The Kickapoo Chiefs, coming off of their 3rd place finish at State last year, now have a second member of this years team scheduled to play Division I college soccer next year. Senior Ryan Moses recently accepted an offer from Head Coach Dan Donigan to represent the nationally ranked St Louis University Billikens, where he will join his friend and club teammate Devon Newport (Glendale).

Folks - I want to share with you the cover of the newest issue of The Magazine that will be available in early September. I'm deep in production and I'm happy to announce I've got an actual designer working with me this time around. He's completed the cover and is now waiting on me to provide the content.

Three changes for the Class 2 District in Southwest Missouri. We saw that Willard and Carthage have moved up to Class 3. The Aurora Houn'dawgs have moved back into Class 2, after two seasons in Class 1 and Logan-Rogersville introduces their new program.

Class 2, District 5
* Aurora High School
* Bolivar High School
* Carl Junction High School
* Cassville High School
* Logan-Rogersville High School
* Marshfield High School
* Monett High School
* Webb City High School
* West Plains High School

In Class 1, there are two Districts in the Region.

Three changes for the Class 2 District in Southwest Missouri. We saw that Willard and Carthage have moved up to Class 3. The Aurora Houn'dawgs have moved back into Class 2, after two seasons in Class 1 and Logan-Rogersville introduces their new program.

Class 2, District 5
* Aurora High School
* Bolivar High School
* Carl Junction High School
* Cassville High School
* Logan-Rogersville High School
* Marshfield High School
* Monett High School
* Webb City High School
* West Plains High School

In Class 1, there are two Districts in the Region.

Southwest Missouri will now feature three Districts with five new teams joining the fray. I'll dig into the Quarterfinal and Sectional information later this weekend.

Washington MO joins District 10, coming from the far Western suburbs of St Louis to play against the South Central members of the Ozark Conference, including Camdenton who will now concentrate their efforts South of the Lake.

Southwest Missouri will now feature three Districts (of a total of 16 in Class 3) with five new teams joining the fray. I'll dig into the Quarterfinal and Sectional information later this weekend.

Washington MO joins District 10, coming from the far Western suburbs of St Louis to play against the South Central members of the Ozark Conference, including Camdenton who will now concentrate their efforts South of the Lake.

By the time the majority of you read this, most of the College and High School boys squads in the region will already be recovering from their first practice session of the new season.

I stopped by Kickapoo Sunday evening, check-in and paperwork details in advance of Monday's opening practice.

By the time the majority of you read this, most of the College and High School boys squads in the region will already be recovering from their first practice session of the new season.

I stopped by Kickapoo Sunday evening, check-in and paperwork details in advance of Monday's opening practice.

Missed this announcement back in late May but it's worth posting now. From the St Louis Post-Dispatch:

In 1980, St. Mary's High senior Keith Meyer was honored by Parade magazine as its high school boys player of the year. This year's All-America team, which will be featured in the Parade Magazine in the Sunday Post-Dispatch, will include two area standouts ?

Missed this announcement back in late May but it's worth posting now. From the St Louis Post-Dispatch:

In 1980, St. Mary's High senior Keith Meyer was honored by Parade magazine as its high school boys player of the year. This year's All-America team, which will be featured in the Parade Magazine in the Sunday Post-Dispatch, will include two area standouts — SLUH's Tommy Meyer and DeSmet's Will Bruin.

Springfield, and Springfield SC, has another representative in the Big 10. Goalkeeper Tommy Tombridge (Kickapoo 2009) verbally committed to the Wildcats a week ago, where he'll play for Head Coach Tim Lenahan at the campus on Lake Michigan, in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL.

Unlike many of the players I've talked to about their recruiting experience, playing college ball wasn't necessarily on his radar screen.

Springfield, and Springfield SC, has another representative in the Big 10. Goalkeeper Tommy Tombridge (Kickapoo 2009) verbally committed to the Wildcats a week ago, where he'll play for Head Coach Tim Lenahan at the campus on Lake Michigan, in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL.

Unlike many of the players I've talked to about their recruiting experience, playing college ball wasn't necessarily on his radar screen.

That 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.

That 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.

From the Willard Tigers website:

Coach Owens will be leaving the Willard School District after 14 years and has accepted the position of assistant principal at Bolivar High School. With his departure, Willard High School Activities Director Jeff Staley has announced that the new coaching staff for Willard High School will be Tim Magee and Geoff Meiss.

From the Willard Tigers website:

Coach Owens will be leaving the Willard School District after 14 years and has accepted the position of assistant principal at Bolivar High School. With his departure, Willard High School Activities Director Jeff Staley has announced that the new coaching staff for Willard High School will be Tim Magee and Geoff Meiss.

Let's open with video shot by Chris Brewer of the News-Leader. And who would have guessed we'd get more video from the paper than from KOLR 10, the one TV station in town that has shown a commitment to soccer?

Pritchard notches hat trick, Gold team gets tie by Logan Hoffman of the News-Leader (and Drury Panthers goal keeper)

Photo Gallery by Mark Schiefelbein for the News-Leader

Let's open with video shot by Chris Brewer of the News-Leader. And who would have guessed we'd get more video from the paper than from KOLR 10, the one TV station in town that has shown a commitment to soccer?

Pritchard notches hat trick, Gold team gets tie by Logan Hoffman of the News-Leader (and Drury Panthers goal keeper)

Photo Gallery by Mark Schiefelbein for the News-Leader

I was asked by a reporter from the News-Leader about what the All-Star game represents for me. After spending a couple of hours digging through hundreds of photos, and posting 98 of them to my Flickr and SmugMug sites, I think I can distill it.

The players always exceed my expectations.

I was asked by a reporter from the News-Leader about what the All-Star game represents for me. After spending a couple of hours digging through hundreds of photos, and posting 98 of them to my Flickr and SmugMug sites, I think I can distill it.

The players always exceed my expectations.

The 4th Annual Southwest All-Stars game will be played this evening at Lake Country Soccer, field #1.

Girls game at 6:00 pm
Boys game at 8:00 pm

First played in December 2004, the game is dedicated to recognizing High School seniors who have exhibited skill and leadership on the pitch.

We've got a full day today folks.

Turn your radio on this morning, Thursday at 9:30am. Catch All-Stars organizer and Springfield SC Director of Coaching Jeremy Alumbaugh with All-Stars Katy McLain, Heath Melugin and Tara Bailes on JOCK 98.7, The Sports Reporters

In addition to watching the finest seniors in Southwest Missouri tonight, you can also catch the 1st Quarterfinal match of the European Championships today.

I hope you will join us on Thursday for our 4th annual game. This has been a 10 month process, culminating in the final high school game for the Class of 2008. Jeremy, Zack and I have spent a significant amount of time over the past month in final preparations. Your support for the players and the event is an important part of growing the soccer community in the region.

Announcing the first.....

Jon Strodtman Memorial Senior All-Star Soccer Game
Brought to you by Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy

Graduating Seniors from Central Missouri will be selected to play in the first annual games. Forty men, in two teams of twenty and likewise for the women will play a ninety minute game in front of family, friends, and spectators.

PRESS RELEASE

The Kansas City Wizards announced the tryout times for the five KCW Juniors teams. The KCW Juniors will have teams in the U-13, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 age groups for the 2008-2009 season and designate six Technical Staff members to those teams. The Wizards will also form a U-19 squad for players returning from college to have a place to train and a way to stay connected to the organization.