Tag Archives: David Bailey

Joe Kofron Steps Down At Springfield Catholic

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Joe Kofron, Springfield Catholic, between periods at Final 4 (2010)

Joe Kofron, Springfield Catholic, between periods at Final 4 (2010)

Joe Kofron has stepped down as Head Coach of the Boys soccer program at Springfield Catholic.

Joe helped found the boys soccer program at Springfield Catholic, begun the Fall of 2007, and was named it’s first head coach. This year’s graduating class features the first group of boys who have played four years for the program and includes Joe’s eldest, Nick Kofron.

The team finished the year with a 22-6 record, reaching the State Final in Class 1 for the second straight year before finishing second behind Whitfield for the second straight year. Joe’s overall record is 81-25-1 and includes three District titles (his 2nd-4th years), a 3rd place finish in 2008 and the 2nd place finishes in 2009 and 2010.

The program has been graced with a high level of talent and Joe was named Co-Coach of the Year in 2008 when the team made their first visit to the Final 4, finishing 3rd with a 23-6 record, the program’s best. There were 7 All-Stater’s in 2009, including 1st team players Justin Bowenschulte, David Bailey and Taylor Arens, 7 All-Stater’s in 2008, including 1st team players Cullen Barr, Justin Bowenschulte and Taylor Arens and 3 All-Stater’s in 2007, including 1st team player Matt Libel. Taylor Aren’s should be the first 3 time All-State 1st team player in the program when the 2010 announcement is made in the next week or two.

Springfield Catholic, Aug 31 2007 after 1st win over Greenwood

Springfield Catholic, Aug 31 2007 after 1st win over Greenwood

Standing left to right. Josh Moncada 2011, Niko Temofeew 2011, Levi Millsap 2011, Brandon Kratz 2011, Sam Taggart 2008, Michael Wester 2008, Austin Lewis #21 2011, Jeff Wiegers 2010, Matt Liebel 2008, Adam Entrup 2011, Matt Simpson 2010, Brandon Lewis 2008, Elliot Scott 2009, Kneeling: Korbyn Behl 2009, David Bailey 2010, Nick Kofron 2011, Taylor Arens 2011, Max Holtmann 2011

Asked about his future plans

My future plans right now are to continue coaching with Springfield Soccer Club. I have already been helping with my daughter’s U9 team but will also get the chance to go back and coach alot of the boys that got me so involved with soccer to begin with by coaching the U18 boys team. The one negative side of coaching the High School boys was that MSHSAA rules did not allow me to coach anyone over the age of 11 the other 9 months of the year.

I also invited Joe to offer additional feedback on the program

It was not an easy decision to step down as I put my heart and soul into molding the program at Springfield Catholic. It seems like just yesterday that the program was finally allowed to evolve through some hard work and perserverance of a few. The biggest point I always tried to push was that to be the best we could not just have a soccer team but needed to have a soccer “program” as I called it.

This meant the boys and parents had to buy in to being the very best we could be. The team not only trains and plays games together but also bonds in other ways. The boys help with the summer camps, attend and support other activities at school including football, volleyball and even attend mass together on the weekends.

The boys program has come a long way these past four seasons with the help of people like Gary Lewis, Tami Millsap and Jim James to mention a few along with help from Tom Hoff (asst. coach), Zach Alumbaugh and other great coaches We have never settled for just being but instead wanted to be the best. I could certainly fill a book with all the great things that different parents have done to help the program and I am sure others will do in the future.

I have enjoyed the time with the boys the most. Sharing the ups and downs and always striving to become better is what the word “team” means to me and this has been one of the best teams (and I mean the last four years) I have ever been involved with as a player or coach. I will truly miss being apart of the great tradition these guys have started! We have had some great moments and a few not so great moments but have certainly learned through them all.

I also know that the Catholic Program can even be better than it is today and I am not referring to the win and loss column. With the passion people have that are involved with this sport on the boys and girls side Springfield Catholic should be the place that parents want their kids to be. There is nothing wrong with striving to be the best and if someone decides to put that into practice with the boys and girls side tied together in all sports than watch out because Catholic will be the place to be not only for its great education but also for its strong Athletic Program!

I asked Catholic AD Same Wutke who the new coach would be, his emailed response was

The decision on who will coach our boys soccer program has not been made and will not be made any time in the near future

A Slide Show from Years 1-3

Thursday Ozarks Regional Soccer Report

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Glendale Falcons Outscore Kickapoo ChiefsGlendale Falcons – 4
Kickapoo Chiefs – 1
The Falcon’s set a high bar in the traditional derby this evening, winning easily by comparison to the history of this series. The game-winner was scored in the 6th minute (I subscribe to the goal that establishes a lead that is not relinquished when measuring game-winners) when Brandon Baum buried his 28 yard direct kick into the upper 90 over the outstretched hands of Kickapoo keeper Tyler Moses. Only 4 minutes later freshman Austin Hart scored as he ran onto a loose ball in the 6 yard box, following Patrick Baltz’s run into the box and shot that was parried by a diving keeper.

Kickapoo had opportunities in this game as twice in the next 10 minutes Baum and then Cameron Dugan were called upon to clear balls from behind Glendale keeper Jordan Pitt. A lack of bodies in the right place meant that the only goal the Chiefs would score this evening would come in stoppage time of the 1st half. Substitute Sean Marren first won a 50/50 ball in midfield before slotting a diagonal pass that sent Skyler Russell into the box between a pair of defenders. His shot from 15 yards brought the Chiefs back within 1 entering the 2nd half. Rumor has it that this is the first goal Russell has ever scored against either the Falcon’s or the Pershing Generals.

The Falcon’s extended their lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half. First Baltz once again got into the 6 yard box, this time burying a shot from Alec Martinez’s short pass. Later Dugan buried a shot that came after a scramble in the box, sealing the victory.

Springfield Catholic Shuts Out West Plain ZizzersSpringfield Catholic – 10
West Plains Zizzers – 0
Justin Bowenschulte and Austin Lewis each had hat tricks in this game played at Cooper #2. Full details available at the Catholic website. Pictured is David Bailey getting the 2nd of his 2 goals, slotting it just beyond the keepers reach.

Willard Tigers – 6
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 0

Bolivar Liberators – 5
Branson Pirates – 1
Goals by Matt Magana (3), Tinash Zingura (1st goal at Bolivar High School), and Kyle Slagle (PK). Assists by Mitchell Waters, Seth Hopwood, and Bradley Stillwagon as the Liberators continue their unbeaten string.

Webb City Cardinals – 2
Carl Junction Bulldogs – 1
The Cardinals have shrugged off last seasons difficulties as they win again against their local rivals

Marshfield Blue Jays – 9
Aurora Houn’Dawgs – 0
Marshfield’s offense clicked, as they scored 9 goals. Goals by: Nicholas Harden, Robert Martin, Colton Harden (PK), Ryan Doolittle (Robert Martin), Robert Martin (Colton Harden), Nicholas Harden (DJ Hensley), Ryan Doolittle (Koty Jones), Colton Harden, Robert Martin (PK). Robert Martin also tied Marshfield’s career goal total at 37.

Springfield Catholic Boys Touring, And Playing, In England

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Catholic In EnglandWe arrived on Friday July 24 in Manchester Airport after a very long and delayed flight. However, even being jet lagged and exhausted we went to Old Trafford, Manchester United’s stadium. It is the largest stadium in English Football seating just over 75,000 people. After this we checked into Chester College where we have stayed for 6 nights. We ate dinner at the college and then decided to go have a training session at the university’s field, it was unexpected however, that we would draw a crowd just to watch us train. They would cheer for us and even chase our balls.

On Saturday we shopped and had free time throughout Chester. We then traveled to Wales to play our first game against Llandyrnog FC in which we won 4-0 with Austin Lewis, Adam Entrup, Carson Shafer, and Taylor Arens scoring. That’s Nick Kofron and #23 (?) pictured at left with a player from Llandyrnog FC, exchanging club banners.

On Sunday morning Liverpool Football Club’s Academy coach and head of player education and welfare, Phil Rosco, trained with us. He had us doing this simplest stuff but made a very large emphasis on detail and technique, and demonstrated that the small things make difference between a great player and an average player. We also went to tour Anfield, Liverpool FC’s home stadium as well as Everton.

On Monday we went to Conway Castle and Snowdonia national park in Wales. We also played our game against Ruthin Town FC and beat them 3-0 with Nick Kofron, Connor Dahlberg, Niko Temofeew scoring. Joe is chasing me out now we need to be on the road in 20 minutes, we will send more information when we get to London.

The report above is by David Bailey. You can see many more photos and lots of details on the Springfield Catholic website.

Update from Coach Kofron – The team photos when we are in green are from the first game and the photos we are wearing blue is from tonights match we lost 3-0 (you can see them on the SGFcatholicsoccer.com website). It was actually a very good physical game where they scored a nice goal in the rainy first half and got one on a deflection with 1 minute to go in first half. Second half and much of the first we had majority of the play but were not effective enough in the final third and missed a few chances that could have changed the outcome. Their team name is Towyn Rangers FC. A very nice disciplined but hard tackling team. Other pictures are from Conway Castle and the Parks we visited. We did not go into Goodison as they do not do tours. Off to London tomorrow to train at Charlton FC training ground. We play again on Friday against BOCA FC.

10/7 Southwest Region High School Soccer Report

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Kickapoo Chiefs – 1
Joplin Eagles – 0
Goal by Brock Ruggeri, assisted by Skyler Russell

Parkview Vikings – 5
West Plains Zizzers – 0
Goals by Tim Griffin (3), Jared Moore and Tanner Bennett. Shutout by Rudy Fotsch

Glendale Falcons – 9
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 1
Devon Newport scored 4 goals and moved into second on the Falcon’s Career scoring list for goals in a single season. Patrick Baltz (3G), Ian Newport (1G/1A), Chris Maddox (1G), Ryan Partch (1A), Ryan Harbach (1A), Josh Hunt (1A), Graham Basecke (1A) all earned points as well.

Rolla Bulldogs – 10
Hillcrest Hornets – 1

Carthage Tigers – 9
Branson Pirates – 0
The Tigers received goals from five different players in a 9-0 win against their new Central Ozark Conference rivals. The Tigers are now 13-2 overall and one step closer to their first ever conference championship. Carthage is 5-0 in the COC with one conference game remaining against Nixa.

NCA Warriors -2
Willard Tigers – 0
Goals by Jeremy Weimer and Dylan Corbett

Bolivar Liberator – 3 (2 OT)
Marshfield Blue Jays – 2
While Bolivar jumped out to an early lead with a pair of goals, the Jays fought back and tied the game in the 50th minute. The game winner came in the 92nd minute, it was the third of Kyle “toad” Slagle’s goals on the evening. Slagle got the game winner on a 60 yard free kick. Toad took the kick from beyond midfield. The ball bounced once, Matt Magana, the keeper and a defender all went up for the ball. The keep got his fingertips on it, but the momentum carried the ball into the net for the golden goal!

Springfield Catholic – 8
Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 0
The Irish got goals from 5 different players, including 4 from David Bailey. Matthew Simpson had the shutout in goal.

9/23 Southwest Missouri High School Soccer Report

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Glendale Falcons vs Joplin Eagles
P Baltz, R Partch, J McDermid, R Squires in the air, T Six, N Fisher and B Aggus in red on the ground with M Duncan hidden, but on the ball.

Glendale Falcons – 3
Joplin Eagles – 1
In a game that had both teams looking to November and a potential Sectional match up, it was tied 0-0 at the end of the first half. The Falcon’s had the best opportunity in the first half, when sophomore Geovanni Lara Luke Barr held his ground on the upright and denied Graham Basecke’s shot from 10 yards out from a scramble following a corner kick. It took a second save by senior John McDermid to keep the Falcon’s off the board in this case. As the second half began, McDermid showed his reaction skills, deflecting a hard shot from close range up and off the cross bar. Glendale continued to force the play however and were rewarded with a PK, due to a hand ball in the box, in the 47th minute. Devon Newport confidently finished for the ultimate game winner.

Sophomore Alec Martinez got the second goal, as he did a great job of holding his ground at the far post, putting himself in the position to nod Cameron Dugan’s cross just inside the far post. The Falcon’s final goal came in the 60th, with Patrick Baltz simply redirecting a square ball from Graham Basecke beyond McDermid’s dive.

Joplin scored a late goal after their junior captain, Max Duncan, blasted a ball that was initially parried but not cleared. Goal scored by Taylor Six. Update – thanks Luke, my mistake!

Kickapoo Chiefs – 2
Parkview Vikings – 0
Kickapoo got goals from Lane Chapman and Ian Kennedy to win what was generally described as a physical affair. The win solidifies the Chief’s aim of earning one of the top two spots in the District seeding in November. The Parkview site has a write up.

Carthage Tigers – 2
Ozark Tigers – 1

Camdenton Lakers – 8
Hillcrest Hornets – 1
The Lakers got a goal 30 seconds into game by Jeff Moffitt in going on to a surprisingly large margin against a Hornet’s squad that is having a good year. Goals were scored by Nate Buttram (2), Rayder
Bennett, Drew Whitney, Jake Schuster, Sal La Ferla and Jake Tamm. First goals of the season for Schuster, La Ferla, and Tamm.

Hillcrest scored a nice goal just before half on a one time volley shot outside the corner of the 18 that sunk into the far post upper 90. Goal was scored by #7.

Rolla Bulldogs – 9
West Plains Zizzers – 0

Waynesville Tigers – 6
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 1
Goals were scored by Ben Moore assisted by Mark Ward, Brandon Kilthau assisted by Kyle Varner, Eric Iverson scored two goals assisted by Kyle Varner, Wade Holcomb scored assisted by Karl Dupont, and Karl Dupont scored with an assist from Pat Sweetsir.

Springfield Catholic – 5
Bolivar Liberators – 0
After losing twice to Bolivar Varsity last year, the Catholic Varsity was able to jump on the scoreboard early when David Bailey shot the ball from the right baseline and hitting the far left side of the goal only 12 minutes into the game.