC. McMillian also owns a soccer specific strength and conditioning organization, Elite FT.

It appears that this team replaces the St. Louis Archers who were also managed by Lindsay and played in the WPSL last year. I have information on Open Tryouts that will occur in early March and will post that on Monday.

In addition to Sarah’s recognition, there were two players from the St. Louis Archers who were also recognized. Forward Lindsay Kennedy (Harris Stowe College) was a first team pick and her teammate, Meghan Marie Fowler-Finn (Washinton Univ. in St. Louis) was named a second team midfielder.

OK, show of hands. How many of you knew there was a women’s professional team in St. Louis? That’s what I thought. 2006 will be their second year, keep track of them via the link on my right sidebar folks!