Tag Archives: Springfield Catholic

Springfield Catholic Capture First State Title

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Catholic-state-champs-2011

First year coach Tom Guinn didn’t know what to expect when he took the job as head coach of the boys soccer team at Springfield Catholic. He had never even seen them play. Guinn knew about the team’s recent success but he was told the Irish had lost quite a few seniors and he would have his work cut out for him.

“Going into it I knew the expectations were going to be high,” Guinn said. I knew people were expecting us to win but I didn’t know what kind of talent we were going to have. I would say within the first week or so I knew that this team was going to be good.”

Guinn’s gut feeling turned out to be a little off, the Springfield Catholic boys soccer team was a lot better than good. On Sunday, they capped an undefeated 29-0-1 season with a Class 1 State Championship by beating Pembroke Hill (KC) 1-0 in Blue Springs.

The state title was the first by a boys’ soccer team in Southwest Missouri and it was a long time coming for the Irish. Though this is only the fifth year of the boys’ soccer program at Springfield Catholic, the team has seen its share of heartbreak. After finishing third in 2008, the Irish were beaten in the state championship game the next two seasons.

Senior midfielder Luke Straus started in every Irish state tournament game. He said it was a huge relief for the team to finally break through this season.

“My freshman year was the first time we ever went to state so honestly I was pretty happy with third and just going to state,” Straus said. “The last two years have been pretty painful because we knew we were the better team.”

Last season, the Irish entered the state championship game as heavy favorites against a Whitfield team they had beaten 3-0 in the regular season only to be shutout 1-0. Things had an eerie feel as the Irish stepped onto the pitch Sunday against a Pembroke Hill team they had dominated in October.

“It was déjà vu all over again for us this year because we played Pembroke Hill in the regular season and beat them 3-0 and then we see them in the finals and we have a chance to exorcise our demons,” Guinn said. “I told the guys to realize that this isn’t a regular season game this is a state title game, it’s completely different and they need to come out and get things done.”

During the regular season, there were only three games that the Irish did not win by at least three goals (the tie came against Ft. Zumwalt West in the Gateway City Classic) but, like coach Guinn said, everything is different in the state title game.

Pembroke Hill hung right with the Irish, but in the end the better team found a way as junior forward Mitch Moncada’s header landed in the back of the net and the Irish were finally state champs.

To make sure that sure that they did not wear down at the end of the year, the Irish made conditioning a big part of their training. Senior defender Reid Harbach said that the team’s goal was to out-work everybody else.

“We like to keep a high level of practice all the time,” Harbach said. “We work hard during sprints and everything to make sure we’re more fit than the other teams because it makes a huge difference in the end.”

Coach Guinn said that a combination of great leadership from his five seniors and the team’s strong work ethic were what put the Irish over the top. He said that from the first day of practice, the Irish were fiercely intent on winning the title and going undefeated and being the first Springfield area team to do so were just icing on the cake.

“I think it does mean a lot now that we’ve done it,” Guinn said. “It does mean a lot to the Springfield community. It puts Springfield soccer on the map.”

Next season, coach Guinn and everyone else should have a pretty good idea of what the Springfield Catholic team is capable of. Now that they’ve gotten over the hump, good luck getting them back down.

This story was written by Harrison Keegan who previously covered Sporting KC on this website. He is a Missouri State student who covers sports for the Missouri State Standard and has also worked for TAGSGF.com.

MITCH MONCADA’S GAME WINNER AGAINST PEMBROKE HILL

Thomas Guinn Hired To Coach Springfield Catholic Boys

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Thomas Guinn, Liberty Mt View Eagles (2011)

Thomas Guinn, Liberty Mt View Eagles (2011)

Thomas Guinn, Head Coach of the Mt View Liberty Eagles girls teams the past two seasons, has been named Head Coach for the Springfield Catholic boys team.

Guinn is a graduate of Fontbonne University where he played for the D3 Griffins, winning the St Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament his final two season (2003-2004).

He’ll take over the Boys program that enters it’s fifth year and is coming off a 2nd place finish at State last year. Thanks to Jeannie Cox for providing the photo of Coach Guinn.

Missouri Girls High School Soccer Coaches Poll

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Ashlee Rightnowar, Rolla Bulldogs (2011)

Ashlee Rightnowar, Rolla Bulldogs (2011)

The first poll of the season is out. Let’s take a look…

In Class 1, Springfield Catholic is firmly at the top of the initial poll with 9 first place votes. Greenwood finished just outside the Top 10 as well.

In Class 2, Harrisonville received votes. The Wildcats are defending District champions and will fight Warrensburg and Bolivar in District 12 this year. #10 Westminister is in town this weekend to face Glendale tonight and Catholic tomorrow.

In Class 3, Nixa opens the year ranked #12, with Jackson (Cape) at #13, Glendale at #15 and Rolla right behind the Falcon’s. There are a pair of KC teams are at the top and there are six STL teams and five KC teams in the Top 11. It’s going to be a good year at the Final 4 I think…

GIRLS SOCCER POLL (4-8-11)

Class 3
Rank Team Points
1 Liberty (2) 81
2 Lee’s Summit North (1) 80
3 St. Joe’s Academy (2) 78
4 Incarnate Word (1) 76
5 Ursuline 64
6 Eureka 57
7 Lee’s Summit West 45
8 Rockwood Summit 41
9 Park Hill South 37
10 Ft. Zumwalt West 34
11 St. Teresa’s 29
12 Nixa 27
13 Jackson 18
14 Oakville 14
15 Glendale 8
Others: Rolla 7, Howell North 6, Lee’s Summit 5, Rock Bridge 5, Cor Jesu 5, Kearney 2, Howell 1

Class 2
Rank Team Points
1 Visitation (3) 61
2 St. Dominic 57
3 Notre Dame de Sion (2) 55
4 St. Charles West (1) 47
5 Notre Dame STL 46
6 Platte County 29
7 Smithville 22
7 Duchesne 22
9 Moberly 15
10 Westminster 12
Others:  Clayton 7, Liberty North 7, Harrisonville 4, Trinity 1

Class 1
Rank Team Points
1 Springfield Catholic (9) 133
2 St. Vincent (2) 118
3 St. Pius X (Festus) (2) 109
4 Orchard Farm (1) 98
5 Bishop LeBlond 78
6 Pembroke Hill 62
7 St. Paul Lutheran 37
8 St. Pius (KC) 35
9 Barstow 33
10 O’Hara 23
Others: Greenwood 18, Southern Boone 9, Kennedy 8, Lutheran KC 7, Sacred Heart 7, Lutheran North 5

Catholic’s Natalie Smid Featured On KSMU

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Springfield Catholic celebrates State Championship, 2010

Springfield Catholic celebrates State Championship, 2010

The senior to be at Springfield Catholic, an All-State soccer player (far right, photo above) who is also the 9th best cross country runner in the state (per Coach Nick Russo) and holds the Catholic cross-country school record, was featured on KSMU radio recently. Natalie Smid: A Modern-Day ‘Moses’ With Spirit, Smarts, and Charisma covers not only her athletic accomplishments but also the community work she is actively involved in, on top of maintaining an academic record targeted to getting her into Medical school.

I’ve gotten to know Natalie in her three years of High School play, from my early interview with her and her close friend Rachel Scott as freshmen following a key win, to this season as she accepted the reigns of responsibility for leading her championship squad. I’m proud to know she’s using my photo of her celebrating, as Bekah Bade runs to find her first after scoring the eventual game-winner in the championship game. Yet when asked for a photo to use in the KSMU story, she used the one I took of her teamates holding the trophy. Much as Landon Donovan ushered his teammates onto the stage first at the Espy’s and featured Bocanegra as the first speaker, despite the award for Greatest Moment being given in his name. Teams win, not players, and Natalie is a leader that knows that in her heart and leads by example, the best method I know.

Catholic Ranked 2nd in First Missouri High School Girls Soccer Poll

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IWA vs Glendale, State Semifinal 2009The initial poll for the 2010 season has been released by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association. Let’s check it out!

Class 3
1 -Incarnate Word Academy
2 – Liberty
3 – Nerinx Hall
4 – Lee’s Summit North
5 – St. Joe’s Academy
6 – Pattonville
7 – Hazelwood West
8 – Lee’s Summit
9 – Glendale
10 – Park Hill South
11 – Howell North
12 – Rockwood Summit
13 – St. Teresa’s Academy
14 – Lafayette
15 – Ursuline
Others: Cor Jesu, Howell Central, Jeff City, Marquette, Rock Bridge, Rolla, Truman

Incarnate Word are the defending state Champions while Liberty, with U17 National pool player Kaysie Clark, will look to earn the KC slot that Lee’s Summit North captured last year with their 5-3 win in the Quarterfinal. Pattonville finished 3rd in 2009, blasting Glendale 4-1 in the consolation game at State and have one Missouri State recruit (Laughlin) on their roster. The Falcons, who I covered last week, bring back a strong squad that have an excellent opportunity to return to State in 2010. They have three teams from District 10 in Jeff City, Rock Bridge and Rolla that will work to prevent that from happening.

Class 2
1 – St. Dominic
2 – Notre Dame St. Louis
3 – Smithville
4 – Notre Dame de Sion
5 – Visitation
6 – Villa Duchesne
7 – St. Charles West
8 – Cape Notre Dame
9 – Jefferson City Helias
10 – Platte County
Others: Bolivar, Borgia, Harrisonville, Kearney, Moberly, Pembroke Hill, Perryville, Staley, Warrensburg

It was Duchesne that won in 2009, knocking off Smithville with the two Notre Dame programs playing in the consolation games. Helias and Bolivar both lost in the Quarterfinals last season.

Class 1
1 – St. Vincent
2 – Springfield Catholic
3 – St. Pius (KC)
4 – Trinity
5 – Principia
6 – Whitfield
7 – St. Pius (Festus)
8 – Sacred Heart
9 – John Burroughs
10 – Barstow
Others: Greenwood, Orchard Farm, Southern Boone

The Irish will look to improve on last year’s 3rd place finish while St Vincent is the defending champion looking to repeat. Trinity and St Pius (KC) were the other teams to reach the Final 4 last year and it looks like the coaches don’t expect much to change. Greenwood begins their 4th season of play with their first full class that will have to get past Catholic first.

Zach Alumbaugh Hired As Springfield Catholic Assistant

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Zach Alumbaugh, Springfield SC

Zach Alumbaugh, Springfield SC

From the Springfield Catholic boys soccer program comes the following release: Springfield Catholic Soccer Adds Experience to Boy’s Staff

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Zach returning to Springfield and especially to have him coaching at Springfield Catholic. He returns after gaining two years of invaluable experience at the college level. His knowledge of what it takes to play in college will be a big help to our players as they decide where they want to play after high school. He will be the Head Coach of the JV team and a big help with the Varsity squad as an Assistant Coach. This will be nothing new to him as he fulfilled the same positions back in Dubuque at Hempstead H.S. in 2000 and 2001. I don’t really look at our staff as having anyone more important than another. We are just a group of coaches that love this game and give everything we can to help the players improve as individuals and as a team, says Head Coach Joe Kofron. Zach will also be able to spend time expanding our Camps and building programs for the young kids in the Springfield Catholic Schools.”

Zach comes back to Springfield after being the assistant men’s coach at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa for the past two seasons. While in Dubuque, Alumbaugh helped guide the Duhawks to two conference championships and two NCAA Division III tournament appearances, reaching the Final Four in 2008 and the Sweet 16 in 2009. Along with being the top assistant, Zach was also in charge of the goalkeepers for both the men’s and women’s team at Loras. Prior to his time in Dubuque Zach was a coach and Director of External Affairs with the Springfield Soccer Club from 2004 to 2008. Alumbaugh is a 2002 graduate of Loras College receiving his degree in Sports Management and Administration. Zach was a four year starter in goal for the Duhawks and still holds career records for shutouts and saves at Loras and his career 1.31 GAA is good for 4th all time. Zach has a USSF coaching license.

Zach and his fiancée Kelli will be getting married in June of 2010 and will live in Springfield.

Zach joins Dr. Tom Hoff and Chad Jaeger, former players of Drury University, and Dr. Joe Kofron, who played for the University of Evansville, for the upcoming fall 2010 season.

High School Schedules – Am I Missing Your Team?

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OK, spent the afternoon Tuesday entering schedules into my High School Calendar and I’m still missing quite a few. The only way I can cover your team is if I have your schedule and can identify games of interest. Please have your Coach or a member of the Booster Club send me the schedule. I need it as a spreadsheet!

If your team IS NOT on this list, then I NEED YOUR SCHEDULE!
Class 3 – Branson Pirates, Camdenton Lakers, Central Bulldogs, Glendale Falcons, Jeff City Jays, Kickapoo Chiefs, Neosho Wildcats, Nixa Eagles, Ozark Tigers, Parkview Vikings, Rolla Bulldogs, Waynesville Tigers
Class 2 – Carl Junction Bulldogs, Logan-Rogersville Wildcats, West Plains Zizzers
Class 1 – Springfield Catholic Irish, Greenwood Blue Jays

Here is a blank spreadsheet you can complete. Download googlecalendar_schedule and complete. Thanks!

Missouri State Bears Boys Soccer Team Camps

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Missouri State Bears Soccer Boys Team CampThat time of year again, the Team Camp just ended Friday and the Residential Camp begins today. I caught this shot of the save by Bryan Byars of Putnam City North (OK), home of Lance Pickens (Chivas USA/MSU Bears) and Chad Thompson (MSU defender) during the All-Star game. The save is against his HS teammate, Tyler Groh, with Tim Wallace of Washington (MO) in defense. All are juniors.

For more photos, including team photos, click on the photo to be taken to my Flickr website. You can download low resolution photos for free.

Local representatives on the All-Star team included Justin Bowenschulte and Cullen Barr of Springfield Catholic as well as Nathan Moore of West Plains Zizzers. Here’s the entire list of All-Stars, who represent the Top 10% (2 of 15 teams).

All-Stars: 2008 Missouri State Team Camp White Team
Front Row: Tyler Jordan, Shawnee (6); Justin Bowenschulte, Catholic (15); Cullen Barr, Catholic (16); Nick Johnson, Ralston (11); Lucas Bigford, Washington MO (13); Tyler Groh, Putnam City North OK (10); Taylor Hart, Conway AR (8); Caleb Dayer, Conway AR (2)
Back Row: Bryan Murray, Springfield SC; Garrett Holmes, TCA (12); Noah Vogt, Boone MO (14); Derick Allen, Shawnee (GK); John Beckman, Stillwater OK (9); Matt Bray, Putnam City North OK (7); Connor Silvestri, Conway AR (4); Tim Wallace, Washington MO (5); Trevor Young, TCA (3)

Caleb Dayer, Taylor Hart and Connor Silvestri of Conway were named to the Arkansas All-State team in May, enroute to their undefeated boys 7A state championship.

All-Stars: 2008 Missouri State Team Camp Maroon Team
Front Row: Eric Grisham, Washington MO (3); Matt Thies, Ralston (11); James Hsueh, TCA (8); Joey Carson, Shawnee (16); Nathan Moore, West Plains MO (6); Patrick Mallon, Washington MO (9); Dylan Reed, Conway AR (10); Thomas Tower, Stillwater OK (12); Josh Vanornam, Ralston (14)
Back Row: Chip Dutchick, Missouri State; Caleb Crenshaw, Choctaw OK (15); Taylor Thompson, Putnam City North OK (13); Dustin Deisher, Shawnee (7) ; Bryan Byars, Putnam City North OK (GK); Kevin Cabello, Putnam City North OK (5); Austin Fitzpatrick, Stillwater OK (2); Tyler Brom, Ralston (4); Kenny Boutsabouabane, Missouri State

Saying Good Bye

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Kickapoo Chiefs vs Glendale FalconsDavidson's 500th Win - Ozark over Springfield Catholic The region lost a pair of assistant coaches with the end of the season last week. There are a lot of hard-working folks involved in this community but an area of particular significance is when recent college graduates give back by working with local high schools. Especially when they didn’t play their prep soccer here. That’s the case with this pair.

Liz Russell (far left) came to Springfield from Oklahoma to play soccer for the Drury Panthers. Her career was cut short by injuries but that didn’t stop her involvement in the game. She was part of the group that brought you the College Recruiting seminar at Drury last year and she’s been part of the Glendale Falcon’s coaching staff for the past three years. She handled the Junior Varsity during that time frame and she was committed enough to the girls that she was on the side lines through the entire playoff run. Now she’s off to Law School at the end of the summer.

Justin Douglass has been working with the Catholic Fightin’ Irish the past two years. When he completed his outstanding career with the Missouri State Bears a year ago he agreed to help out with the girls team, taking on the JV girls last Spring. This past year, as he completed preparation for graduate school (he’s headed to Houston for Opthalmology School) he worked with both the Boys and the Girls and supported the varsity squads as well. Admitted to graduate school, the last of his teammates long gone when the MSU campus cleared out, he noted to me “I’ll pack up and leave AFTER the Irish complete their playoff run”. His commitment to the players and the team wouldn’t allow him to leave before then.

We have benefited greatly from the commitment he and Liz made to soccer in our community. I’m going to miss both of these player/coaches. The good news is based upon what I’ve seen of their character and commitment, they’ll be impacting kids and their community for a long time. Thanks Liz and Justin, or Coach McD as the girls called him. At least that’s what I think it was :)

There’s A New Sheriff In Town News

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Final week of the regular season and you know what that means, eh folks. That’s right…

Waynesville visits Catholic on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 pm. The Varsity play first and we’ll have a chance to see the two teams that have beaten Kickapoo and Glendale this season. It will also be one of your last chances to see Katie Pritchard with a ball at her feet, since next October she’ll be playing roundball for the Panthers. She’s a goal away from claiming second in career scoring in Missouri, and number one in large school scoring. And both teams are gearing up for the State Playoffs and this is a great way to send a message.

There’s one other game of note this week that needs no introduction. The Glendale Falcons visit Kickapoo on Wednesday for their Ozark Conference match up. The Chief’s lost 0-4 in early April as sophomore Lindsey Sprouse had a hat-trick in the Falcon’s shutout. Kickapoo will be without Jessica McCutcheon in goal due to injury (their 5th starter to go down) but the rivalry is strong. There will be a crowd out to cheer on both teams.

Springfield Soccer ClubCongratulations go out to the Springfield SC who had two teams advance to the semifinals this weekend at the Missouri State Cup. The U13 boys won their first two games ever in achieving that goal, before losing to a Scott Gallagher team yesterday morning. UPDATE – Got to call you on this sentence!! The U13 division is the youngest age group at state cup. The U13 team won their first two games at Cup and got to the semifinal…the first time ever a U13 team from SGF has done that (including current U17s). BTW the U17 game was won by one of the best shots you’ll ever see anywhere, an absolute corker straight into the top corner through a penalty box of defenders, by Tim Griffin from about 25 yards out. The U17 boys, defending State Champions, defeated Scott Gallagher in OT to advance to the Final again this year. It will be played this Saturday at 3:00 pm at the SLYSA Fields in St Charles, MO. I’ll be there to cover the story and celebrate Mother’s Day with my Mom. It’s also my Dad’s birthday on Saturday so lot’s of good reasons to be in St Louis rather than Springfield.

I mention that in advance of reminding you that Saturday is also the home opener for the Springfield Demize. I normally make the Professional Development League (PDL) games a priority but I’ve got a a conflict this weekend :) I think they are a great opportunity to see some quality soccer with future professional players you’ll be able to say “I remember when…”

Southwest Soccer All StarsWe’re in the final stages of the Southwest All-Star game as well. As noted earlier, I’m out seeing as many games as possible as part of the evaluation process. We anticipate making the announcement of the Girls Roster by Wednesday May 14th.

If your Booster Club or business would like to recognize the players that will be represented and support our efforts to bring you this game, please contact me so I can provide information on placing an ad in the Program. Thanks Folks, see you at the pitch!