Tillie Bill, Southern Boone Co Eagles (2010)
Player of the Year – Tillie Bill, Southern Boone
Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Shelby Hatz and Natalie Smid, Springfield Catholic
Co-Defensive Players of the Year – Carsen Baron and Rebecca Mayus, Springfield Catholic
Co-Goalkeepers of the Year – Rachel Scott and Megan Goetzinger, Springfield Catholic
Head Coach Ben Timson and I took some time after the celebrations on Saturday to discuss his title-winning squad and its traditions. It’s a history that stretches back to 1998, very early in Southwest Missouri annals although not the first. I believe that belongs to the Rolla Bulldogs who first kicked off in 1996.
The photo features the Fitzgerald and Renner families who have contributed 7 players over an 11 year period to the program, culminating in Erin Fitzgerald and Veronica “Ronnie” Renner bringing home the title. It’s just one example that continues when you discuss names like Bailes, Dahlberg, Skahan and many more.
Front row, L to R: unidentified with child, Shannon F (2005), Katherine F (2002), Erin F (2010), Hannah R (2007), Maddy R (2009), Ronnie (2010)
Back row, L to R: Mr Fitzgerald, Mr & Mrs Renner
Apologies if I got any of it wrong, leave corrections in the comments and I’ll update it 
#3 McAuley Warriors – 4
#2 Greenwood Blue Jays – 3
In a game that mirrors the regular season match up between these two schools, it was McAuley that storms back from a 3-1 deficit to first tie, and finally win the match this evening. A replica of Greenwood’s results at McAuley in late April. Greenwood set the tone early when Maddie Esther buried a shot from 35 yards out in the 3rd minute of the match. Midway through the half, freshman Sara Cook got through the defense and scored to push the Jay’s ahead as they put together a beautiful game for the first 30 minutes tonight. Ball movement, team defense, it was all there but slowly the Warriors clawed their way back into the game. The first goal was scored in stoppage time in the first half and came from senior Jae Stephens as the Warriors fought to keep the ball in the offensive end following a corner kick and Jae put a loose ball into the roof of the net.
The Jay’s came out strong again in the 2nd half, extending their lead to 2 yet again when Mariah Allai received a pass on the left side of the box and slid her shot to the far post in the 47th minute. There was plenty of action for both teams in the remaining 30 minutes but the momentum, and the win, went to the upstarts. The Warriors got their 2nd goal in the 53rd minute when senior Arielle Santillan finally broke free of the Jay’s tough defense and her shot as she entered the box went just inside the right upright. The Jay’s still had a one goal lead and midway through the half were awarded a PK for a push in the box. Sarah Onstot was able to dive to her right and push the PK wide of the net however and you could begin to sense that maybe things might not go Greenwood’s way. When Santillan got past the defense and knocked her shot in off the right upright in the 68th minute, the tension was palable. It was the Warrior’s who responded to the situation as their team of 13 did not quit. When they earned a corner kick in the final three minutes, it was the third shot that did in the Jays as sophomore Samantha Graham was able to corral an attempted clearance and push it back into the box where senor Erin O’Keefe was able to react to the ball and lift it into the roof of the net above the charging keeper.
Quite a game and a testament to the effort and teamwork that McAuley was able to display. For Greenwood, a difficult lesson made all the more harsh by the quality of play they showed in the first third of the game.
For Newcomers to my website, if you click on any photo you will be taken to the photo hosting site I use for sharing my photos with the community. The address is www.flickr.com/photos/sgfsoccer and you can find an Album (or Set) of your favorite team. Or check the Archive and search by the date the game was played. I also have a site where you can purchase the original high resolution photos, as prints or on calendars, costers, tshirts, you name it. I’m having some internet issues with AT&T right now so it may take a day or two before all of the photos are uploaded. Use the link in the top right (Buy Photos) to revisit and find an album of your favorite team.
#1 Springfield Catholic – 10
#4 Laquey Hornets – 0
Natalie Smid, Anna Delong and Andrea Parker scored two goals each while Maddy Renner, Ronnie Renner, Erin FitzGerald and Bekab Bade each added a goal. Emily Kessler, Shelby Hatz, and Natalie Smid each had two assists. Emily Ortega and Maddy Renner each had one assist. Rachel Scott and Megan Goetzinger combined for the shutout in goal in the 64 minute match.
The final between McAuley and Catholic will be Thursday at 6pm at Pleasant Hope HS.
Waynesville Tigers – 4
Springfield Catholic – 2 3
It was an offensive battle at the Irish field Tuesday evening with all of the goals, save one, scored in the first half. Catholic’s dynamic freshman forward Shelby Hatz, assisted by Rachel Herron, gave the home team their only advantage on the evening in the 7th minute. Katie Pritchard, assisted by Erica Combs, tied the game after hitting the upright twice prior. In the final 15 minutes of the half, Natascha Lord scored when she buried her second chance, after Rachel Scott some how parried her initial blast. Carsen Baron, working hard on the right side, made the needed run to be in position at the far post when Hatz put a square ball across the face of the goal. Pritchard got the game winner in stoppage time however when she won a 50/50 ball outside the box. Her quick shot slipped inside the near upright and Tigers went to half time with the lead.
The second half saw Catholic put significant pressure on the Tigers, with the best opportunity coming in the 65th minute, only to see Crystal Hutchinson get her fingers on the shot from the right side, tipping the ball up and off the crossbar. The Tigers put the game away on a late corner kick, Lord putting one of her fine balls to the far post where midfielder Erica Combs rose to meet it (pictured). The Irish got within one in stoppage time when Natalie Smid put away the rebound of a shot deflected by Hutchinson on Maddy Renner’s cross. Renner was tireless Tuesday night, making run after run into the offensive end from her midfield position, with balls from Parker, Bailes, Smid and her sister Ronnie offering a regular attacking option.
Congratulations to Katie Pritchard on setting the Class 2 state record with her 168th and 169th career goals.
Photo Slideshow from the game Photos will follow tomorrow afternoon, I’ve got a business meeting in the morning I’m still preparing for.
Helias Crusaders – 3
Rolla Bulldogs – 2
Trailing 3-1 for most of the second half, RHS got a goal from sophomore Olivia Cox with 12 minutes to play and then pressured Helias for most of the time thereafter (via the Rolla Daily News)
Glendale Falcons – 5
Camdenton Lakers – 1.
Falcon’s get goals from Lorin Opfer, Katie Brewer, Emily Jordan, Jeni Frewin and Emily Cline. Megan Manzer scored for Camdenton.
Bolivar Liberators – 2
Marshfield Jays – 0
Freshman Jonna Welch scored a goal in each half for the Liberators.
Parkview Vikings – 2
Joplin Eagles – 1
Shelby Stewart got a pair for the Vikings, one in each half, bracketing Rachel Lazenby’s goal for Joplin.
Stewart’s game winner came in OT.
Ozark Tigers – 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 0
The Tigers got their x shutout of the season on the strength of goals by Alicia Collard and Megan Gunnels.
Willard Tigers – 1 (PKs)
Nixa Eagles – 0
The Tigers nipped the Eagles in a penalty kick shootout, 3-1
Greenwood Blue Jays – 2 (OT)
McAuley Warriors – 1
Maddie Esther, assisted by Shaylyn Boyle, scored in the second half to give the Jays the initial lead. The Warriors Sam Graham scored to tie the game with the Jay’s getting the OT golden goal from Liza Salisbury.
Springfield Catholic – 2 (PK’s)
Glendale Falcons – 1
In one of the most competitive and entertaining games of this season, the Southeast side rivals went toe-to-toe this evening in a classic battle. With the wind at their backs to start the game, Catholic applied plenty of pressure and had the first real opportunity when freshman Shelby Hatz was sent in on goal on a nice simple header by Anna Delong. Senior Rachel Duckworth reacted quickly and was able to deflect the shot
. She would be called on again to backstop her teammates as Delong broke in alone. Catholic had a series of set pieces and corner kicks late in the half but were unable to score.
The Falcon’s finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, scoring on a header by Lorin Opfer from a corner kick by Emilee Williams. It was classic Opfer, as she went up in the middle of a crowd to find the ball. It came after a period of sustained pressure at the start of the second half, including Emily Cline’s breakaway in the 4th minute of the half, broken up by freshman Rachel Scott (pictured above) and cleared from behind her by defender Rachel Herron. It was beginning to appear that the wind and the pace would conspire to tire out the Irish. It’s a regular model for the Falcon’s as their 15 player rotation offers depth and speed that is not matched by many teams in the region.
There is no quit in the Irish however, and it was the fourth breakaway of the game when they finally broke through, as Shelby Hatz unleashed her shot from 12 yards out and to the far post on her third opportunity of the day, and out of Duckworth’s range this time. That is the real story line of this game – senior Rachel Duckworth of the Glendale Falcon’s can no longer be considered a rookie goaltender after the display she put on this evening, including two late saves requiring her to go horizontal to push shots wide. For the Irish, freshman Rachel Scott matched the result with her saves on shots inside the box in the final OT period in addition to her earlier work.
The resulting tie led to PK’s. Catholic shooters Anne Prenger, Ronnie Renner and Tara Bailes scored while the Falcons Cline, Opfer and Katie Brewer matched them in the initial round of five. In sudden death, GK Rachel Scott scored as did junior Maddy Renner while Maggie Schrier for the Falcons also scored. Advantage Irish 5-4 after seven rounds.
Now is as good a time as any to introduce you to my new photo website as well. In an effort to cover expenses (time, gas, my supplies) I’ve set up a site that offers printing services. Click on the Slide Show link and you’ll be taken to the site. You can see full resolution photos and order a wide variety of photo products featuring your favorite players by your favorite soccer journalist. Your support, via purchase of photos, will be greatly appreciated.
I’ll continue to provide low resolution photos on the Flickr website which your team is welcome to use on your website to promote the team. Please provide attribution if you do use them and remember, non-commercial use only. I’ve also been uploading photos to my Facebook page so reach out and friend me if you want me to tag you and save you the hassles of downloading the Flickr photos. Questions?
