Natalie Smid, Springfield Catholic (2011) with the clearance

Co-Player of the Year:
Natalie Smid, Springfield Catholic
Shelby Hatz, Springfield Catholic
Co-Offensive Player of the Year:
Camille Christie, Pembroke Hill
Alexis Robbers, Orchard Farm
Defender of the Year: Storm French, St. Vincent
GoalKeeper of the Year: Alyssa Mangan, Kennedy
Coach – Private: Ben Timson, Springfield Catholic
Coach – Public: Brandon Cox, Orchard Farm

Final Rankings
1 Springfield Catholic 23-4
2 St. Vincent 22-5
3 Pembroke Hill 14-14
4 Orchard Farm 17-9
5 St. Pius X (Festus) 24-2
6 Barstow 13-6
7 Kennedy 12-11
8 Southern Boone 20-7
9 Winfield 14-10-1
10 John Burroughs 8-9-1

Natalie Smid, Springfield Catholic (2011) vs SoBoCo, 2011 Quarterfinals

St Vincent Indians (21-4) –
Orchard Farm Eagles (17-7) –

St Vincent finished 3rd last year, beating Barstow 2-0 in the consolation game after falling to Catholic 1-0 on Natalie Smid’s 2nd half goal.

The team returns four All-State players from last season, led by juniors Kayla Seabaugh, a defender and a pair of forwards in Abby Lappe and Storm French, all 1st Team. Senior midfielder Emily Cissell was honorable mention and rounds out the group. Add freshman goalkeeper Katie Mattingly, who’s seen the difference between winning and losing while cheering her sister the last two years, and the team knows what is needed. Junior sweeper Storm French noted in the SE Missourian

“Now that the juniors and seniors have both experienced winning vs. getting third, we know what it’s like and we want to be back on top again.”

They’ve accomplished the first part of that goal by adjustments that have allowed the Indians to win 2 of the last 3 games in the second half. They went to halftime scoreless against St. Pius in the district title game and John Burroughs in the state quarterfinal contest. The Indians have allowed only 16 goals this season.

For the Orchard Farm Eagles, it all starts with Alexis Robbers (#2, Lou Fusz), an All-State first team midfielder for the Eagles as a sophomore last year who leads the team in scoring (29 goals, 13 assists) as a junior from her position. Robbers grew up in Largo, FL and moved to the St. Charles area prior to her sophomore season and has already committed to play for the MIAA Champion Central Missouri Mules. The Post Dispatch looked at the team early in the season and pointed to senior midfielder Andrea Liston and senior defenders Casey Kesselheim and Sareen Dargahi as keys to the season. Kesselhiem and Dargahi were key components in an Eagles squad that gave up just 36 total goals – or 1.44 per game – last season. Add in forward Brooke Burckhardt (24 goals) and the team has the tools to compete.

The school, located North of St Charles in the floodplains and farming community between the Mississippi and Missouri River, bounced back from last year’s OT loss to Trinity in the District Final to reach the Final 4 with an OT victory over Kennedy in the Quarterfinal on a pair of goals by Brooke Burckhardt, including the game-winner, and by Robbers. It’s the schools first trip to the Final 4 on the heels of its first ever District Title which will be the key difference in this game. Here’s the money quote for both teams however:

“It’s probably more gratifying this year than it has been the last few years,” St Vincen’ts Coach Wengert said about reaching the final four. “The first year you go, you don’t know what to expect. Last year, I thought maybe we went in a little overconfident and relaxed and didn’t play to our capabilities, whereas this year we’re definitely going to relish being in there and not taking anything for granted and we’re going to go do our best.”

Springfield Catholic (21-4) -
Pembroke Hill Raiders (13-13) –

The Fightin’ Irish won the title last year with two complete games, opening with their 1-0 win against St Vincent and followed with the 3-0 win over Trinity, sparked by then sophomore Bekah Bade’s game-winner in the second half. It was a measure of revenge for Catholic, who fell two Trinity 0-2 in the semifinal game the previous year as a combination of nerves and great goal-tending held them off. Like the St Vincent Indians, this team knows the difference between winning and losing and with 10 seniors who are making their third trip to State, this first game will set the tone.

The team is led by a quartet of 1st Team All-State players, starting in the middle with Natalie Smid (#16) who has been pulling the strings in midfield since her freshman year. The defense is anchored by Carsen Baron (#12) and Rebecca Mayus (#6) while Drury Panther signee Shelby Hatz (#14) provides breakaway speed on the wing and up top. Senior Andrea Parker (#2), headed for Drury with Hatz and Glendale’s Emily Cline, has moved into the middle with Baron providing a staunch, experience defense in front of junior All-Stater Megan Goetzinger in goal.

Junior Bekah Bade (#11), who scored the game-winner against Trinity last year, is joined up top by freshman Nicole Ortega (#8) while another freshman, Lydia Holtmann (#4) continues in her sisters footsteps at providing a skilled, hard-nosed midfielder to complement Smid. The Catholic bench goes 5-7 players deep which will play a significant role on the grass at Fenton as temperatures hit records for early June.

Pembroke, returning to Class 1 after finishing losing in the Class 2 District semifinals to O’Hara last year, return one All-Stater, 2nd team forward Camille Christie (#22) who leads the team with 24 goals scored. They have moved slowly up the Class 1 rankings this season, starting in the 6th slot to the 4th slot going into the Final 4. The team plays a strong schedule of Class 2 and Class 3 teams from Kansas City and Central Missouri. Elizabeth Wayda, also a junior, was 1st Team All-District along with Christie in 2010. Top scorers besides Christie include a trio with 6 apiece -Lilly Friedman, Erin Harvey and Wayda, while Kerry Levings has 5.

Pembroke has a history of success and it will not be an easy game but Catholic has 90 goals from five of their starters and speed to match every program in this region, losing only to Class 3 Glendale.

Joining the DU program this fall are:

Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons (2011)

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)

Andrea Parker, Springfield Catholic (2011)

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.

Rebecca Mayus, Springfield Catholic (2011)

There are three teams that will compete in the District this year. Joplin McAuley, Greenwood and Springfield Catholic.

Ally Adrian, McAuley Warriors (2013)

Sydney Ganus, Greenwood Blue Jays (2011)

How about the defending District and State Champion Springfield Catholic Fightin’ Irish? The Senior Class, led by midfielder Natalie Smid, is in my estimation the group that is most responsible for the regular run to State that has marked this program recently. They will be shooting for their 3rd straight trip to the Final 4 this season and a 2nd straight title. The most significant change for the team will be the loss of senior goalkeeper Rachel Scott. Scott, who has been accepted to Yale and has her sights set on a career in neurological surgery, is focused on preparing for that career this season.

The good news is that junior Megan Goetzinger, who split time in goal with Scott last season and was recognized with Rachel as 2nd Team All-State GK’s, returns and now takes charge in the net. She’ll have 1st All-State defenders Carsen Baron and Rebecca Mayus fronting her which is a plethora of riches any Coach in the region would enjoy. Add a pair of D2 college signee’s in Andrea Parker and Shelby Hatz, who will continue their careers at Drury in the Fall, and the Irish should continue their winning ways. Check out my earlier story for additional impact players.

There were over 50 players at practice on Thursday but it wasn’t a complete contingent as junior Bekah Bade (who scored the game-winner in the title game last June) among others was missing with the basketball season just ending. There are two freshman to keep an eye on going into this season as well. Nicole Ortega joins her sister Emily and Lydia Holtman follows in the footsteps of her All-Star sister Elle who is a senior at Rockhurst. With a senior class of 12, Coach Timson will need to find a balance that helps prepare the underclassmen for next year. A tough problem to have, he’s being assisted this year by Sarah Linsin and Jordan Reppell from Missouri State. Pretty nice role models when you can drive by a billboard and say – hey, there’s my coach!

MSU billboard including Sarah Linsin

Natalie Smid celebrates Bekah Bade's game-winner

Now they focus on recovering and spending time in the weight room along with some road running. The first practice will be Monday February 28th and based upon the chatter I see on Facebook, the girls are looking forward to the upcoming season which can begin March 18th.

Coaches/Boosters – please download this Schedule_example and return it to me!

That’s especially true for the seniors on the defending State Champion Springfield Catholic squad. The Irish return a Senior Class that is most responsible for the regular run to State that has marked this program recently and is shooting for their 3rd straight trip to the Final 4. It includes:

Rachel Scott, GK – 2nd Team All-State
Carsen Baron, D – 1st Team All-State and co-Defensive Player of the Year, Missouri
Rebecca Mayus, D – 1st Team All-State and co-Defensive Player of the Year, Missouri
Natalie Smid, M/F – 1st Team All-State, co-Regional Offensive Player of the Year
Andrea Parker, M/F – Honorable Mention All-State,
Shelby Hatz, F – 1st Team All-State, co-Regional Offensive Player of the Year

Add in juniors Bekah Bade (who scored the game-winner in the title game) and Megan Goetzinger, 2nd Team All-State and 1st Team Regional players, along with seniors Emily Ortega, Jordan Banasik and Courtney Devlin and Head Coach Ben Timson will need to manage the program to peak in May while offering the underclass opportunities early in anticipation of next year. That includes a player that could very well be in the starting lineup on March 18th in freshman Nicole Ortega.

My coverage area for the coming season will include:
7 Class 1 teams, including defending State Champion Springfield Catholic.

6 Class 2 teams, with 5 teams in District 11 battling for their first ever District title now that Bolivar has moved North to District 12. The Liberators will be in a three-way race with Harrisonville and Warrensburg for the opportunity to advance from District 12

16 Class 3 teams, including Sectional champions Nixa. Willard looks to be well-positioned to earn their 2nd straight District title in District 12 as does Rolla in District 10. Nixa will work hard to defend their title with Glendale and Kickapoo the most likely challengers. Ozark will face a challenge with the loss of their senior class from 2010.

Class 3 District 10
Camdenton High School
Lebanon High School
Rolla High School – 2010 District Champs
Waynesville High School
West Plains High School

Class 3 District 11
Branson High School
Glendale High School – 2008 Quarterfinals, 2009 Final 4
Kickapoo High School
Nixa High School – 2010 District Champs
Ozark High School – 2008 District Champs (losing to Glendale in Sectionals when there were 2 classes)

Class 3 District 12
Carthage High School
Central (Springfield) High School
Joplin High School – 2009 District Champs
Neosho High School
Parkview High School
Willard High School – 2010 District Champs

Class 2 District 11
Carl Junction High School
Hillcrest High School
Logan-Rogersville High School
Marshfield High School
Republic High School

Class 2 District 12
Bolivar High School – 2009 District Champs
Clinton High School
Harrisonville High School – 2010 Quarterfinals
Pleasant Hill High School
Warrensburg High School

Class 1 District 11
Dixon High School
Laquey High School
Liberty (Mountain View) High School
St. James High School – 2008 District Champs

Class 1 District 12
Greenwood High School
McAuley Catholic High School
Springfield Catholic High School – 2008 Quarterfinals, 2009 Final 4, 2010 State Champions

Tillie Bill, Southern Boone Co Eagles (2010)

Player of the Year – Tillie Bill, Southern Boone
Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Shelby Hatz and Natalie Smid, Springfield Catholic
Co-Defensive Players of the Year – Carsen Baron and Rebecca Mayus, Springfield Catholic
Co-Goalkeepers of the Year – Rachel Scott and Megan Goetzinger, Springfield Catholic

L to R: Natalie Smid, Shelby Hatz, Carsen Baron, Bekah Bade, Ronnie Renner, Rebecca Mayus, Erin Fitzgerald

The Missouri Soccer Coaches Association has release their 2010 Girls Class 1 All-State recognition.

Player of the Year – Tillie Bill, Southern Boone
Offensive Player of the Year – Abby Lappe, St. Vincent
Co-Defensive Player of the Year – Carsen Baron and Rebecca Mayus, Springfield Catholic
Goalkeeper of the Year – Taylor Zerbe, Trinity

Coach of the Year, Private – Ben Timson, Springfield Catholic
Coach of the Year, Public – Chris Miller, Southern Boone

Natalie Smid and Shelby Hatz celebrate the game-winning goal

The game winner was scored by Smid, from a Carsen Baron set piece following a foul near the right touch line and 35 yards out, in the 55th minute. The ball arrived just outside the 6 yard box, pulling the keeper out where she and her defender lost a battle with Bekah Bade in the air. The ball fell loose and Smid was the first to the ball, collecting it and turning to put her shot just inside the upright before a defender could cover. Well executed, hard work by several players and the most positive of results.

The Irish used up at least one four leaf clover in the process of getting to this point. The game plan, according to defensive leader Carsen Baron, was to concentrate on absorbing the Indian’s attack in the initial stages of the game and then adapt their attack to what they learned about their opponents. What that translated into was a few initial forays down the middle before beginning to use their strength and speed to attack the wings. As they spread the defense, the middle opened up for Fitzgerald and Smid to gain control.

While the Irish had the majority of the play in the final 25 minutes of the first half, the Indians showed flashes of the offensive prowess that got them this far. Junior Rachel Cook delivered two important saves late in the half to keep the Irish tied. The first came as she tipped a shot over the crossbar that had the Irish fans holding their collective breath. She followed that up by taking the ball off of an attackers feet with a fearless dive.

The Irish game-winner came five minutes after an early second half flurry by the Indians, who pushed hard to get the important first goal. Megan Goetzinger and her teammates saw the best St Vincent opportunity bounce off the upright and away in the 50th. As winning teams often do, the Irish capitalized on their good fortune and created their own destiny. It will be a familiar foe, as the face North County’s Trinity Titans tomorrow in the Title game.

Photos will follow soon. And thanks for winning, I’m looking forward to sleeping in!

Trinity Titans, 2010 Class 1 Semifinal

Photos will follow soon

The Title game will be a rematch of last years semifinal game between Trinity, who finished second after beating Catholic, supported by one of the finest goalkeeping displays I saw last Spring. The Titan’s lost to St Vincent’s 3-1 this season and Coach Drake commented on the quality of play the Indian’s displayed all season. The game was early for Trinity, prior to their late season run when they went 8-5 to get back to a positive record and find the form needed to advance to State for the second straight year. The run coincided with a defensive adjustment and the return goalkeeper Taylor Zerbe, out earlier in the season due to concussion.

The Class 1 Title game will feature Springfield Catholic against Trinity. Game time is 4:00 pm.

The Class 1 3rd Place game will feature the St Vincent Indians against Barstow. Game time is 10:00 am.

Bekah Bade, Catholic scoring from a corner kick

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 2
Branson Pirates – 0
A pair of goals in the first 20 minutes provided the difference in this early season COC match up. The first goal came from freshman Haley Weeks, followed by jr Stevie Heidzig who once again scored on a direct kick against the Pirates. This one came from 25 yards out and without the dramatics of her OT game-winner at Branson last year. Second straight shutout for GK Kelsay Leingang, who won in PK’s Monday against Carthage.

Helias Crusaders – 4
Waynesville Tigers – 0
From the Jeff City News-Tribune: Up 2-0 at the half Tuesday, the Helias Lady Crusaders were in control of their game with the Waynesville Lady Tigers. They just didn’t look smooth doing it. “It was a little bit of chaos,” Helias soccer coach Chuck Register said. “We needed to settle down a little bit, start thinking a little bit instead of just reacting.”

Ozark Tigers – 5
Harrison Lady Goblins – 0
From the new OzarkTigerSoccer.wordpress.com website – Senior forward Alicia Collard (pictured above with freshman Morgan Davidson) opened the game up for the Lady Tigers with a hat trick in the first twelve minutes of play.

Hickman Kewpies – 2
Pembroke Hill – 0
From the Missourian The Hickman girls soccer team has been practicing corner kicks lately. It paid off on Tuesday evening when the Kewpies scored two goals off of corner kicks to defeat visiting Pembroke Hill 2-0.

Laquey Hornets –
Dixon Bulldogs –

Head Coach Ben Timson with Jessica Smits (back left)

The Irish return ALL of their Regional players from last year, including Co-Offensive POY Shelby Hatz and Natalie Smid, Co-Defensive POY Rebecca Mayus and Carsen Baron, along with Erin FitzGerald and Andrea Parker, all juniors except for central midfielder Erin Fitzgerald, one of three seniors on the squad. The other seniors are Veronica Renner and Rachel Herron and the Irish have TWO quality keepers in Rachel Scott and Megan Goetzinger. A plethora of riches for Coach Ben Timson and new assistant, Jessica Smits, last seen roaming the pitch as a left back for the Missouri State Bears.

The most significant loss was emotional leader Maddy Renner, now matriculating at Central Missouri, but with a varsity roster that includes 20 players with experience at State the girls are primed to make a second straight visit this year and leverage that experience in the same fashion as the boys team who captured 2nd last Fall. So, where do you think they will finish?

I’ll be visiting several other schools during the next two weeks while compiling team schedules and rosters. Look for more as we head for the opening game of the season this year which will be Monday March 22nd at Ozark High School where the Tigers will host the Irish. Mark your calendar now!

Private Coach of the Year – Dustin Wengert, St. Vincent
Public Coach of the Year – Chris Miller, Southern Boone

First Team
Position Player Year School
D Becky Esrock SR Whitfield
D Kayla Seabaugh FR St. Vincent
D Kourtney Luaders SO St. Pius (Festus)
D Justine Dover JR Sacred Heart
F Jen Eaton FR Trinity
F Hilary Torres JR St. Pius X (KC)
F Shelby Hatz SO Springfield Catholic
F Abby Lappe FR St. Vincent
GK Taylor Zerbe SO Trinity
MF Kristen Crandell SR Principia
MF Cristina Post SR Principia
MF Alicia Vonderheid SR Trinity
MF Emily McMeekin SR Barstow
MF Jewel Kawamoto SR Barstow
MF Courtney Besand SR St. Vincent
MF Maddy Renner SR Springfield Catholic
MF Natalie Smid SO Springfield Catholic
MF Tillie Bill JR Southern Boone
MF Emily Cissell SO St. Vincent
MF Abby Whittington SO Trinity

Second Team
D Kara Coffe SR Bishop LeBlond
D Carsen Baron SO Springfield Catholic
D Rebecca Mayus SO Springfield Catholic
D Liesl Schnuck SR John Burroughs
D Amy Exely FR Trinity
D Megan Sutterer JR St. Vincent
D Jordyn Jennings JR Orchard Farm
F Devin Wadley SO Sacred Heart
F Elena Crosley SR John Burroughs
F Lauren Furbush JR Principia
F Alexis Jackson FR Trinity
F Liz Brueckner JR St. Vincent
F Hannah Schiltz SO Southern Boone
GK Kate Walsh SR Whitfield
GK Abby Jordan SO Winfield
GK Rebekah Dowd JR Southern Boone
MF Danielle Blatt SR Barstow
MF Andrea Parker SO Springfield Catholic
MF Maddie Smith JR Greenwood
MF Storm French FR St. Vincent
MF Alex Ross SR Orchard Farm
MF Katie Curtis FR Southern Boone