Missouri State Bears - 1
Western Michigan Broncos - 0
Senior Allison Osmundson netted the game-winning goal at the 61:38 minute mark in the second-half to give Missouri State their second win on the weekend. The Bears improved their record to 5-3-1 on the season.

Missouri State Bears - 1
Western Michigan Broncos - 0
Senior Allison Osmundson netted the game-winning goal at the 61:38 minute mark in the second-half to give Missouri State their second win on the weekend. The Bears improved their record to 5-3-1 on the season.

Missouri State Bears - 1 (2 OT)
Valparaiso Crusaders - 1
The Bears opened strong Friday evening, coming off of their Tournament win at New Mexico last week. Attacking with verve, they wasted no time exploiting the first opportunity to present itself.

Missouri 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.

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.

"They wanted it more than we did in the first half" was the assessment of Coach Rob Brewer of the MSU Bears following his squads 2-1 loss to their North side neighbors, the Drury Panthers Saturday evening. All three goals were scored in the decisive first half, with Drury scoring in the 31st and 42nd minutes while MSU narrowed the margin with a quick strike in the 43rd minute.

"They wanted it more than we did in the first half" was the assessment of Coach Rob Brewer of the MSU Bears following his squads 2-1 loss to their North side neighbors, the Drury Panthers Saturday evening. All three goals were scored in the decisive first half, with Drury scoring in the 31st and 42nd minutes while MSU narrowed the margin with a quick strike in the 43rd minute.

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.

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.

Player of the Year - Allison Hu, Duchesne
Offensive Player of the Year - Signe Novak, St. Dominic
Defensive Player of the Year - Katie Murphy, Notre Dame de Sion
Goalkeeper of the Year - Melissa Pacheco, Notre Dame de Sion

Coach of the Year, Private Schools - Matt Darby, Notre Dame de Sion
Coach of the Year, Public Schools - Jamie Waddell, Platte County

First Team
GK - Tori Champaign, 11 - Duchesne
GK - Melissa Pacheco, 12 - Notre Dame de Sion
D - Allison Hu, 11 - Duchesne
D - Sam Ander, 11 -St.

I'll let the Bolivar Liberator website tell the story

It took Catholic 60 minutes to score the winning goal against a stingy Liberator defense tonight in the class 1 district final. Tara Bailes scored the game winner with a penalty kick shot. The call and the goal took the momentum away from the Lady Liberators and Catholic was able to put in two more goals in the half to win 3-0.

Fortunately for me, I've discovered that the majority of you don't come here because of my journalistic skills. We know newspapers are dying, so I cover the game we love and that's good enough for you.

That is all to explain my feeble attempt at a May Day (and the day is a good one so far, eh) headline and a feature story for you in advance of the game tonight between the top 2 seeds in Class 1.

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.

Waynesville Tigers - 4
Joplin Eagles - 0

Rolla Bulldogs - 4
Lebanon Yellowjackets - 0
Junior Ashley Kerr opened the scoring with a goal in the 36th minute from a long throw by senior Kaitlin Bramel for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

Hillcrest Hornets - 7
Mt View Liberty - 1
My earlier 3-0 report was the score that KOLR10 reported on their news broadcast last night. It was good to see them covering soccer. I'll get more details on the game soon. Hillcrest goals were scored by Jessica Bass (2), Erin Boschen (3), Kelsie Moss and Kala VanHuss.

Pattonville Pirates - 2
Rolla Bulldogs - 0
The Pattonville Pirates, 10th ranked in Metro St Louis poll, continued their strong play in Jefferson City, shutting out the Bulldogs in the early game today.

Helias Crusaders - 5
Pembroke Hill Raiders - 1

Rolla Bulldogs - 2
Pembroke Hill - 1
Goals from Freshman Ellen Spooner and Sophomore Jaclyn Standfast for the win.

It can't be called a surprise, or even an upset necessarily, but the Class 1 Springfield Catholic squad visited their Class 2 neighbors and earned a 1-0 victory tonight. The goal was scored by senior Anne Prenger, on a 50 yard direct kick that appeared to surprise the Kickapoo goalkeeper, dropping in front of her on the edge of the six-yard box and settling into the net after bouncing over her head.

It can't be called a surprise, or even an upset necessarily, but the Class 1 Springfield Catholic squad visited their Class 2 neighbors and earned a 1-0 victory tonight. The goal was scored by senior Anne Prenger, on a 50 yard direct kick that appeared to surprise the Kickapoo goalkeeper, dropping in front of her on the edge of the six-yard box and settling into the net after bouncing over her head.

It's my anniversary folks. Not directly, the calender never quite cooperates. How can Easter be over already?

I'm entering my 4th year of coverage of high school, club and college soccer in the region with tonights game between Springfield Catholic and Kickapoo. It was the first game I covered in 2005 when I started this site.

It's my anniversary folks. Not directly, the calender never quite cooperates. How can Easter be over already?

I'm entering my 4th year of coverage of high school, club and college soccer in the region with tonights game between Springfield Catholic and Kickapoo. It was the first game I covered in 2005 when I started this site.

Saturday's Games

Rolla Bulldogs - 1
Springfield Catholic - 0
Jacklyn Standfast (pictured below) got the gamewinner, after Kaitlin Bramel picked up a loose ball from Ashley Kerr's corner kick. It came in the xxth minute and the Bulldogs continued to press throughout the half as the Irish had difficulty getting started in their third game in three days.

Rolla wins their Classic, winning all three games while getting five goals from five players. Look out Ozark Conference Catholic takes 2nd Place by finishing 1-1-1 against the Class 2 competition, including a win against Washington and a tie against Hickman.

Rolla Bulldogs - 2
Hickman Kewpies - 0
A blast from just outside the box early in the second half by Ashley Kerr gave the Bulldogs their third straight win to open the season, propelling Coach Mike Howard to the 500th win of his career in the process.

Late goals were the story of the day

Rolla Bulldogs - 2
Washington - 1
14th minute - Sophomore forward Olivia Cox put Rolla up 1-0 off a pass from Kim Carter.
31st minute - Ellie Ebinger tied the game for Washington.
79th minute - Sophomore midfielder Jaclyn Standfast scores game winner from an Ashley Kerr pass.

Update - I got my answer to the question of whether anyone was playing today.

Springfield Catholic - 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets - 0
The Lady Irish traveled to Lebanon to take on the Class 2 District 11 Finalists from last year. Missouri State signee Tara Bailes (pictured in last years Class 1 Quarterfinal loss to St Dominics) got both goals, the first coming in the 10th minute on a nice combination with Anna DeLong.

GIRLS SOCCER PRESEASON POLL (03-14-08)

Class 2
Rank Team Points
1 Incarnate Word Academy (5) 103
2 St. Teresa's (2) 94
3 Nerinx Hall 85
4 St. Joe's Academy 82
5 Lee's Summit North 70
6 Lafayette 66
7 Ft. Zumwalt West 65
8 Ursuline 53
9 Cor Jesu 31
10 Hazelwood West 30
11 Liberty 29
12 Jackson 20
13 Kickapoo 17
14 Rock Bridge 15
15 Lee's Summit 14
Others: Park Hill South 13, Oakville 9, Francis Howell 10, Rolla5, Pattonville 9, Summit 8, Jefferson City 4, Helias 3, Smith-Cotton 3, Lee's Summit West 1

Kickapoo, along with Jackson (near Cape Girardeau) and Columbia Rock Bridge, get a nod from the state coaches, ranking in the Top 15.

GIRLS SOCCER PRESEASON POLL (03-14-08)

Class 2
Rank Team Points
1 Incarnate Word Academy (5) 103
2 St. Teresa's (2) 94
3 Nerinx Hall 85
4 St. Joe's Academy 82
5 Lee's Summit North 70
6 Lafayette 66
7 Ft. Zumwalt West 65
8 Ursuline 53
9 Cor Jesu 31
10 Hazelwood West 30
11 Liberty 29
12 Jackson 20
13 Kickapoo 17
14 Rock Bridge 15
15 Lee's Summit 14
Others: Park Hill South 13, Oakville 9, Francis Howell 10, Rolla5, Pattonville 9, Summit 8, Jefferson City 4, Helias 3, Smith-Cotton 3, Lee's Summit West 1

Kickapoo, along with Jackson (near Cape Girardeau) and Columbia Rock Bridge, get a nod from the state coaches, ranking in the Top 15.

Tara Bailes participated in a soccer signing ceremony at Catholic High School on Friday with teammate Anne Prenger. She has chosen to continue her career with Division I Missouri State where she will play for Coach Rob Brewer. I asked Coach Brewer about the role he expects Tara will play for the Bears.

Tara Bailes participated in a soccer signing ceremony at Catholic High School on Friday with teammate Anne Prenger. She has chosen to continue her career with Division I Missouri State where she will play for Coach Rob Brewer. I asked Coach Brewer about the role he expects Tara will play for the Bears.

I haven't done this justice folks, as my regular readers know I've had a few ... distractions. The good news is that gives me plenty of content for the coming month leading up to the girls high school season. So we'll start with a list of known commitments and in the coming days and weeks, I'll be providing more detail on the individual players.

I haven't done this justice folks, as my regular readers know I've had a few ... distractions. The good news is that gives me plenty of content for the coming month leading up to the girls high school season. So we'll start with a list of known commitments and in the coming days and weeks, I'll be providing more detail on the individual players.