Tag Archives: Samantha Aguilar

Samantha Aguilar Earns Missouri State Bears Outstanding Female Athlete Award

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Missouri State Bears, Samantha Aguilar

SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State’s final set of year-end honors were announced today (June 14) with the awarding of the 2009-10 Outstanding Female Athlete Award and the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Senior Female Scholar-Athlete Award.

Soccer sensation Samantha Aguilar (Lenexa, Kan.) was awarded the Outstanding Female Athlete Award, as voted on by Missouri State’s nine women’s head coaches. She is the first soccer player to ever receive the award, which dates back to 1981.

Aguilar was named Missouri Valley Conference player of the year in 2009 after leading the Bears in scoring for the second straight season with five goals and 12 total points. She helped Missouri State to an MVC runner-up finish in the regular season and 12-5-2 overall finish, while earning First-Team All-MVC, MVC All-Tournament, MVC Scholar-Athlete and NSCAA All-Midwest Region honors.

The senior midfielder was named as the MVC Freshman of the Year in 2006 and was a two-time all-conference pick for the Bears. She finished her Missouri State career with 15 goals and 39 points in 78 games and ranked in the top six in four MSU career statistical categories.

Other finalists for the 2009-10 award were basketball sensation Casey Garrison (So., Bolivar, Mo.), cross country and track standout Terry Phillips (So., Kansas City, Mo.), volleyball defensive specialist Cara Hackmann (Jr., Washington, Mo.), swimmer Chelsea Dirks-Ham (Jr., Lawrence, Kan.), softball slugger Jenna Schwark (Jr., Broken Arrow, Okla.), and field hockey senior Melissa Lantz (Sr., Wildwood, Mo.).

I did a three-part video interview with Samantha prior to the last home game last Fall. You can see Part One and Part Two and Part Three, where we discuss her prep career and reasons for coming to Missouri State, her experiences here with her teammates and finally, her future plans (pro?)

Missouri State Bears Soccer Programs Recognized By Student Peers

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MSU Women's Soccer Team

MSU Women's Soccer Team by MSU Photo Services

SPRINGFIELD — The Missouri State women’s soccer team took home the top prize of the night, and 25 individual student-athletes were recognized as part of ceremonies Monday (May 3) at the inaugural Bears’ All-Sports Showcase at JQH Arena.

Coach Rob Brewer’s women’s soccer squad was the top point collector in the first Bear Cup team competition for student development, academic achievement, athletic excellence, career development, and community outreach. The women’s volleyball and women’s swimming and diving programs were also finalists for the award.

MSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) served as the presenters for the evening and also took the lead in the nomination and selection process for the event.

Women’s basketball standout Casey Garrison (So., Bolivar, Mo.) was awarded the first-ever Mary Jo Wynn Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award, while men’s soccer goal keeper Alex Riggs Jr., (St. Peters, Mo.) was selected as the first recipient of the Bill Rowe Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Both awards were selected by student-athlete peers among Missouri State’s 16 intercollegiate athletic programs.

The Senior Student-Athletes of the Year were presented to Clay Harbor (Sr., Dwight, Ill.) from the football team, and women’s soccer performer Samantha Aguilar (Sr., Lenexa, Kan.). The Junior Student-Athletes of the Year were volleyball sensation Cara Hackmann (Jr., Washington, Mo.) and football transfer Antoine Wilkinson (Jr., Magnolia, Miss.).

Sophomore Student-Athlete of the Year awards went to Kyle Weems (So., Topeka, Kan.) from men’s basketball and Terry Phillips (So., Kansas City, Mo.) from women’s cross country and track. The first recipients of the Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year awards were Francesco Capone (Fr., Vaughan, Ont., Canada) from men’s soccer and Christiana Shorter (Fr., Tulsa, Okla.) from women’s basketball.

The individual team most valuable players were also named, as voted on by team members. The men’s team MVPs were awarded to: Brayden Drake (baseball, Webb City, Mo.), Kyle Weems (men’s basketball, So., Topeka, Kan.), Clay Harbor (football., Sr., Dwight, Ill.), Jay McBride (golf, Sr., Lebanon, Mo.), Alex Riggs (soccer, Jr., St. Peters, Mo.), and Nick Carter (swimming, Fr., Rogers, Ark.).

Women’s team MVPs were Casey Garrison (women’s basketball, So., Bolivar, Mo.), Terry Phillips (cross country, So., Kansas City, Mo.), Melissa Lantz (field hockey, Sr., Wildwood, Mo.), Kelsey Welber (golf, So., Plano, Texas), Samantha Aguilar (soccer, Sr., Lenexa, Kan.), Jenna Schwark (Jr., Broken Arrow, Okla.), Chelsea Dirks-Ham (swimming, Jr., Lawrence, Kan.), Mareneika Goffe (indoor/outdoor track and field, Sr., Montego Bay, Jamaica), and Cara Hackmann (volleyball, Jr., Washington, Mo.).

The Highest Team GPA Award went to Greg Hipp’s women’s cross country squad after it compiled a 3.81 grade point average for the fall 2009 semester.

The Best Team Upset Award was given to Melissa Stokes’ volleyball squad for its Sept. 25, 2009 win over No. 20 Wichita State at Hammons Student Center. The five-set victory snapped a streak of 36 straight conference victories and 38 straight road conference victories for the Shockers.

Approximately 400 student-athletes, coaches, staff and athletics personnel attended the event which was preceded by a reception to honor the program’s senior student-athletes.

Missouri State Bears And Missouri Southern Lions Close Spring Season

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The women were on the turf this evening at Plaster Stadium, getting in the final game of the Spring season between storms today. The Bears won 3-1 as both teams were working with depleted rosters due to injuries and graduation. I’ve got a few videos, including the one below featuring Christine Cross getting into the box down the right side and putting her shot to the far side netting. Enjoy!

Late game save by Missouri Southern keeper, Shannon Kuhn

Missouri State’s Samantha Aguilar hits one just over the crossbar

Kansas Jayhawks Defeat Missouri State Bears

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Missouri State Bears host Kansas Jayhawks
Missouri State Bears – 1
Kansas Jayhawks – 4
If you’re paying attention at home, you’re probably confused right about now. The headline points to a Bears loss, but the photo shows the home team in white celebrating a goal. What gives?

I can be a harsh critic, and it’s especially difficult to restrain myself when I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness when it comes to covering the college game in the region. Not reprinting press releases from the office of the college SID, but getting out and evaluating programs and players. I’m not an expert, although having this soap box will often give you the impression that I might be. I do pride myself on having informed discussions with the coaches about their players and the programs however. Played the game, coached the game, managed teams and leagues. But my white hair also means I understand there will be differences of opinion.

I really enjoyed tonight’s game. The Bear’s gave up 3 goals in the 1st half, the first on a mistake by goalie Jackie Jasper (the 2nd one in 4 years darn it), the next two a pair of beautiful goals you expect a Top 20 program to score. The thing is, the Bears played with heart. They came back and scored a goal late in the 1st half. They won’t accomplish anything this year unless they are getting dirty and going down in collisions regularly. Accomplished.

More importantly, they showed the ability to learn and respond. The second half was one of the more entertaining games I have enjoyed, and I want to see more.

It started from the back as Kellie Jensen and Jordan Reppell apparently determined they could get to every pass in their area of responsibility. That attitude took hold throughout the lineup and every ball was contested. The other thing I noticed is that this team is beginning to understand where their teammates are going to be. Runs were made in anticipation, off of the ball, and it opened up opportunities for Samantha Aguilar, Allie Osmundson and the other 7 midfielders to make plays. Once they did that, KU no longer was able to run at them with ease and it became a more balanced game.

Not one the Bears are necessarily going to win but when coaches talk about playing the tough games now in order to be prepared for the post-season, this is the game they are talking about. It’s something I want to see more of, and it’s something you should show your daughters and your sons.

As a final note, the Bears were apparently sorely disappointed with themselves and their play after this game was over. I measure that by the extended team conversation held post-game, and the conversations I had after wards. I’m glad they want more. So do I. In November in particular.

PHOTOS
As usual, free low-resolution photos for download and personal use are available on my Flickr site. Purchase of higher resolution photos in any format you might like are available on my SmugMug site. If you have a Facebook profile, you can find many of the photos on my Facebook page.

Instructions for downloading photos the free low-resolution photos are available by following this link – How To

Friday’s College Report

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bearhead_125.jpgMissouri State Bears – 1
SEMO Redhawks – 0
This is a very good result for the Bears, getting the win on a 50th minute goal from their midfield general, sophomore Samantha Aguilar. Sophomore midfielder Christine Cross earned the assist as she led Aguilar with a pass that resulted in a goal in the bottom left corner of the net. Tara Bailes (Catholic 2008) once again played significant minutes in midfield.

The Redhawks posted a 12-3-4 record last season while capturing their second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. It looks like they were missing a key player, Casey Kraft (St. Louis, Mo./Nerinx Hall) who does not show up in the box score but is expected to lead their offense this season. UPDATE – Southeast suffered a bad break before the game when senior standout Casey Kraft rolled an ankle in warmups. She did not play, but Nelson doesn’t believe the injury is serious.

The Bears will host Tulsa at home on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm

Missouri Southern LionsMissouri Southern Lions – 2 (2 OT)
Abilene Christian – 1
The Lions gave up a goal in the 47th minute to create a 1-0 deficit, only to see their senior leader Nikki Llewellyn tie the game in the 88th minute and get the game winner in the 105th minute to earn the win in their home opener. Megan Dimza assisted on the first goal, Shannon Kuhn on the second. UPDATE – They were the 39th and 40th goals of Llewellyn’s career.

Sophomore Lindsay Altman (Joplin 2007) and freshman Brianna McKenzie (Webb City) both earned minutes in the match, with McKenzie getting 1 shot off from her midfield position.

Missouri Southern Lions – 1
Texas A&M International – 2 (OT)
The Lions took the initial lead in the game, getting a goal from freshman Kevin Aubuchon, assisted by sophomore Nate Evans (Cassville 2007) in the 76th minute. The home team tied it on a 30 yard free kick from right wing in the 85th and got the game-winner 5 minutes into OT from a cross into the box. Stuart Ziegler (West Plains 2008) and Jesse Clevenger (College Heights 2006) both started for the Lions.

Miners Logo headMissouri S&T Miners – 3
Ashland Eagles – 1
Brooke Ryan and freshman Melissa Young scored second half goals for the Lady Miners, who won a season opening contest for the first time since beating Winona State to start the 2003 campaign.

Missouri S&T Miners – 3
Ashland Eagles – 4
S&T tied the score again at the 62:08 mark when Mario Calderon redirected a ball from Brandon Moore (Rolla 2005) past goalkeeper Ryan Cruise to knot the score at three. But moments later, the Miners were whistled for a foul in the penalty area and Tom Mangotic made the penalty kick for what turned out to be the Eagles decisive goal.

Missouri State Bears Offense Heats Up, Shuts Out Trojans

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Missouri State Bears Shut Out Arkansas-Little Rock TrojansWith a pair of goals in a seven minute period this afternoon, the Bears got the game-winner courtesy of a pair of freshman and sealed the win from a pair expected to lead the Bears this season.

The game-winner was scored by Kelsey Finders (pictured) in the 42nd minute when freshman Jennifer Hamlin sent a through ball from the left side. The ball, and the defenders difficulty keeping pace with Finders, pulled the goalkeeper out of the box. Finders won the head ball, and the foot race to the loose ball, allowing her to bury her shot into an empty net.

Coming out strong in the 2nd half with the wind at their backs, the Bears kept the pressure on. If the Bears are to achieve their offensive goals this season, the template for success was displayed with the 2nd goal. Recovering from an early attack by the Trojan’s Grace Rich, Aguilar started the play from the center circle, with a ball to the left side that was then sent forward to an overlapping Meghan Cassady. Cassady’s cross into the box was met by an on-rushing Aguilar, burying the ball into the roof of the net at the far post 4 minutes into the second half.

It was not a simple, nor easy win, as the Trojans controlled play for much of the first 25 minutes. The shift could only begin once the Bears took responsibility for the ball, and freshman Tara Bailes brought some much needed attitude to the effort when she came in around that time. Soccer can be a very simple game and it was Baile’s willingness to battle for and win the goal kicks being sent to midfield by Jackie Jasper that laid the foundation. Once they began holding onto the ball, the Bears began to dictate play.

The second step was to cut off the outlet pass to the weak side, something Arkansas utilized all evening Friday. As the Bears began to press the attack, the Trojan’s were forced to go inside in an attempt to equalize while losing an important pressure relief valve. The Bears appear to have the speed and depth on the bench this year to regularly 5-7 deep, which should allow them to continue this effort. The key will be making the runs off the ball that create the opportunities that Cassady created by going forward, a responsibility every member of the team will have.

As usual, free low-resolution photos for download and personal use are available on my Flickr site. Purchase of higher resolution photos in any format you might like are available on my SmugMug site. If you have a Facebook profile, you can find the photos on my Facebook page.

Missouri State Women’s Soccer Hosts Arkansas Friday

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The ladies open their season Friday and it’s against SEC foe Arkansas. The Bears beat Arkansas 3-2 in 2006 (at Cooper) while they suffered a 0-1 OT loss at Fayetteville last year en route to a 6-11-2 record. The Razorbacks finished at 8-11-1 although only one of the wins came against SEC opponents. So both teams will be looking to getting their season off to a good start.

Arkansas gets their leading scorer back from injury. Kelly O’Connor was last seen playing in the Kickapoo Shootout for Bentonville, before moving down the road to Arkansas. Despite only playing in 12 games, she finished with 6 goals and 15 points. She’ll be up top, keep an eye on her.

The Bears know how to play defense, and have Preseason MVC Goalie pick Jackie Jasper leading the way. Jasper led the league last year in goals-against-average (0.81) and recorded 76 saves in 19 matches. She’s joined by Midfielders Samantha Aguilar and Allison Osmundson on the MVC Preseason Team. Aguilar was an honorable mention selection in 2007 as she recorded one goal and one assist on the season. Osmundson tallied two goals and one assist in 2007 and was placed on the MVC All-Conference first-team and the Valley Tournament Team.

Sophomore defender Jordan Reppell, and former club teammate of Tara Bailes (Catholic) earned a spot on the 2008 MVC honorable mention squad. Expect to see Bailes on the pitch as well.

PS – Come to Coester’s afterwards for Nigeria vs Argentina, Olympic Gold beginning at 10:00 pm