Catholic at Carthage, Harvest Moon on 1st Day of Fall

The game was a lively affair as both teams got into a running game but once Coach Joe Kofron had a chance to chat with his starters, they focused on slowing down the game and running their offense. It led to two late goals, first by freshman Ryan Randell, getting his first varsity goal from a set piece, pouncing on the 40 yard ball into the box when it fell to him. In the final minute of the first half, sr Taylor Arens stepped in front of a pass at midfield and was given too much space as he came forward, finally unleashing a shot from 25 yards that found the bottom right corner, slipping under goalkeeper Ludin Gonzalez’s diving save attempt. Two additional goals in the second provided the final margin.

View photos from the game

While a skilled team, the Tiger’s were reminded tonight what playoff soccer looks like and they will need to find a way to make better use of striker Joe Curti who had limited touches until moving back into the midfield. The Irish offense looks to be the most potent in the region, regardless of class, but Kickapoo, Glendale and possibly Nixa are all looking for post-season success and Carthage will need to begin preparing now for playoff soccer. Unless they want this to be their third straight year finishing in the Sectional game.

Carthage faces Willard on Tuesday, one of two challengers along with Joplin for the District 12 crown the Tigers hope to capture again.

Carthage, the top-ranked Class 3 program in Southwest Missouri, hosts the Irish tonight, probably the best team in the region regardless of class. This could be the bragging rights game of the season.

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 2
West Plains Zizzers – 0
The Zizzer’s visit their Class 2 District 9 foe.

Kickapoo Chiefs – 3
Ozark Tigers – 1
This game at Kickapoo is a Class 3 D11 game and a win for the Chiefs will ensure a Top 2 seed come District playoffs as they have already beaten Branson, Nixa and Parkview.

Aurora vs Cassville – Aurora

Waynesville Tigers – 1
Glendale Falcons – 2 (OT)
The Tigers fall in overtime of this Ozark Conference game.

Neosho Wildcats – 1
Republic Tigers – 2
A large school COC match up, the Tigers earn the first ever win in program history in the away game.

Nixa Eagles – 3
Webb City – 0
Nixa hosts this large school COC match up and is now 3-0 in the Conference with the win. A pair of 1st half goals by KhaiUyen Huynh, assisted by Robert Neathery and Quinton Monnig, gave the Eagles the lead. Andrew Schenck, assisted by Charlie Fenwick, got the final goal with the shutout by Mason Young. Nixa is 7-2.

Willard Tigers – 2
Carl Junction Bulldogs – 1
at Willard

Cesar Aguirre, Carthage Tigers (2012)

Check out KSPR for highlights of the Irish game and the game at Ozark

Catholic Fightin’ Irish – 4
Bolivar Liberators – 0
Catholic got on the board early when 3 minutes in Evan Craig scored off a pass from Mitchell Moncada. At 21 minutes, Reid Harbach was able to head in a corner kick from Luke Straus.

In the second half, Adam Entrup was able to finish off a pass from Evan Craig. Freshman Dallas Moses scored his first goal of the year at 60 minutes off a pass from Evan Craig. Catholic continued to control the ball but did not add to their score ending the game with the 4-0 win.

Republic Tigers – 0
Willard Tigers – 5
Goals were scored by Jackson Patillo (3), Rodgers and Bristow

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 0
Marshfield Blue Jays – 3
The Jay’s got a hat trick by Colton Harden (13th – free kick), (65th – Joseph Huber), (78th – Ryan Doolittle) for the win. It was the second consecutive shutout for Marshfield defense.

Evan Craig, Catholic breaks into the box in front of Nick Hogan, Greenwood

The game continued in an attractive attacking mode for both teams although Catholic’s pressure was beginning to take it’s toll. In the 25th, Evan Craig (pictured) won a foot race in the left corner and turned into the box where he slipped his square ball across the face of the six yard box. Thieme went horizontal but only succeeded in knocking it down where Riley Harbach was happy to tap the loose ball into the net at the far post.

This Greenwood team is goal driven and they responded very well. A move into the offensive third led to a throw-in and Nick Hogan delivered a ball into the six yard box that Cory McCoy drove into the net, bringing the Jays back within one only a minute later.

The second half was not as kind to the Jays, already missing a pair of starters due to early season injuries, and Catholic took advantage of their depth to control possession and extend their lead in the 57th minute. Nick Kofron sent a 35 yard ball into the box from a set piece. Craig was sitting near the far post and redirected the ball into the net to score the final goal.

================ earlier report ========== game photos below ==============
The Jays, like many teams, are still attempting to identify a reliable scoring option although if they start looking for Devon Whitlock more consistently, I think they would have more success in that category. A 2-1 win over Bolivar two weeks ago is the highlight and they played Carthage close, losing 0-1 in OT.

Catholic has set some high standards this season, traveling to KC twice where they lost to Rockhurst (#1 Class 3 in KC) and narrowly to Pembroke Hill. Since then, 3 games with 3 wins and a 20-1 scoring advantage points to the need for a solid defensive strategy by Greenwood.

MO 1993 ODP Boys soccer pool

Working with Springfield SC, there were two games played today. The first game featured players who have registered to be part of the ODP program but had not yet been evaluated. Their game was played against the U17 Boys team from Springfield SC. The second game featured boys who have been part of the ODP program in the past and they played against a team of U18 and older boys from SSC. These are the boys featured in the photo and include three regional players – Luke Strauss (Catholic/Springfield SC), Jackson Patillo (Willard/Springfield SC) and Taylor Arens (Catholic/Springfield SC).

Following the games, I asked Coach Rosslein to give me some feedback on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) in Missouri. Summarizing his comments in the video below, the ODP program offers boys from Missouri an alternative to the time and expense of the USSF Academy Program, which is also limited to Kansas City and St Louis, while exposing them to additional competitive opportunities and college programs. Today’s event was scouted by both Michael Seabolt from Missouri State and Ryan Swan from Drury University and Coach Rosselein emphasized his efforts to partner with the Club coaches he draws his team from AND the college coaches in the region that have an interest in players capable of playing at this level. A final note – the Pool is approximately 50 players who are invited to participate based upon availability and interest, while the final roster of 18 with 6 alternates is chosen in June following State Cup. These players advance to represent the state in the Region II ODP tournament and potentially represent the region. An example of that are when Austin Hart (Glendale/Springfield SC) and Reid Harbach (Catholic/Springfield SC) played for Region II at the Super Regionals in December.

Catholic Fightin’ Irish – 1
Waynesville Tigers – 0
In a game that could have gone either way, the result hinged on a few key plays. The goal was scored by junior Justin Bowenschulte in the 48th minute, as he took Adam Entrup’s square ball from the right side before side-stepping a defender and slotting his shot to the far post. Add sophomore goalkeeper Levi Millsap’s diving save of a shot in the 64th minute that seemed destined for the back of the net, and the difference in the result was found in those few seconds.

The differences between the two teams are significant. Catholic started a lone senior (Cullen Barr) along with a pair of juniors, six sophomores and a freshman central midfielder (Luke Strauss) while Waynesville has 4 seniors, 6 juniors and a lone sophomore (Gehrig Haberstock) starting. Despite these differences, both teams have to feel confident about their opportunities at the District level this year. Waynesville will battle Rolla and Camdenton for supremacy in Class 3 District 10 while Catholic is looking towards New Covenant and Greenwood in Class 1 District 6. I’ll be certain to keep you up-to-date on the progress both teams are certain to make towards there common goal. UPDATE – as Pat Taggart notes, Reid Harbach is a freshman and I missed him in my initial count that only had ten total. The Catholic flyer has Dahlberg listed as a sophomore. So 1, 2, 6, 2 is my current count

That’s Catholic’s midfield general, sophomore Taylor Arens, winning the head ball in front of junior Ben Moore.

Willard Tigers – 5
Central Bulldogs – 0
The Bulldogs continue to impress as they worked hard the entire 80 minutes. The Tiger’s were unable to open it up like last year’s game but they have the team speed that allowed them to get down the wings, creating opportunities in the box they were able to capitalize on. Junior Tyler Sevon was the primary recipient, scoring the first three on assists by seniors Parlie Shikany (2) and Marian Lup. Lup and Jonah Nadeau also scored, Josh Lindsey with the shutout and 11 saves against the Bulldogs. Shikany is pictured turning the corner.

New Covenant Warriors – 3
Aurora Houn Dawgs – 0

Bolivar Liberators – 4
Warrensburg Tigers – 2
Kyle “Toad” Slagle scored on a PK in the second half to give the Liberators a 2-1 lead that they never relinquished in the battle with their former district foe. The Tigers came into the game undefeated (6-0). Goals by Bradley Stillwagon (2) and Matt Magana.

Linn Wildcats – 2
Crocker Lions – 0
The Wildcats held on to the home field advantage in shutting out their District opponent Southern neighbor tonight.

Marshfield Blue Jays – 4
Branson Pirates – 2
Koda Sorenson tallied both goals for the Pirates who continue to develop as a team.

Monett Cubs – 3
Carl Junction Bulldogs – 2

Nixa Eagles – 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 0
Goals scored by Kaleb Romero and KhaiUyen Huynh, both assists went to Tyler Bartell. Marcus Fernandes got the shutout in goal.

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