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.

Shea Groom, Liberty Jays (2011)

Player of the Year – Shea Groom, Liberty
Offensive Player of the Year – Kasey Clark, Liberty
Defensive Player of the Year – Maddie Friedman, Ursuline
Co-GoalKeepers:
Caroline Stanley, Lee’s Summit North
Mallory Yant, Ursuline
Coach of the Year – Private Ashlee Slayback, Ursuline
Co-Coach of the Year – Public:
Tom Rottjakob, Liberty
Jeff Rogers, Glendale

See video of the game winning goal by Shea Groom in the final second of the second OT period against Ursuline. She gets the touch just before Maddie Friedman and Mallory Yant are able to get to the ball. Three top players in a single space, it’s an incredible goal.

Final Rankings
1 Liberty 27-3
2 Ursuline 17-5-1
3 Glendale 22-2
4 Incarnate Word 16-6-1
5 Lee’s Summit North 19-6
6 Park Hill South 22-4-1
7 St. Joe 16-6
8 St. Teresa’s 17-4
9 Howell North 17-7-1
10 Lindbergh 20-7
11 Lee’s Summit West 20-6
12 Ft. Zumwalt West 18-7-1
13 Howell 18-5-2
14 Lafayette 19-8
15 Rock Bridge 16-8-1

Kindra Lierz, Glendale Falcons (2014)

Player of the Year: Emily Cline, Glendale Falcons
Offensive MVP: Molly Brewer, Glendale Falcons
Defensive MVP: Alix Opfer, Glendale Falcons
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kindra Lierz, Glendale Falcons
Coach of the Year: Jeff Rogers, Glendale Falcons

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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.

Gelsheimer (Kickapoo) vs Opfer (Glendale)

Hillcrest Hornets -
Marshfield Blue Jays -

Republic Tigers – 6
Branson Pirates – 0
goals by Tabby Iles, Sara Marcotte,Samantha Minor(2), Saddie Stevens, and Shelby King. JV tied 1-1

Central Bulldogs -
Greenwood Blue Jays -

Kickapoo Chiefs – 0
Glendale Falcons – 1 (1st OT)
The Falcon’s captured the Ozark Conference title this evening, finishing 9-0 with their second win of the season over the Chief’s. Unlike the first match, a high-scoring affair with only a modicum of defense, this game played out tactically exactly as each Coach likely desired, except for the final outcome in the case of the Chiefs.

Kickapoo avoided the simple mistakes that have cost them this year for 86 minutes, limiting fouls while still maintaining a physical presence that kept Glendale from imposing themselves in this game. For the Falcon’s, Coach Rogers took a calculated risk that regularly saw both Emily Cline and Molly Brewer playing together as forwards, counting on one them to get the single goal he knew he would need against the well-prepared Chiefs while relying on his relatively young core of defenders – freshman Lierz (in goal) and Burton, with sophomores Wampler, Sprouse, Raff, Yoakam and Weaver – paired with junior Alix Opfer and senior Ashlyn Fiester responsible for the dirty work tonight.

The game-winner came as Cline moved down the left side before cutting towards goal while eluding a pair of defenders, worn out from an evening of chasing her. No fouls but ultimately an open path that took her across the face of the goal before unleashing a shot from 12 yards out that rang off the underside of the crossbar and separated the Falcon’s just a bit more from their upcoming District 11 competition.

It was a hard, sweaty affair, a game that hinged on a final breakdown created by the most dynamic player in the region. It came against a team that prides itself on its hard work and ability to play the game. The Chiefs had opportunities to win this game, with Marin Gelsheimer’s shot that rang off the crossbar. But nobody followed the shot. If the Chiefs get some rest this weekend and find their legs, they could break through in the playoffs but as we saw tonight, it will not be an easy task.

Glendale faces Catholic on Friday night, 8pm at the Greenwood Stadium Field. The City ‘title’ is on the line. See you there! Oh, and I hope I don’t screw up again and miss the goal. Fat fingers I think, or equipment failure, I should have had Cline’s goal on video but …

Former players - Williams, Nedoma, Robinson, Lavoy, Meyer, McElroy

2010 was the Stephanie Phillips game at Kickapoo

2008 was at Kickapoo when McLain & Russell were Seniors
.
2007 Senior Night at Kickapoo.

Glendale Falcons, Spring 2011

Camdenton Lakers – 2 (2nd OT)
Kickapoo Chiefs – 1
The Lakers scored first, Cassie Hale from Miriam Taylor but the Chiefs were able to battle back and tie the score in stoppage time tonight. The game-winner came from the penalty spot in the second overtime period, McKenzie Manzer burying the shot after the foul.

Camdenton moves into second in the Conference race at 7-1-0 while Kickapoo falls out of contention to 4-3-0. The Lakers face Joplin Thursday to finish Conference play. Their loss came to Glendale, 2-3 in early April, so they need the Falcon’s to falter in two of their final three games to earn their first Conference title outright.

Glendale Falcons – 5
Rolla Bulldogs – 1
On senior night, senior forward Erica Torgeson got the game-winner in the 21st minute. The Falcon’s went on to score two more late in the 1st half, first from Molly Brewer who broke in on the right side and whose shot went in off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing out. It was good (I was 10 feet away. Senior Emily Cline also scored on a breakaway in the 36th min. Freshman Nicole Howard showed some fine dribbling skills as she took a ball into the box around a pair of defenders before hammering a shot the keeper got to but deflected into the back of the net. Brewer and Cline each scored a second goal on the evening for the final margin.

Rolla finishes 7-2 in the Conference. The Falcons are now 6-0-0 with games against Lebanon, Waynesville and Kickapoo remaining. The Chiefs will look to play spoilers next Wednesday at Cooper.

West Plains Zizzers – 0
Waynesville Tigers – 4

Joplin Eagles -
Lebanon Yellowjackets -

Parkview Vikings – 2
Joplin Eagles – 1
Senior Kelsey Loderhose got both goals for the Vikings, via a free kick and one from the penalty spot.

West Plains Zizzers – 0
Glendale Falcons – 4
Molly Brewer scored 3 Goals and Emily Cline 1 Goal in the win

Waynesville Tigers – 1
Camdenton Lakers – 3

Rolla Bulldogs – 10
Hillcrest Hornets – 0

Parkview Vikings – 0
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 2
The Yellowjackets are applying the lessons learned in last years difficult campaign and earning some good wins. Goals by Janae Whillock and Abby Zimmerman on the road at Parkview.

JV game was won by Parkview, 3-1

Glendale Falcons – 3
Camdenton Lakers – 2
The Falcons got goals from Emily Cline (2G) and Molly Brewer (1G/2A), Allison Yoakam and Courtney Wampler earning assists. Glendale moves to 2-0 in the Conference and Camdenton is 1-1.

The JV defeated the Camdenton Lakers, 5-1.

Rolla Bulldogs – 2
Kickapoo Chiefs – 1

Waynesville Tigers – 7
Hillcrest Hornets – 0

Hillcrest Hornets – 0
Camdenton Lakers – 10

Joplin Eagles – 0
Glendale Falcons – 6
The text I got indicated the trio got a duo which I interpret to mean that senior Emily Cline and juniors Molly Brewer and Alix Opfer all scored twice in Tuesday’s game at Joplin. UPDATE – Alix Opfer (2G/1A), Emily Cline (2G), Molly Brewer (2G), Drianna Raff (1A). Glendale JV defeated Joplin Eagles, 3-0.

Lebanon Yellowjackets – 4
West Plains Zizzers – 0
From ZizzerSoccer.com – a couple of good saves by Sammi Phegley kept things close. A 14th minute goal by Jessica Ogle as she beat Phegley just inside the post to give Lebanon a 1-0 halftime lead. The Yellowjackets scored 3 more in the final 10 minutes. Carsyn Beard converted a PK, Abigale Zimmerman was credited with a goal when she came crashing in on a cross and the final goal came on a shot from about 18 yards out.

Kickapoo Chiefs – 4
Waynesville Tigers – 0

Rolla Bulldogs – 3
Parkview Vikings – 2
Rolla got goals from Nicole Howard, Ellen Spooner and Emily Carroll as they held off the visitors. Parkview’s goals were scored by Molly Robb and Holly Messick.

Emily Cline (GHS 2011) and Rachel McIntyre (KHS 2011)

Glendale Falcons – 5
Kickapoo Chiefs – 3
The game got off to a fast start when Emily Cline was taken down just outside the box in the 2nd minute. Jr Molly Brewer collected the loose ball, set and shot to the far post (video below). Kickapoo tied the game only minutes later when McKenna Adams was fouled in Glendale’s box, leading to a goal scored from the penalty spot by Marin Gelsheimer. In the 22nd, Cline was once again fouled leading to a direct kick from approximately 26 yards out. Once again Brewer was on target. When Cline scored from the top of the penalty box late in the first half, it appeared Glendale had an unassailable lead.

Kickapoo had been controlling play in the latter part of the first half, moving the ball well against the Falcons. It was a nice display in comparison to Glendale’s focus on springing Cline. When she scored in stoppage time, it could have disheartened the Chief’s but they came out in the second half committed to their plan. It led to their second goal when McKenna Adam’s was able to move parallel to the end line into the box all the way to the six yard box where she slid her shot to the far post.

Glendale’s bench was crowded this evening, in comparison to the Chief’s who had four substitutes available. In the 55th minute, Rachel McIntyre was shown a straight red card, leaving Kickapoo with 10 on the pitch. Cline had been sprung free down the left side. As McIntyre came across from the right side to track her down her tackle stopped the attack but at the expense of her remaining time on the pitch. She’ll also miss the game against Catholic on Friday. Yet again the Chief’s fought back from a deficit, tying the game a few minutes later when Glendale was called for a handball in the box. Gelsheimer finished her second PK of the night and it looked like we were headed to overtime until…

Yep, Cline. This time it was a goal kick by freshman starter Kendra Lierz. Cline came across and flicked the ball forward into space and used her pace to again get behind the defense and bury her breakaway in the 75th. She scored her hat-trick minutes later when a breakdown in the box led to an open net.

Lauren Moats, Nixa Eagles (2012)

Player of the Year – Shea Groom, Liberty
Co-Offensive Player of the Year – Mariah Gove, Hazelwood West & Kaysie Clark, Liberty
Defensive Player of the Year – Tiffany Laughlin, Pattonville
Goalkeeper of the Year – Caroline Stanley, Lee’s Summit North

Coach of the Year,Private – Melissa Bruno, Cor Jesu
Coach of the Year, Public – Tom Rottjakob, Liberty

Tiffany Laughlin is headed to Missouri State in the Fall along with Brooke Williams, Liberty and Katie Kujawa, Cor Jesu. Kara Steiner from Jefferson City is headed for Drury.