While we contemplate the News-Leaders failure to name an All-Ozarks squad for the Boys Fall season, I’ll soldier on for the soccer community and offer my thoughts on the Top 10 achievements for 2007. As always, my goal is to recognize individual, team or groups reaching new heights, either on the pitch or within a community.
1. Jeff Rogers earns his 500th win with the Glendale Falcon’s. Quite a career with no end in sight.
2. Springfield SC U16′s win State Championship, reach the semi-finals of the Region II Tournament and qualify for Disney & the Dallas Cup. The local boys get to the next level.
3. Drury Lady Panther’s win the GLVC Tournament, earning an NCAA Bid and reaching the Final 16. The defense is led by 2nd Team All-American Jesse Sanderson, a freshman from Jefferson City. Coach Bilbao & Swan set a high standard.
4. Patrick Carver, Emory University Eagles, earns 1st Team All-American status. Parkview Vikings 2005 & Springfield SC alum, also a Demize 2007 player.
5. Nikki Llewellyn, Missouri Southern Lions, sets school records and is the most valuable college field player in the region this year. Earns 3rd Team All-Region honors.
6. Heath Melugin, Kickapoo Chiefs, earns All-Midwest recognition and is the most valuable high school player in the region this year. while leading the Chiefs to the State Final 4. He’ll play for the Missouri State Bears this Fall.
7. Brian Fishback, University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, earns 2nd Team All-Region in the Great Lakes Region. Parkview Vikings 2005 & Springfield SC alum, also a Demize 2007 player.
8. Kickapoo Chiefs boys earn 3rd Place in the Class 3 State tournament.
9. Crocker Lions and Cassville Wildcats earn 4th place in the Class 1 and Class 2 State Tournament respectively.
10. PDL Soccer returns to Springfield after a one-year layoff. The Springfield Demize feature local players with Omar Schoucair (Missouri State University) earning league recognition.
This was a difficult list to prepare as soccer, and the achievement levels, all increase. Some notable events that didn’t make the list include the Sister Cities Program, who have come back the past two years to defeat our Mexican neighbors in the annual exchange. Catholic High School added boys soccer and they made themselves known early and often in their inaugural year, including seeing Matt Libel named to the All-State team. Tom Davidson moved to Ozark HS where he’ll earn his 500th win early this Spring. The Rolla Bulldogs built a beautiful Soccer specific field, hosted the Quarterfinals and prepare to see Mike Howard earn his 500th win as well. UPDATE – as Mr Cavner noted, I missed the fact that Greenwood added Girls soccer this season and like their rivals on the South side, the started strong and made an immediate impact as well!
The SBU Bearcats went from a preseason #5 pick to reaching the inaugural MIAA Tournament final, losing 0-1 on an 87th minute goal.
Jack Jewsbury continued his strong play with the KC Wizards, helping them reach the Playoffs for the first time in three years. Matt Picken’s achieved the same as the goalkeeper for the Chicago and is now rumored as a potential European transfer? The KC Wizards almost have a stadium plan and St Louis almost has an MLS team which bodes well for 2008 Top 10 list material.
What have I missed?
You can check out the 2006 list for comparison if you like. And if you need to get the blood flowing to help with your New Year’s workout resolution, check out the News-Leaders 2007 list. Football coaches quitting and basketball teams winning local tournaments early in the season in the Top 5 and the only soccer link is Davidson changing jobs? Kickapoo’s 3rd place finish as an afterthought? Dang, I’m ready for an attack ad, it is the political season isn’t it!
