Heath can thank this post on my otherwise dormant site to a current Kickapoo player with dreams of D1 stardom. His Mom was kind enough to purchase some photos from the Glendale derby game when I was in Springfield a month ago and I shared some comments on her son’s strong performance that evening. That begat a recruiting email exchange. When she brought up the families D1 aspirations, I shared my opinion that I thought her son might be better served considering D2 or D3. The conversation ended at that point, I haven’t heard back from them.

I understand that folks don’t want to hear my frank assessment but I do want their child to have a positive college experience and pursuing a Division 1 dream requires not only talent but good grades and hard work, both on and off the pitch. The same holds true for D2, D3 and NAIA programs but I see more players leave D1 programs, thus interrupting their college experience, arguably the best time you will have in your life. Take a look at the list of College Players I maintained for several years and you’ll get an idea.

When I look at the players who grew up in this region and went on to college play, two played four years of Division 1 soccer and had significant careers. Nick Dryden, West Plains/Missouri State and Heath Melugin, Kickapoo/Missouri State.

Nick Dryden (West Plains) played at Missouri State from 2006 – 2009, starting 61 of 80 games during his four years with his sophomore (18 of 20) and junior (22 of 22) accounting for the most significant contributions. Playing as a defender, he scored 4 goals and had 1 assist during that period.

Here is Heath’s bio from the Missouri State Bears site:
At Missouri State: Melugin, who was selected to the 2011 preseason All-MVC team with teammate Gerard Barbero, will look to add to his productive career and be a major contributor to the Bears’ offense this season.

2010: Melugin was the front runner of a Bears offense that was very productive in 2010. Melugin earned his third letter with team starting in 17 of the teams 18 matches and led the team in several categories such as goals, points, shots and shots on goal. Against Southern Methodist (9/1), Melugin tallied his first goal of the season off a Gerard Barbero assist. He then came back three games later and added his second goal of the season against IUPUI. The scoring didn’t stop coming from Melugin, he added another goal against Louisville (9/18). His fourth goal came on the road against conference opponent Eastern Illinois. Melugin helped secure the win against conference rival Evansville with fifth goal of the season. He turned around six days later and added his sixth goal of the season against Memphis (10/26). That was the second time during the season that Melugin recorded a goal in consecutive games. His only assist of the season came against Bradley (10/30) to Gerard Barbero. Heath added his seventh and final goal of the season against Evansville in the MVC conference tournament (11/10). For his achievements on the field, Melugin received second team All-MVC Team, MVC All-Tournament Team, and second team NSCAA All-Midwest Region Team. As successful as Melugin was on the field he was far more successful off the field. He received the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award, first team MVC Scholar-Athlete Team, Prairie Farms/MissouriValley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week (10/27), second team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-American, and first team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District VII for his work in the classroom and in the Springfield community.

2009: Melugin earned his second letter after scoring a team-high six goals while starting 18 of 19 matches played. His 31 shots taken and 13 shots on goal each ranked second on the team. In the Bears’ match against UMKC (9/5), Melugin scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 Missouri State victory. He registered his second career multi-goal match scoring twice, including the game-winner, and adding an assist in a 4-0 win over Centenary (La.) (9/16). He recorded an unassisted goal against Bradley (10/24). He tallied another unassisted goal in the 74th minute of the MVC Tournament semifinal against Evansville (11/13) to tie the match and send it into overtime. He was named to the MVC All-Tournament team for his effort. He netted to Bears’ only goal in the NCAA Tournament loss at Saint Louis (11/19). Off the field, Melugin was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete and the COSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII first teams for his success in the classroom.

2008: Melugin made the most of his first season on campus as he finished tied for second on the team in total points (8) while contributing 15 starts and appearing in all 22 of the Bears’ games. He found the net three times, including two game winners, while compiling 25 shots on the season. His first collegiate goal and game-winner came against Howard (10/3), and against Central Arkansas (10/8) he knocked in two goals, including the game winner. Melugin added two assists against Drake (10/11) and Eastern Illinois (11/12). He ended the season with 10 straight starts, including all of the Bears’ conference games in the regular season and the MVC Tournament. Melugin was honored for his outstanding performance by being named to the MVC all-freshmen team.

Background: Melugin finished his prep career at Springfield Kickapoo first in career points and assists, season points and assists, and second in career goals with 115 and goals in a season with 55 in 2007. As team captain his senior year, Melugin was named first-team all-district, all-conference, all-Ozarks, all-region, all-Midwest and all-state. He was also named district and regional MVP as he helped his team through district, conference, sectional, and quarterfinals to a third place finish. As a junior, Melugin suffered a season-ending injury at the mid-point of the season, but still managed to collect first-team all-district, all-conference, all-Ozarks, all-region and second-team all-state honors. Melugin was also a four-year member of the Missouri and Region II Olympic Development Program teams. He traveled with the Region II team to Los Angeles and Costa Rica.

Personal: Heath Philip Melugin is the son of Phil and Kimberly Melugin. He was born Jan. 9, 1990, in Wichita, Kan. He is majoring in cell and molecular biology at MSU. Melugin, who has a 3.97 cumulative GPA in cell and molecular biology, was recently accepted to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Heath Melugin at Missouri State
Year MP-MS Sh G A Pts. GW
2008 22-15 25 3 2 8 2
2009 19-18 31 6 1 13 2
2010 18-17 48 7 1 15 2
Career 59-50 104 16 4 36 6

Other recent players include

Devon Newport (Glendale) started strong at St Louis University, earning regular starts and playing time at outside midfield as a freshman and moving into an attacking midfielder role his sophomore year when he finished as one of the leading scorers for the Billikens. He played in one exhibition game for the Billikens this year and then transferred to SIUE where he is on the roster but ineligible to play. He should play a key role for the Cougars his final two years where his former Club coach, Jeremy Alumbaugh, is an assistant on the Cougars staff.

Graham Basecke (Glendale) was Newports Club teammate on two state championship teams as well as anchoring the Falcon’s defense when they finished 2nd at State three years ago. He began his career at Indiana where he red-shirted, transferred to SLU and has since left the team.

Ryan Moses (Kickapoo) was one of four Springfield SC teammates (with Newport and Basecke) who began at SLU and transferred to Missouri State this season where he has played in half of the games, starting one.

Tommy Tombridge (Kickapoo) is the fourth SSC player from the two-time State Championship squad to go D1, signing with Northwestern. As a goalkeeper, he was waiting for the established starter the last two years. This, his junior season, he has played in 3 games, starting 1 as a freshman has taken the starting position.

Max Duncan (Joplin) started 9 games and played in 16 of the 18 games the Drake Bulldogs played in 2010 as a freshman. He made the MVC All-Freshman team as well. He is no longer listed on the roster and I have heard from sources that he is once again living in Joplin and working for the family business.

Parker Maher (Joplin), who has started 7 of the 13 games Missouri State had played when I began this piece, is one of 11 players who also have over 700 minutes played this season. Maher, and his twin brother, both graduated a year early from Joplin and Parker has the tools to become one of the best if he can stay healthy.

Tyler Williams (Kickapoo) was recruited to Southern Methodist where he was rostered as a freshman but did not play to my knowledge. He is now pursuing a photography career.

There are other players who have made a significant impact at their school by finding a good fit. The photo at the top, from 2006 features Tyler Williams (1st from left), along with Melugin (2nd) and John Duncan (4th) with his brother Max (6th) following a District game at Joplin that year. John Duncan played in the NCAA Tourney twice with the WashU Bears and earned kudos from his coach as well as a great degree.

Patrick Carver (Parkview) went on to achieve All-American status two years while playing at Emory.

So what do you think? Where does Heath fit and what are your recruiting plans?

SLU Billikens Ian Newport, Ryan Moses, Devon Newport

In the NCAA Division III Men’s Tournament Loras College will host Dominican University on Saturday November 21st in the round of Sweet 16. The Duhawks are seeking their third straight NCAA Division III College Cup appearance.

On the Division III Women’s side Emily Jordan and the Concordia College Cobbers will have a Sweet 16 matchup vs. Lynchburg College out of Virginia on Saturday November 21st and the games are being held in San Antonio, TX.

Follow all of the action at www.ncaa.com and locally at www.SGFsoccer.com

This information was provided by Springfield SC

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.

Bolivar Liberators – 3
Branson Pirates – 0
Dakota Smith, Kyle Slagle and Bradley Stillwagon scored for the Liberators. Dale Baker recorded his third shutout of the season.

Catholic Fightin’ Irish – 5
West Plains Zizzers – 0

Glendale Falcons – 2
North KC Hornets – 1
Graham Basecke and Cameron Dugan each scored for the Falcons, assisted in both cases by Devon Newport. Glendale will now play in the Final of the KS-MO Challenge on Saturday against either SM East or Blue Valley North. Game time is 6:00 pm which is too early to see the Wizards vs Galaxy match at 4pm. Too bad boys…

Joplin Eagles – 9
Monett Cubs – 2

Carl Junction Bulldogs – 2
Webb City Cardinals – 1

In 1980, St. Mary’s High senior Keith Meyer was honored by Parade magazine as its high school boys player of the year. This year’s All-America team, which will be featured in the Parade Magazine in the Sunday Post-Dispatch, will include two area standouts — SLUH’s Tommy Meyer and DeSmet’s Will Bruin. Tommy, (who is) Keith’s son, was also named to the Parade team last year.

Meyer, who stands 6 feet 2 and weighs 170 pounds, will begin his collegiate career in the fall at Indiana University, his father’s alma mater. Keith Meyer, also a defender, helped the Hoosiers capture their first two national championships in 1982 and 1983.

Will Bruin (pictured in a game against DeSmet October 13th 2007), a 6-foot-2, 195-pound striker, was a two-time All-Metro selection who had 29 goals and 16 assists last fall as a senior, completing his Spartans career with 103 goals and 39 assists. He will also attend and play at IU.

They’ll be joined by Graham Basecke, Glendale Falcons/Springfield SC, in the Fall of 2009.

And who can name Springfield’s only Parade All-American soccer player?

Unlike many of the players I’ve talked to about their recruiting experience, playing college ball wasn’t necessarily on his radar screen. A bit hard to imagine with an older brother who is part of the squad at Washington University (Bryson, Kickapoo 2007) and a club team that will likely see every single player go onto to college ball, it was just a question of time for this young man. So despite carrying a 30 ACT score into the recruiting fray along with his considerable skills, it’s another reminder that goalkeepers are a special breed.

The wake up call came last year after the Springfield SC U16′s lost to the eventual regional champion Michigan Wolves in the semifinals of the Region 2 tournament. Soon after his return to Springfield he began to receive email invitations to consider attending College Camp programs from half a dozen coaches interested in introducing their program to him (NCAA rules limit the contact to that level apparently). He attended the Goalkeeper Camp at Marquette the summer of 2007 and continued his training with Springfield SC, and more importantly Jesse Miech, now GK coach at Clemson University. It wasn’t until March of this year, following the Dallas Cup, that Northwestern became part of the recruiting picture. It was there that Lenahan first saw him play, on the recommendation of the Akron Zip’s coaching staff who saw the team at the Disney Cup the previous December.

Interspersed among these Showcase opportunities, Tommy had begun identifying programs he was interested in and contacting them. He also took the ACT test. Twice! So when the opportunity arose in Dallas, he was ready. Coach Lenehan saw the first game, a 3-2 win. While that never hurts, the feedback Tombridge received later was that his academic results were a requirement before Northwestern would even talk to him. That, along with the earlier recommendation, are what brought Northwestern to his sideline among the many options available to a coach at the Dallas Cup.

NCAA rules don’t allow direct contact at that point but an invitation to visit the Northwestern campus was extended. Tommy did his overnight visit in April, when the Club team was scheduled to be in Rockford IL for MRL games. April in Chicago can be pretty darn nice (in between the snow showers that are always possible) and the Coaches, team and campus made a big impression on him.

There was still more to be done however with additional discussions continuing with programs like Wisconsin, Bradley, Missouri State and Tulsa among others. And then in April, once Coach Miech arrived on campus at Clemson, Tommy was suddenly on the radar screen for an ACC team as well.

I asked Jeremy Alumbaugh, Director of Soccer Operations at Springfield SC, about Tommy and the recruiting process. He had some very interesting things to offer:

Recruiting is an especially difficult process for goalkeepers. There are always questions. The games at Regionals as well as the Showcase events the boys qualified for this year test the entire team and allow constant evaluation. That plays an important role.

More importantly though, Tommy is a player who is focused on pushing himself to the top. I’ve worked with some excellent goalkeepers, from Matt Modersohn (MSU), Brad Guzan (2 time national champ with the Chicago Magic, now at Fulham) as well as Matt Pickens and Lance Parker. Only Guzan came close to Tommy’s work rate. He just likes to work. The individual effort he has put in has taken his game up significantly and is going to help him reach the next level.

The final decision for Tommy came down to Clemson and Northwestern. ACC or Big Ten. After attending the Northwestern camp in mid-July, he had verbal offers from both programs and a decision to make. It’s the purple of the Wildcats that we’ll be following. His decision was based upon the academic opportunities, with a major still to be determined. He’s not admitting to any need to be closer to home but that’s OK, I’ll accept that answer. The Northwestern home field has to qualify as one of the most scenic in the Midwest. That’s Ann Cook, Springfield native and assistant at Penn State, pictured at a game last Fall I covered. Lake Michigan is located a stone’s throw behind her in this photo, with the campus stretching for a significant distance along the lake.

I also have a better idea of how I’ll be spending my birthday this year. Northwestern renews their rivalry with SLU, playing at Hermann Stadium on Tuesday September 30th at 7:00 pm. They last played to a 1-1 draw in an exhibition game last August. Before that, Northwestern knocked the Billikens out in the 2nd round of the NCAA playoffs in 2006 enroute to a Quarterfinal finish.

So I’m a happy camper. I’m looking forward to watching the battles between Devon Newport and Tombridge in the future. Club teammates now, college foes soon. Now I’m off to figure out who “Explosions In The Sky” is, Tommy’s pre-game music choice. Congrats Christopher ‘Tommy’ Tombridge! UPDATE – as noted, the other Big 10 player (besides Rachel Lavoy at Purdue) will be Graham Basecke who will be playing for the Indiana Hoosiers. That’s what I get for finishing this story at 2:30 am

Got it done Sunday afternoon when I should have been outside or at least getting something productive done

PRESS RELEASE
Springfield S.C. U-17 Boys Claim Back to Back MYSA State Cup Championships

The Springfield Soccer Club 90/91 (Under 17) Boys claimed their second consecutive Missouri Youth Soccer Association State Cup Championship by defeating Lou Fusz-Popovic in penalty kicks 5-4 at the Scott Gallagher Soccer Complex in St. Louis, MO May 10th. By winning the MYSA State Cup Championship the team has earned the right to represent Missouri at the US Youth Soccer Region II Championships in Rockford, IL June 20-25, 2008. Sixteen teams will compete in pool play to determine the Regional Champion and advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-27, 2008 in North Little Rock, AR.

The MYSA Championship game was a tightly contested affair with Springfield S.C. 90/91 taking the early lead off a Ryan Moses free kick from the top of the eighteen yard box. Moses delicately bent the ball over the wall into the upper ninety of the goal. Minutes later Lou Fusz would answer to make the game even at 1-1. A thirty minute lightning delay extended the first half and the game remained tied 1-1 going into halftime. The second half saw opportunities for both teams with Springfield S.C. 90/91 having a few good looks at the goal.

Still tied at the conclusion of regular time the game went into two fifteen overtime periods. Having the better of play during overtime Springfield S.C. 90/91 was unable to find a goal. The game then went to penalty kicks where both teams made three of their five kicks, forcing the game into golden goal penalty kicks. Both teams made their first kick and Springfield S.C. 90/91 made their second attempt, while Lou Fusz missed their second one and that secured the MYSA State Cup Championship for Springfield S.C. 90/91.

Having achieved their second MYSA State Cup Championship the team is now looking forward to improving their 2007 Semi-Finalist status at Regionals. “Without a doubt this victory was a tremendous statement by the players. They have stayed committed during the past several months at it paid off today. It was a total team effort, but when it got to penalty kicks Christopher Tombridge our goalkeeper took over.” said Cory Carr Head Coach.

Team members include; Christopher Tombridge (Kickapoo), Steven Curti (Carthage), Ryan Squires (Glendale), Blake Aggus (Joplin), Tyler Bennett (Kickapoo), Ryan Partch (Glendale), Caleb Collier (Kickapoo), Matt Medley (Parkview), Ian Newport (Glendale), Devon Newport (Glendale), Grant Bollig (Lebanon), Ian Kennedy (Kickapoo), Graham Basecke (Glendale), Mason Morawitz (Hickman), Brock Ruggeri (Kickapoo), Ryan Moses (Kickapoo), Tim Griffin (Parkview), Bryce Collier (Hillcrest). The team is coached by Cory Carr and Jeremy Alumbaugh.

Devon, pictured on the left, accepted an offer from the St Louis University Billikens in late February. Graham, on the right, accepted an offer from the Indiana Hoosiers in early April. The last player from this region to play for SLU is the KC Wizards Jack Jewsbury (Kickapoo), a decade ago, while Graham is the second regional player to be accepted into a Big 10 program following Rachel Lavoy (Kickapoo 2006) who is a Purdue Boilermaker. I can’t do justice to the quality of either of these programs if you are unaware of their place in the record books. Indiana University has won 4 national titles in the past 10 years, the last in 2003 and 2004, and is the only team with multiple titles in that period. SLU has won 9 titles, more than any other program, sports an Overall Record of 652-179-80 and has made 43 NCAA Tournament Appearance, the last in 2006 when they lost to Big 10 foe Northwestern in the 2nd Round.

I sat down with the two players recently, after a game in St Louis against Pacesetter Premier (Ohio North) in the Midwest Regional League. When I arrived at halftime on that cold dreary Sunday (two weekends ago) the boys were losing 0-3, a very uncharacteristic position for them. They proceeded to take Coach Cory Carr’s words to heart (are you a player? or a poser?) and storm back to win 4-3. You can see pictures of the game here. They are currently top of the table in the U17 Red Premier Division with a 4-0-1 record and two games remaining.

The boys begin play this weekend in the Missouri State Cup where they are defending State Champions in their age group (birth year 1991/1992). A repeat title in Cup, or finishing first in their Division of the MRL, will send them to Regionals for the second straight year.

All of these facts are pertinent to the conversation I had with these young men. They have been teammates and close friends since beginning play together on the Pershing team as sixth graders. That has continued with their play for the Glendale Falcons and most importantly, the Springfield SC U17 squad. The teams success on a national level, reaching the semifinals in Region II last year, was the catalyst for exposing them to the programs. While both college programs have strong St Louis roots (Indiana Coach Mike Freitag is a CBC graduate and former All-American player for IU) and both were noticed at State Cup last year by SLU Coach Dan Donigan, it has been the opportunity to play against programs from across the country, at Disney, Dallas Cup and through the MRL, that has allowed the boys to test themselves against the best and created the opportunities that have now presented themselves.

I generally attempt to understand the process a player went through during their recruiting cycle, so that we can all learn more about the process. For these two, it has been about the game. The recruiting cycle itself was a very stressful process, a necessary requirement to achieve their stated goal at playing at the highest level possible. Both Devon and Graham have professional aspirations. As Carl Rose recently shared with me, Devon indicated that to him as a 5 year old and Carl has had nary a doubt since that it has a good chance of happening. That is what led to an early decision, with offers, coaches and programs they have confidence in. Devon will continue as an attacking midfield player and Graham as a holding or central midfield player.

While both of them have achieved personal goals with these decisions, the commitment to the team goals remain paramount. Neither of them feels they have sacrificed anything in terms of friendships, school activities or other areas despite the long hours of training and travel to compete nationally. And it stems from the fact that this is a band of brothers that should graduate every member of the team to a quality collegiate program. And reaching the Region II competition is the next step. I’ll report from St Louis next weekend (May 3-4) on their progress. In the meantime, here’s a little treat…

Pershing Generals vs Cherokee Chiefs, Oct 18 2004 from oleolson on Vimeo.

The Pershing Generals, coached by Bob Jordan, take on the Cherokee Chiefs in a mid-season game on October 18, 2004. The Pershing team features current Springfield SC teammates Devon (xx), Graham (xx), Ian Newport, Ryan Partch, Ryan Squires and xxx on Pershing as well as Ryan Moses (xx), Tyler Bennett and xx for Cherokee. You can also see Skyler Russell (#10, Cherokee)

Give me a hand folks and identify all of the players for us

Goals from Bryce Collier, assist by Graham Basecke. Direct kick goal by Devon Newport from just outside the box. Game winner from Tim Griffin, another assist from Graham Basecke.

The Strikers fought hard (7 yellows and a red card according to the report I got) in an effort to get their first win after losing to Tigres (Mexico) yesterday by a 2-4 score. Tigres also beat Orange SC Rage (CA) today. They’ll have an off day on Tuesday while Springfield SC attempts to beat Orange SC Rage.

The weather is as dicy in Dallas as it is here it appears, games may get moved. Here’s the Bracket information. Teams from Region2 include the Ft Wayne Fever who lost to FC Dallas, Tulsa SC tied DeAnza (CA) and Sockers FC Chicago tied Houstonians.