Class 3 District 12 Champions - Central Bulldogs, 2012

The win came in the second overtime of play as the Bulldogs battled back from an 0-2 deficit. Sophomore Aspen Hawkins scored all three of the goals for Central. I’ve included photos from last year’s District semifinal win over Carthage below. Aspen, who is a team captain despite her youth, is #7 in red for those who may be unfamiliar with this dynamo. Who knows, you might even get current photos from the local rag who declared High School soccer is on the rise recently. Let’s hope their actions prove equal to their words…

The team faces off against the Glendale Falcons, the District 11 champions and 3rd place State finishers in 2011, tonight at Harrison Stadium on the Drury University campus. Game time is 6:00 pm.

The winner will advance to Saturday’s Quarterfinal and play the winner of the Columbia Rock Bridge vs Waynesville Tigers Sectional match. That game is being played at 6:00 pm in Waynesville. The next loss for the Bruins will be the final game for their Head Coach, Marc Van Dover, who has announced he is retiring. Excellent article in the Columbia Missourian on Coach Van Dover and the team. The assistant coach is Ann Felts, who starred at Rolla and North Carolina and is also ‘retiring’ as she and her husband are moving to San Antonio this Summer. Ann was featured on this site a few years ago in a top-notch story by Kurt Austin, now with Sporting KC.

Friday, March 18 Results

​​Dixon Bulldogs -
Osage Indians -

​Waynesville Tigers – 2
St. James – 0

Saturday, March 19 Schedule

​Dixon Bulldogs –
St. James -
​
Waynesville Tigers – 9
Osage Indians – 0

Osage Indians –
St. James –

​2:00 p.m.​Dixon vs. Waynesville

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!

Led by its own No. 10 with a ponytail — Stiles’ jersey number and trademark at MSU — success didn’t come easy for Waynesville or Pritchard. But Pritchard’s facial expression rarely changed, regardless of the circumstances.

And here I thought the #10 was because of soccer but it was Stiles. Good luck at Drury Katie, see you Thursday for the All-Star game and your farewell to the worlds game

Unless we catch her on an amateur team over at Lake Country, or kicking it around on the Drury Campus, Katie Pritchard’s last soccer match was with her Waynesville Tiger’s teammates Tuesday in the loss to Lebanon. The video above is following the Catholic game Tuesday May 6th and the audio is affected by the wind. Regardless, I get the sense of a focused young woman, already prepared to handle the media as she now begins her quest for a National title with the Drury Panthers basketball team. Good luck and thanks Katie.

All-State Soccer – 3 years (likely 4)
All-State Basketball – 2 years
#2 Career scoring, Missouri Soccer – 171 (38 this season)

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.

Congratulations 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…”

We’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!

Class 2
Rank Team Points
1 – Incarnate Word Academy (11) 190
2 – Lafayette (2) 182
3 – St. Teresa’s 172
4 – St. Joe’s Academy 150
5 – Liberty 136
6 – Nerinx Hall 133
7 – Lee’s Summit North 101
8 – Lee’s Summit 95
9 – Howell North 89
10 – Ursuline 76
11 – Pattonville 52
12 – Jackson 41
13 – Hazelwood West 30
14 – Parkway South 21
15 – Glendale 16
Others: Cor Jesu 16, Lee’s Summit West 14, Eureka 11, Oakville 7, Rockwood Summit 7, Waynesville 6, Howell 5, Marquette 2

Final regular season poll and the Glendale Falcons finally crack the Top 15 list, after receiving a single vote two weeks ago. Waynesville falls off, likely due to the press from Quincy and the Brine TOC where the rain didn’t do them any favors. District 11 playoffs begin Monday May 12th in Lebanon and seeding is tomorrow. I would expect Waynesville will get #1 which means the final on May 15th will send the clear message.

Kickapoo started at #14 back on March 14th but have fallen off the list. Nonetheless, they have established themselves as the team to beat in District 12.

On a related note, I should have the Girls Southwest All-Star team invitations completed by Wednesday May 14th. There are approximately 20 girls who have played there way onto the team and we are looking to add another 16 or so. If I’m at your game now and you’re a senior, I hope you’re bringing your A-game girl. Make it hard for us to not invite you!

Class 1
Rank Team
1 – St. Dominic (5) 117
2 – Duchesnse (3) 115
3 – Westminster 98
4 – Visitation 95
5 – Cape Notre Dame 82
6 – Notre Dame de Sion 81
7 – Springfield Catholic 64
8 – Notre Dame (STL) 59
9 – Villa Duchesne 41
10 – St. Vincent (Perryville) 38
11 – Moberly 36
12 – Platte County 26
13 – St. Charles West 24
14 – Smithville 20
15 – Warrensburg 10
Others: John F. Kennedy 6, Lutheran South 6, DeSoto 4, Bolivar 1, Perryville 1

Catholic moves up one, swapping places with Notre Dame (STL). No change in the Top 6 although Westminister moves from #6 to #3.

It’s probably self-evident, but I’ve received two cancellations today so far:
West Plains vs Harrison (AR) is moved to Thursday March 27th, still Varsity only and in West Plains.
Jeff City Helias vs Waynesville is moved to Thursday March 27th, still in Jeff City

On a related note, here are some recent stories in the regional papers on the Girls season:

The Waynesville Tigers, with 10 returning starters and 9 seniors, want to advance farther in the playoffs this year.

The Glendale Falcons are also interested in improving on their finish last year after sharing the Ozark Conference title with the Tigers. They want a District title.

While the Chiefs, who have nine returning starters from a team that advanced to the Class 4 state quarterfinals for the second consecutive season, are thinking about the results the boys team achieved.

Camdenton Lady Lakers have two players picked to the Preseason District team and have 8 returning starters.

1-Kickapoo (32) Can Phil Hodge work his first year magic and pull the final four double? The Lady Chiefs were 15-9-1 last year and advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. They return several key players but are led by two All-Staters, Katy McClain and Chealsey Russell.

2-Rolla (30) The Lady Bulldogs finished 2007 with their worst record ever, 14-11-2, yet still managed to claim their ninth district championship in ten years. They return nine starters led by All-Stater Kaitlin Bramel and look to continue a good run.

3-Waynesville (22) Will arguably the most athletic girls class in Waynesville history find the same success on the soccer field that they have enjoyed in the gym? They return 10 starters including three time All-Stater Katie Pritchard.

4-Glendale (21) Lorin Opfer and Megan Garrad return from injuries to a solid team. The question is, who will replace All-State keeper Laura McElroy? If Jeff Rogers can find the answer, the Lady Falcons may be the team to beat.

5-Lebanon (15) Mike Gow returns nine starters from the Lady Yellowjackets best season ever. Last year in the pre-season poll we told you that they would surprise some people. If they surprise you this year you might want to find a new hobby.

Others to watch–

Ozark- Tom Davidson is no stranger to post-season success, but can he propel a Lady Tiger team led by returning scorers Erica Hogan and Megan Gunnells past Kickapoo?

Joplin- Ed Miller and the Lady Eagles have reached the district finals many times. Can they break into the post-season mix?

Note: all commentary, except for the opening, provided by the Coaches Association. ( ) votes received

Along with teammates Katie Pritchard, Erica Combs and Orielle Thomas, she’s focused on the Quarterfinal game against Columbia Rock Bridge. Coach Scott will have to wait a bit longer before he gets his seniors back onto the soccer practice field. Good luck ladies!

Congratulations to Coach Scott. If the Waynesville girls needed any more incentive to reach the same levels that the football and basketball teams have reached this year, they just got it. We’re losing an up-and-comer on the soccer pitch and the Tigers get an ambitious, talented AD. They will also be losing long time assistant Nelson Morgan who indicated to me that this will be his final season on the sideline as well.

I am happy to tell you that Josh’s final game as a Coach will be on the sideline at the All-Star game in June. He accepted our invitation in December to handle one of the Boy’s teams, along with Phil Hodge who will handle the other team.

Rick and Sheila Temple have six children. Kyler will graduate from Kickapoo this May and continue his career with Drury. His younger brother Konnor is playing at Glendale (2011). The News-Leader interviews Rick & Sheila in Added Blessings, a story on adoption.

If you’ve seen the Waynesville Tigers or Rolla Bulldogs girls team play anytime the past three years, you’ve likely noticed Katie Pritchard and Kaitlin Bramel, both impact players and multi-sport athletes. And as the Waynesville Daily Guide notes, On-court rivals Pritchard and Bramel have stayed best of friends off court after being teammates and opponents on the hardwood. Excellent story. Katie’s signed to play basketball for the Drury Panthers (soccer too Alf?) and I’ve had the two games Waynesville plays in Springfield on my calender since the schedules were announced.

Waynesville plays Jan 31st at Hillcrest and Feb 14th at Kickapoo.
Rolla plays Jan 21st at Hillcrest and Feb 4th at Parkview.