After getting a belated start on recruiting last year, Crowder College soccer coach Brad Smith had specific goals when he was recruiting players this year – he wanted to get faster.
“I thought we were slow and we were not able to score much last year,” Smith said. “I wanted to improve in those areas. We return everybody pretty much, so the goal was to find people that will help make us better and deeper.”
Crowder was 6-10-3 in its inaugural season and returns 16 players, including most of the starters.
The new group of Roughriders includes: forwards Bryce Collier of Springfield Hillcrest (pictured above signing with Coach Smith back right) and Harrisonville’s Jeremy Savage; a bunch of midfielders in Ben Ballhorn of Springfield Hillcrest (pictured in orange at right with Collier), Lebanon’s Grant Bollig, George Fuente of University High in Waco, Texas, Josh Jesperson of Neosho, Logan Landis from Carl Junction and Neosho’s Aaron Tracy.
The defenders signed include Javier Albarran of Rogers, Ark., Trevor Pedigo of Springfield Kickapoo, Neosho’s Austin Williams and Irvin Sosa of Fayetteville, Ark.
Smith noted he expects to sign a couple more players as well.
“We have kids we think are good and our speed should be better,” Smith said. “We need to figure out how to play together. We added numbers in different places and I think we should be better.”
For some background, Bryce Collier, Grant Bollig and Trevor Pedigo are teammates on the Springfield SC 90/91 team that are two-time defending state champions in Missouri. Both Collier and Bollig have played in the forward position as well as outside midfielder for SSC while Pedigo has played outside midfield and defense.
Bollig and Collier are also Southwest All-Stars for 2009. The game will be played Monday June 15th this year.
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.
After getting a belated start on recruiting last year, Crowder College soccer coach Brad Smith had specific goals when he was recruiting players this year – he wanted to get faster.
The new group of Roughriders includes: forwards Bryce Collier of Springfield Hillcrest (pictured above signing with Coach Smith back right) and Harrisonville’s Jeremy Savage; a bunch of midfielders in Ben Ballhorn of Springfield Hillcrest (pictured in orange at right with Collier), Lebanon’s Grant Bollig, George Fuente of University High in Waco, Texas, Josh Jesperson of Neosho, Logan Landis from Carl Junction and Neosho’s Aaron Tracy.
