Kentucky Boys' Soccer

Welcome to the home of Kentucky boys' high school soccer. The goal is simple: provide a site allowing the soccer community to showcase their favorite players and teams.

Goals of KyKicks.com:

1 - provide a place for all soccer articles around the state

2 - offer an alternative ranking system

3 - provide recognition to players

KyKicks@kykicks.com

The Awards Center in Louisville will be providing trophies this year for deserving players and coaches!...more info coming soon!

Friday Night Scores

8/22/08

John Hardin 3 - Franklin - Simpson 0

John Hardin's record is 3-0...Top 25???

C.A.L. 10 - St. Francis 0

Berea 7 - Barren Co. 3

Is Ft. Knox for real this year?

Wins over Fern Creek and Bardstown...

We find out tomorrow at E'town...

Looking on from the back: Shuck leads Rockets, anchors defense

Soccer: Boyle blanks Garrard

Boyle County midfielder Daniel Edelen (3) and Garrard County’s Blake Hester eye the ball as they race to try and gain control of it during Thursday’s match. (Clay Jackson photo)

Boyle County’s John Lynn, on ground, tries to keep the ball away from Garrard County’s Bryan Rayon during Thursday’s 6-0 win by the Rebels. (Clay Jackson photo)

Quick goals doom Cardinals

Jeffrey Poston (4) scored the lone goal for South Laurel.
Photo by Denis House

Bullitt Cup soccer set for Saturday at East

MOUNT WASHINGTON - The three Bullitt County boys’ soccer programs will try something new on Saturday when all three will converge on North Bullitt for the inaugural Bullitt Cup Soccer Tournament.

The event is not really a tournament as much as a round-robin event. The three teams will play each other starting at 9 a.m. with games to follow at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will be a champion crowned and afterwards, there will be an All-Pre-Season Tournament team with five players selected from the winning team, four from the runner-up squad and three from the third-place team.

Bullitt East and North Bullitt will play in the first game at 9 a.m. North Bullitt and Bullitt Central will then take the field at 11 a.m. The final game at 1 p.m. will have Bullitt East playing Bullitt Central.

Bullitt East head coach Mike Brangers is in charge of this event. He says that he will offer to rotate the event between all three schools, but that if they do not want it, then he will host it on the first Saturday of each season.

Admission to the event will be the same as it is for regular season games. Adult admission will be $5 and $3 for students.

Soccer Cols roll to shutout win over Storm, 6-0

HCHS forward Brandon Potts (14) chases down the ball as Hopkins County Central's Will Miller (1) is close behind during their boys soccer game at Colonel Field Thursday night, August 21, 2008. (Gleaner photo by Darrin Phegley â¢ 831-8375 or dphegley@thegleaner.com)

Down to the last minute

Franklin County’s Adam Jones and Woodford County’s Bennett Coffey try to head the ball during Thursday’s match at Sower Soccer Field. Woodford scored in the last minute to win 1-0.

2008 Fall Preview: Chargers look to build on two strong seasons

Soccer Roundup: Cards suffer first loss

Breds take 2-1 loss against Pendleton Wildcats

Somerset 3, Mercer County 2

Eagles lose composure, then the game

Scores of note...

8/21/08

# 5 Manual 4 - #17 Madison Central 0

#22 E'town 3 - Dixie Heights 0

North Oldham 4 - North Hardin 0

South Oldham 4 - C.A.L. 0

#19 Highlands 2 - #15 St. Henry 1

#14 West Jessamine 4 - #13 G.R.C. 1

#25 East Jessamine 6 - Scott Co. 3

#11 Covington Catholic 0 - Cincinnati Moeller 2

Elizabethtown wins opener, while Bulldogs and Eagles both move to 2-0

The News-Enterprise

Sophomore striker Beau Bouthilette scored two goals to lead the visiting Elizabethtown High School boys’ soccer team to a 3-0 win over Covington Dixie Heights on Thursday.

After the teams played to a 0-0 tie at halftime, Bouthilette scored his first goal in the 41st minute off a feed from junior midfielder Joe Raub. Following a penalty kick by junior midfielder Jack Goblirsch in the 56th minute, Bouthilette finished off the scoring off a feed from Goblirsch in the 68th minute. Sophomore keeper Danny Rothwell made two saves in the first half, while senior keeper Jacob Wilson made two in the second half.

Elizabethtown (1-0) outshot Dixie Heights, 14-5.

UP NEXT: Elizabethtown plays host to 10th District rival Fort Knox at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

JOHN HARDIN 6, WARREN CENTRAL 2. The Bulldogs (2-0) scored the final four goals to roll to the road win.

Junior forward Alex Dudley had two goals and two assists for John Hardin, while junior forward Grant Zigos and senior midfielder John Mullendore each had one goal and one assist. Junior defender Kirby Goodwine and junior midfielder Kevin Stafford had one goal each, while junior midfielder Eddie Legaspi and junior defender Justin Collins had one assist each.

Junior Kyle Thomas saved five shots on goal.

UP NEXT: John Hardin plays host Franklin-Simpson at 9 tonight in its first game in the Franklin-Simpson Tournament.

NORTH OLDHAM 4, NORTH HARDIN 0. The visiting Mustangs (2-0) led 2-0 at halftime and won their second consecutive game by shutout.

Junior keeper Michael Sears made six saves for the Trojans (1-1).

North Oldham out shot North Hardin, 16-10.

UP NEXT: North Hardin plays at district rival John Hardin at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

FORT KNOX 6, BARDSTOWN 2. Senior forward Charlie Davidson recorded a hat trick as visiting Fort Knox (2-0) rolled to the win.

Davidson scored on assists from senior midfielder Kyle Spadie and sophomore midfielder Chris Whitaker.

Whitaker added two goals off assists from Spadie and Davidson, and Spadie finished off the scoring with an unassisted goal late in the second half.

Junior keeper Dustin Nangle recorded 17 saves for Fort Knox, which won the JV match, 3-1.

UP NEXT: Fort Knox plays at district rival Elizabethtown at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

LARUE COUNTY 3, MONROE COUNTY 0. Senior midfielder Justin Chelf and sophomore forward Justin Chelf each had one goal and one assist as the Hawks (1-1) rolled by the host Falcons (0-2).

Sophomore defender/midfielder Dillon Walker finished off a deflected shot by senior midfielder Bradley Dyson for the Hawks’ other goal.

Sophomore keeper Bo Haun saved two shots in the first half, while junior goalie Alex Wood had two saves in the second half.

UP NEXT: LaRue County hosts Louisville Southern at noon Saturday in its home opener.

Joe Imel/Daily News
Bowling Green’s John Simpson (center) scores one of his two goals on a header Wednesday at Bowling Green High School.

Simpson’s goals lead Purples, 3-1

Top Matches

8/20/08

#6 Oldham Co. 3 vs. #2 Male 1

#3 Bowling Green 3 vs. Apollo 1

Tates Creek 0 vs. Lafayette 2

Top Matches

8/19/08

#1 St. X 2 vs. Shelby Co.0

#5 Manual 0 vs. #4 Henry clay 0

#8 Paul Dunbar 4 vs.  #17 Madison Central 1

#15 St. Henry 0 vs. #13 G.R.C. 2

#22 Bethlehem 1 vs. Eastern 0

C.A.L. 2 vs. #9 K.C.D. 1

#7 Trinity 2 vs. #10 Greenwood 0

Cincinnati St. X 1 vs. #18 Lexington Catholic 3

#24 Davies Co. 7 vs. Ohio Co. 0

#11 Covington Catholic 2 vs. Cincinnati LaSalle 2

Don't Forget

Battle of the Bullitts

8/23/08

Bullitt East vs. Bullitt Central vs. North Bullitt

May the Best Bullitt Win

WEHS honors late coach 
Raiders’ squad ‘like family,’ widow says

Photo by David W. Smith/Daily News
Warren East soccer players wear shirts Tuesday honoring former

WEHS assistant coach Josh Martin, who died in a motorcycle

accident in June. In the background is an honor guard during a ceremony at

the school’s soccer field.

From Saturday

Trinity upends Rockets 3-0

The Shelby County defense collapsed in front of the goal and managed

to clear the ball after a Trinity corner kick Saturday. Trinity won the

game 3-0.

Gator boys soccer drops opener
By the Daily News
The Greenwood boys’ soccer team dropped a narrow 2-0 decision to Trinity during its season opener Tuesday in Louisville. The Gators fell behind 1-0 in the first half, and were unable to get on the score sheet, as the Shamrocks added another in the second half.

Greenwood (0-1) will visit Glasgow at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Prep Roundup: Cards blank St. Henry

Scotties drop opener

Knights to hold Soccer Challenge

West boys impressive in home opener

Titans soccer looks forward to a fresh start in '08

Sherrill has record 5 goals in rout of Reidland



Trojans rout Falcons

Barren County’s Dillon Clark, right, looks to move past a Monroe County defender on Tuesday. Clark scored three goals as the Trojans won 9-0.
JOHN VERSER / Glasgow Daily Times

Bears boys lose season opener to Southern

Aaron Beckner (10) tries to get past a Southwestern player.
Photo by Steve Cornelius /

Warriors blank Jaguars, 6-0

Sothwestern downs North Laurel in boys' soccer action

By Larry Winterland
CNHI News Service

SOMESET—There were plenty of highlights Monday night as Southwestern shut out North Laurel 6-0 on the soccer field.

The scoring started early for the Warriors. Just 6:00 minutes into the game, Southwestern went up 1-0 with a penalty kick by Jeremy Nissen. That was the beginning of the first half scoring.

The next goal came nearly six minutes later. Nicklas Nielsen set up Josh Daulton, who used his head to put the Warriors up 2-0.

The Jaguars goal keeper, Caleb Mosley played a great game to spite giving up six goals. Early in the first half he did everything he could to keep his team in the game. He saved two shots in less than a minute in his attempt to keep the damage to a minimum.

“He played a great a game. We have to do a better job of getting the ball out of there but I thought he played well,” said North Laurel's head coach Becki Woodworth.

Mosley may have played great, but the Warriors were too much on this night. In the first half, Southwestern out shot North Laurel 18-1, including a goal by Tyler Guillem who had his back turn to the goal and kicked the ball in.

“We wanted to get off to a really quick start here tonight,” said Warriors’ coach James Ray after the game. “One of our goals is to defend our home field and this being the first game and in front of a nice crowd, we wanted to get start fast.”

Southwestern had six different players scoring all six goals. The depth really showed on the field Monday night.

“We did this in the tournament we played in that we took a bronze home in,” Ray said. “We had a bunch of different players scoring goals. We have good players who at anytime can score a goal. We are a deep team.”

For North Laurel, they look at this game as a learning experience. In spite falling behind 4-0 in the first half, the second they played better and hope to continue on building from that.

“We did give up two goals in the second half but I thought the kids did a better job on talking and getting into better position,” said Woodworth.

The Jags head back into Pulaski County to take on the Maroons on August 23rd.

After graduating 11 seniors, Central looks to repeat

Wendy Haun
Register Sports Writer

RICHMOND — For some teams, being the reigning district champion might inspire pride, confidence or arrogance. All it does for Madison Central coach Jeremiah Duerson is increase his nerves.

“It gives them an extra push,” Duerson said. “How-ever, they know they are the defending champions and everyone’s out to gun for the district teams.”

Duerson’s squad won the district tournament last season after beating Berea 4-2 in the district championship. They lost to Lafayette in a shootout in the first round of the regional tournament.

The Indians, who lost 11 seniors last year, have four seniors this year and three juniors who will help fill the void, Duerson said. Seniors Vince Clay, Garth Baxter, Spencer Boots and Travis Wells will be instrumental in the gameplan.

“The leadership right now is coming from my four seniors,” he said. “That’s who I’m looking to this year. That’ll change in the next couple of years.”

Duerson’s other major players include juniors Gordo Horn, Grant McIntosh and Jeremiah McAlister.

“It’s hard to lose that much experience, but we’ve got some good young guys that have stepped in and filled that role,” Duerson said.

Central lost its season opener Tuesday to Paul Laurence Dunbar in the first game of the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular. The Indians will continue play in Lexington Thursday against DuPont Manual and Saturday against Henry Clay.

Their first home game will be at 8 p.m. Monday against Southwestern.

Berea Community

Berea coach Casey Poynter is glad that someone is finally noticing the Pirates.

The Pirates are ranked for the first time in 17 years in the Kentucky coaches Top 30 poll. Berea is ranked No. 29th overall to start the season.

“The last couple of years, we felt like we should have been recognized,” Poynter said. “It’s nice that someone’s paying attention to us now.”

Berea opened their season at the 13/14 Region All-A Classic in Lexington by beating district rival Model, 3-2 on Tuesday. The Pirates will face off against Lexington Chris-tian Academy Thursday.

Berea will have nine seniors this year, three of which were voted captains. Poynter said his team didn’t lose much production to graduation.

“We only lost a few seniors defensively, but we really maintain our offensive core,” he said. “We have a bunch of explosive players in the midfield. I feel like we’re going to be very competitive.”

The key returners include Silas Mont-gomery, Ryan Smith (who was moved to sweeper during the offseason) and goalie Jake Callihan. Poynter said he is seeing many of the upperclassmen take charge and helping guide the underclassmen through practices.

“They are vocal in our scrimmages and they’ve been taking the underclassmen under their wings,” he said. “When you have nine seniors, you don’t have to be vocal in practice. They’ve been taking what they’ve learned and are using it to enlighten the freshman and sophomores.”

Poynter said although the Pirates’ sights are set on much higher than just a district championship, his team knows what they have to accomplish first.

“It’s always our goal to win the district title,” he said. “One step at a time. It’d be nice to make some noise in our region but we have to go for the district first.”

Model Laboratory

When the highlight of a team’s season is having one of the Top 10 scorers in the state, it’s hard to know what to expect.

“I think everything’s up for grabs,” Model coach Steve Savage said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do this year. We’ll try to be competitive.”

However, Savage said he is hoping to rebound from a 3-11-1 season during which Matt Schumann was the biggest storyline.

“The highlight of our season last year was converting Matt to striker,” Savage said. “We had a big sophomore class last year and we’re hoping they develop more as juniors this year and complement the seniors. We’re going to be quite young but we’re going to try to hone them and hopefully, get some good results.”

The major players for the Patriots include senior Blake Neumann, who got a lot of practice as the starting goalie last year; senior Matt Witt, who is converting to sweeper after last year’s sweeper transferred to Madison Central and Hunter Connor, a sophomore who will begin as a striker this season.

“We’re hoping Matt develops really quickly. He reads the game will, so hopefully that will happen,” Savage said. “Hunter has a really high work rate and he has the desire, so we’re hoping he’ll come along nicely this year.”

The Patriots opened their season with a 5-1 victory over Frankfort Monday in the All “A” Classic. They fell to district rival Berea in the semifinals. They will play Pike County Central in Pikeville Saturday before returning home at 5:30 Tuesday to face off against Danville.

Savage said aside from wins and losses, he just wants to encourage more young men to pick up soccer as a sport.

“I want my players to improve over the course of the season and learn a game they can play for the rest of their lives,” he said. “We had an alumni game this year. The alumni played really well and it was good to see all of the old guys come back together. The skills were still there.”

Madison Southern

Southern coach Lyle Bailey is well-aware of the challenges his young team will face this season.

“We’ve had a rough past two years and I expect this year is going to be the start of some changes,” Bailey said. “We’ve got really good young guys and this year, we’re just hoping to get a win at district.”

Brent Ramsey is the only senior on the Eagles’ roster, and seven juniors help to round out the upperclassman. One of those juniors — David Enge — is one Bailey will be looking to for leadership, as well as sophomores Adam Miller and A.J. Jeck, who he hopes will lead by example.

“David has been playing since freshman year,” Bailey said. “Adam Miller is our leader on defense. A.J. Jeck is our leader on offense. We’re looking to them to make the big plays in the game.”

Southern started its season with a 3-1 victory over South Laurel Tuesday. The Eagles will have a three-game away stint against Montgomery County, Bou-rbon County and Estill County before returning home Sept. 4 to face off against Berea.

With most of the playing time expected to be taken up by sophomores, Bailey said the short-term goal of the team is just getting them into the game.

“Most of these guys haven’t played varsity minutes so just getting them used to varsity speed and the kind of pressure they’re going to face in a varsity game is our goal,” he said

Jeck’s two goals help Southern win opener

Wendy Haun
Register Sports Writer

BEREA — All it took was one minute and 14 seconds to put a victory over Madison Southern out of reach for South Laurel.

Southern sophomore A.J. Jeck scored two goals, one just after the 25-minute mark in the second half, and the other at the 23:45 mark to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 victory over the Cardinals Tuesday in Berea.

The key to the game, Southern coach Lyle Bailey said, was in the shot ratio. Southern got off 17 shots, while Eagle sophomore goalie Kyle Dickhaus only had to face eight.

“We had a lot more shots than they did,” Bailey said. “It was just a good game for us.”

Southern drew first blood, scoring a goal at the 26:15 mark in the first half. Sophomore Chad Wheaton scored an unassisted goal when he had a breakaway that he drove past a Laurel defender before putting it in the lower left corner of the goal.

Wheaton also assisted on the first of Jeck’s goals, which was converted into the left side of the goal while in the heavy traffic of Cardinal defenders. The second goal was assisted by sophomore Tyler Edmister. Edmister had a free kick, which rebounded to Jeck, who kicked it in the right side past the Laurel goalie.

Part of the success of the team, Bailey said, came from its preseason game.

“We played a really tough team the other day,” he said. “That really got us prepared to play in the regular season and know what we needed to work on.”

Madison Southern will be back on the pitch Thursday when they will face off against Mont-gomery County at 5:30 in Mt. Sterling. They will have a three-game road trip before returning home again to face Berea at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4.

Bailey said the Eagles, which have only one senior on the roster, know what they’re up against with having such a young team.

“We’re starting one freshman and then we’re mainly sophomores and a few juniors,” he said. “We’re a young team so we have a lot to look forward to.”

St. X soccer team copes with injuries as title defense starts

By Jason Frakes • jfrakes@courier-journal.com

The preseason has not been kind to the St. Xavier High School soccer team -- not that anyone is going to feel sorry for the Tigers.

St. X has eight starters back from last season's undefeated state championship team and is ranked No. 1 in Kentucky's preseason Top 25. Still, coach Andy Schulten is dealing with a bevy of injuries as the season starts this week.

Seniors Tyler White (dislocated knee) and Ryan Smith (mononucleosis) might be out for the season. Seniors Andrew Estopinal (broken foot), Kyle Richard (mononucleosis) and Zack Stewart (knee injury) also are battling ailments but should return to action at some point.

"Two or three years ago we caught a rash of injuries at the end of the year that really hurt us," said Schulten, whose team finished 25-0-2 last year. "If I had to choose, I'd rather have them at the beginning of the year than the end of the year."

Luckily for the Tigers, strikers Kevin Bick and Kyle Schickel are healthy. Bick, who has committed to Indiana University, had 15 goals and 20 assists last season. Schickel, headed to Northwestern, had 23 goals and nine assists. Both are top contenders for Kentucky's Mr. Soccer honor.

A look at other teams from the Louisville area:

Top 25

No. 2 Male has a new coach in Damien Sweeney, a 2000 graduate of the school who played at Transylvania and was an assistant at Male the past two seasons.

The Bulldogs will build around junior Taylor Hafling, one of the nation's top goalkeepers. Sweeper Michael Boone and defenders Chris Pesyan and Ben Miller, all seniors, also return.

No. 5 Manual lost to St. X in the 12th District and Sixth Region finals last season and should contend again this season with the return of senior Tony Wilbar, a first-team All-State pick last season. Coach Bob Ramsey has moved Wilbar from forward to defender to start the year.

Ramsey believes he has one of the state's top goalkeepers in senior Zach Torp.

No. 6 Oldham County is the defending Eighth Region champion and returns first-team All-State midfielder Jacob Kemper and honorable-mention All-State forward Sean Parker.

No. 7 Trinity lost to St. X in last year's state quarterfinals and returns All-State picks Lepe Seetane (first team) and Sunny Jane (second team).

No. 9 Kentucky Country Day lost nine starters off a 13-6-2 squad that won the All "A" Classic state title. Top players include senior attacker Wesley Ghasem and junior midfielders Daniel Mark (21 goals last season) and Matt Miller.

Others to watch

Atherton was 12-5-1 last year and should contend again in a deep 13th District.

Ballard was 9-11 last season and must replace honorable-mention All-Stater Jordan Skora.

Bullitt East lost just two varsity players from last season's 11-7-1 squad and returns junior Rob Daugherty, who scored 20 goals.

Butler is coming off a solid 13-3-3 season that saw it win the 11th District title.

Christian Academy finished 11-10-1 last season, and coach Doug Lucas expects Brian Swanson (seven goals, 14 assists in 2007), Jacob Shively, James Boehnlein and Austin Chitwood to be key contributors this year.

Collegiate reached the Seventh Region final last season, finishing 15-5-1, and returns strong players in Layth Masri, Ryan Miller, Charles Edwards, Max Burge and Nathan Webb.

DeSales has nine starters back, led by seniors Jacob Gregory and Sam Reider and junior Cody Arington.

Eastern, last year's 15th District champion, has 15 seniors this year. Cody Covert, Eric Shacklette, Ethan Oberhausen, Chris D'Aniello and Paul Heiniger lead the way.

First-year Fern Creek coach Diane Polley has six returning starters from last year's 14th District title team, led by seniors Anthony Blake, Nino Dalisay and Robin Diaz.

Holy Cross hopes to improve on last year's 4-11-1 record behind top offensive threat Jonathan McGraw.

North Oldham finished 9-9-3 last season and has an honorable-mention All-State player in Paul Althoff.

St. Francis looks to improve on a 1-17 season behind goalkeeper Michael Jonsson.

With 15 seniors, South Oldham should contend again after falling to Oldham County in last year's Eighth Region final.

Whitefield Academy finished 9-8-3 last season and should contend again in the 14th District.

BOYS' PREP SOCCER ROUNDUP: John Hardin, North Hardin, Fort Knox and North Hardin Christian all win

The News-Enterprise

Junior forward Grant Zigos recorded a hat trick to lead the John Hardin High School boys’ soccer team to an 8-0 rout of visiting 5th Region rival Bardstown on Tuesday.

Senior John Mullendore and junior forward Alex Dudley each scored two goals, while junior Kevin Stafford had three assists and one goal.

Matt Myers and Dudley had two assists and Zigos had one.

Junior goalkeeper Kyle Thomas didn’t face any shots on goal from the Tigers.

UP NEXT: John Hardin plays at Warren Central at 8 p.m. Thursday.

NORTH HARDIN 3, BULLITT EAST 0. Senior forward Marcellus Hobbs scored an unassisted goal in the 22nd minute, and junior keeper Michael Sears made it stand with 16 saves for the homestanding Trojans (1-0).

Junior forward Tyler Blankenship scored on an assist from Hobbs to give North Hardin a 2-0 lead, and senior midfielder Jacob Hughes tacked on the final goal.

The junior varsity game ended in a 1-1 tie.

UP NEXT: North Hardin plays host to North Oldham at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

FORT KNOX 7, LOUISVILLE FERN CREEK 2. Sophomore Chris Whitaker scored four goals to lead the visiting Eagles (1-0) to the win.

Seniors Gabriel Velez each had a goal and an assist, while sophomore Scott Heideman scored the other goal. Senior Kyle Spadie had two assists.

Junior keeper Dustin Nangle recorded eight saves.

UP NEXT: Fort Knox plays at 5th Region rival Bardstown at 7 p.m. Thursday.

NORTH HARDIN CHRISTIAN 7, HART COUNTY 0. Junior center midfielder David Torissi scored four goals as the homestanding Falcons (2-0) rolled to the win.

Senior stopper Haustin Kimbrough scored two goals and junior T.J. Maggiore scored one goal.

Sophomore keeper Ben Naething made three saves.

UP NEXT: North Hardin Christian plays at Lexington Trinity Christian at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

George Rogers Clark Soccer report

Danville 3 @ Corbin 0

It was the regular season opener for both teams on a beautiful night under the lights at the
Corbin football stadium. The Ads came in with a lot of question marks after losing 10 starters
from the 2007 squad that made it to the state tourney sub-sectionals. They answered at least a
few of these after a well played game that featured crisp passing, quality shooting and unselfish teamwork.

After controlling play early the Ads’ opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
Frosh Jake Winkler dribbled in from the left corner and as the defense collapsed,
chipped a pass to JC Davis who finished nicely. Davis struck again just 2 minutes later
after overlapping behind forward Kris Frey who deftly controlled a long outlet and made a perfect
feed that was buried low and just under the Corbin keeper. A counter attack down the left side from Junior Tucker Arnett set up the 3rd goal of the half. With 11 minutes left Arnett pushed the action and found midfielder Cole Steber just inside the 18. The senior calmly settled the ball and blasted a winner in the upper left quadrant.

Corbin regrouped in the second half and came out inspired. Their defense stiffened and prevented any further scoring. Unfortunately the offense could manage only a few quality opportunities. Several of these were wasted by repeated offsides violations, and those they did have were turned away by the swarming Danville defense of Louis Beto, Taylor Foster, Kyle Snapp and Karl Hempel. At least two obvious calls were missed, but were still handled by Ad keeper Byron Hempel who made brilliant stops of breakaway opportunities in both halves, and had several other nice saves to earn the shutout.

Next up for Danville is Taylor County. Corbin will face Ryle. Both teams could see each other again at the All A State Cup.

Final Score: Danville-3 Corbin-0

Records: Danville – 1-0-0; Corbin 0-1-0

Soccer: Danville defeats Corbin

Danville's boys opened their season with a 3-0 win at Corbin Monday at Corbin.

The Admirals, who lost 10 starters off last year's team that reached the state sub-sectionals, scored 17 minutes into the game. Freshman Josh Winkler dribbled in from the left corner and as the defense collapsed, chipped a pass to J.C. Davis who finished the play to score.

Davis struck again just two minutes later after overlapping behind forward Kris Frey, who controlled a long outlet and made a pass that Davis put just under the Corbin goalkeeper.

A counter attack down the left side from junior Tucker Arnett set up the third goal of the half. Arnett found midfielder Cole Steber just inside the 18-yard line with about 11 minutes left in the half, and Steber blasted a goal for a 3-0 lead.

Corbin's defense prevented the Admirals from scoring in the second half, but Danville's defense of Louis Beto, Taylor Foster, Kyle Snapp and Karl Hempel turned away its offense.

Danville keeper Byron Hempel also made two stops of breakaway opportunities in both halves, and had seven saves to earn the shutout against Corbin, which could face Danville again in the All "A" Classic.

The Admirals outshot Corbin 22-10.

Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2008

BOYS Soccer

The News Enterprise

CENTRAL HARDIN 3, LOUISVILLE BUTLER 0. Junior keeper Dakota Bowen made six saves as the homestanding Bruins (1-0) recorded a shutout in coach Mike Wiersema’s debut.

Junior Blaine Brawner gave Central Hardin a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute off an assist from senior Zack Laux.

The Bruins scored their final goals minutes apart in the second half as sophomore John Wallace scored on an assist from Brawner in the 51st minute and Laux scored off a pass from Wallace.

UP NEXT: Central Hardin plays at 5th Region rival Bardstown at 7 p.m. Aug. 26.

Taylor County 2, Larue county 1. The host Cardinals scored the game-winner with 5 minutes left.

With the Hawks (0-1) down 1-0, sophomore Dylan White tied the game off an assist from senior Bradley Dyson at the 7-minute mark after Taylor County scored 3 minutes earlier.

Junior Alex Wood and sophomore Bo Haun combined for 13 saves.

“The defense played extremely well,” said LaRue County coach Chuck Holloway.

LaRue County won the JV game, 5-3.

Henry Clay boys' soccer picked as city's best

By Jennifer Smith

jsmith3@herald-leader.com

Henry Clay graduated its leading goal scorer for the past two seasons. It lost its leading assists man, but it's still considered the team to beat in the city in soccer this season. “The powers that be snuck us in up there, didn't they?” Coach Tim Bernardi said of his team's pre-season No. 4 ranking by the state's coaches. “We're a good team; by the end of the season, we could definitely be a top-five team.”

But the end of the season is a long way away, and the start of the season is Monday. Even without Pierre Manga (the leading scorer) and Logan Matthews (the leading assists man), the Devils are strong.

They return all four defenders, who have been playing together as a unit for three straight seasons. Those defensive players, Jake Hender, Alec Foster, Andy Hoch and Daniel Barr, all set the tone for the Devils. Jordan Manley and Phillip Mabika are great set-up players, and the younger Phillip Manga will be counted on to score some goals.

Bernardi said his team is aware of the high ranking. “You've got to take it step by step,” he said. “Some people think it's a joke, and some people think it's life or death. We're just taking it as a compliment.”

The Devils coach said the parity in the city and region keeps any team from looking too far ahead into the post-season. “Any given night, one team can knock off another team,” Bernardi said. “Teams like Catholic, Dunbar, Tates Creek will all be strong. It's pretty much wide open right now.”

Paul Dunbar is ranked No. 8 in the pre-season, but the Bulldogs' coach, Todd Bretz, said his team is “top-20 at best. “We're just a fair team,” he said. “We really lack a lot of experience. ... We may end up being competitive, but it's going to take a little time if it does come around.”

Bretz's team, which was ranked in the top five most of last season, is still in a tough district with quality teams such as No. 18 Lexington Catholic and No. 20 Lexington Christian, as well as Lafayette, West Jessamine and East Jessamine.

That district might be further complicated by the number of new coaches. In the city alone, there are new coaches at Catholic (Greg Hilvers), LCA (Jim Tussey), Lafayette (Chris Grimm) and Sayre (Joe Porter). “It doesn't change things a whole lot,” Bretz said of the new faces. “These are still good programs with good teams and good players.”

Right now, though, the Devils are satisfied with being labeled as the city's best. Bernardi is happy with his team's work ethic and continuity. “You can just sense something good right now with this group,” Bernardi said. “They were proud of their pre-season ranking. We have to go out with a chip on our shoulder and have something to prove. We know a lot of teams are going to be gunning for us.”

Two Louisville schools grabbed the top spots in the coaches' pre-season poll with St. Xavier at No. 1 and Male at No. 2. Other area schools in the pre-season top 25 include No. 12 Woodford County, No. 13 Clark County, No. 14 West Jessamine, No. 17 Madison Central and No. 25 East Jessamine.

Boys' soccer: Scouting the city

Boys' 5th Region team reports

The News-Enterprise

Elizabethtown

Defending 4-Time District Champions

Soccer teams kick off season Monday

By JOHN VERSER
Glasgow Daily Times

Fall sports continue to kick into high gear as area soccer teams open their seasons this week.

The Glasgow girls open the season Monday with a 7 p.m. home match against Monroe County.

The Lady Scotties hope to turn things around from a 5-13-1 campaign a year ago.

“We have very high expectations this year,” Glasgow coach Lora Garrett said. “Our defense is solid and our goalie, Jessie Fant, is superb. She’s one of the best in the region.

“If we can get our forwards to gel as a unit we should be fine.”

Garrett said this year’s team has shown flashes thus far and is working on consistency.

“We’ve seen some great things and then some that are not so great,” Garrett said. “We’ve just got to put the pieces together.”

The Lady Scotties have four seniors on this year’s team - Fant, Jessica Tyree, Jessica Lynch and Kristina Hapney.

After hosting the Lady Falcons on Monday, the Lady Scotties travel to Grayson County on Wednesday and Taylor County on Friday.

The Barren County girls open the season Tuesday with a road match at Warren Central. The Trojanettes host Franklin-Simpson on Thursday. They were 9-6-1 last season and got their first-ever win over cross town rival Glasgow.

The Barren boys open up the 2008 season Tuesday with a 7 p.m. home contest against Monroe County. The Trojans are coming off an 11-8 campaign in 2007.

“We’ve got a young team, but they work hard and they’re willing to put in the necessary work to succeed,” Barren coach Laurence Nyekan said.

The Trojans have four seniors on this year’s team. They won their opening scrimmage, 4-2.

“We’re doing well and I think we’re ready for the season to begin,” Nyekan said.

Barren travels to Muhlenberg North on Thursday and will face Berea at Pulaski on Friday to round out the opening week.

Cols eye breakthrough season

By Kevin Patton

The Gleaner

A deeper, more experienced squad might give Brian Crafton the breakthrough season he's been looking for.

Crafton enters his fourth season as Henderson County's boys soccer coach. Each year the Colonels' record has hovered around the .500 mark but yet they have managed a strong run in the postseason.

The Colonels finished 7-08-5 last season and lost to Daviess County 2-1 in the first round of the Third Region Tournament.

Over the previous three seasons, Crafton's teams have compiled a 26-27-8 record.

"My first year we had a lot of talent, but when I took over I was looking ahead to this year being the first year that I really expected us to do something. We have the potential to really do something this year," he said.

Leading the offensive attack is senior Jordan Gregory, who topped the Colonels with 25 goals last season. Despite his 5-foot-6 frame, Gregory is strong enough to fight through opposing defenses. "He has good speed and is strong for his size," said Crafton, who touts Gregory as an all-state candidate.

Defenses will certainly key on Gregory but Crafton expects to have enough offensive weapons to make teams pay if they concentrate too heavily on Gregory, who could also shift to center-midfield.

Freshman Tyler Book could be one of those other offensive options as well as sophomore Brandon Potts, who saw significant time last year as a freshman. Potts will likely start at halfback but could also see time at striker.

The Colonels are also experienced in goal with senior Ryan Crooke, who is entering his third year as a starter. "He's very quick and athletic and a great leader as well," Crafton said. He will be backed up by freshman Logan Spencer.

In front of Crooke, Henderson County will boast a solid defense led by seniors Ryan Lingerfelt and Mitchell Mattingly. Crafton calls Lingerfelt, the sweeper, the team's most improved player. Mattingly will man the stopper position.

Senior Sam Burke and juniors Travis Baird and Lance Wilson are vying for the two fullback spots on defense.

Juniors Cole Childress and Caleb Mills will start at center midfield. Chldress is much improved, Crafton said, and scored two goals in a 5-2 win in the team's annual alumni scrimmage. "Caleb is probably our most skilled player in foot skills. He knows the game well and runs the field well," Crafton said.

Sophomore Colin Peters comes back from an injury-filled season and had a torn ACL following last season. An aggressive, skilled player, Peters will man an outside midfield spot.

Crafton expects a stronger bench than he's had in the past with seniors Andrew Filkins, Logan Broadhurst and Jesse Young, juniors Seth Crowley and Reece O'Nan, sophomore Ford Stuen, and freshmen Darwin Zeron and Jordan Lee being the other key reserves.

Henderson County opens its season Tuesday at Owensboro. The 15-game regular-season schedule includes the annual Colonel Soccer Classic on Sept. 20, which will feature Evansville Memorial, Indianapolis Brebeuf and Louisville Manual.

Prep soccer: Purples aiming high yet again
Greenwood hopes to knock BGHS from top

By MICHEAL COMPTON, The Daily News

With three straight Region 4 titles - and a state championship in 2006 - the Bowling Green boys’ soccer team has established itself as the team to beat in southcentral Kentucky.

Last year, Bowling Green overcame the loss of a senior-laden class to advance to the state semifinals for the third straight season, finishing with an impressive 19-5-2 record.

This year’s team returns almost a dozen seniors who will be leaned upon to ease the burden of graduation and preseason injuries.

“We have a lot of experience, but it’s not experience that is on the field,” BG coach Craig Widener said. “These kids have been playing behind other kids most of the time they’ve been here. We’re anxious to see who will step up and how they will act in the spotlight.”

BG’s biggest loss will be on offense, where the Purples must replace two of their top scorers and one of their top assist men.

Senior Omar Anaya, who scored nine goals last season, senior Ed Maldanado, who missed last season with an injury, and three-year starter Austin Greer will all be expected to contribute.

The Purples also have to overcome the loss - for perhaps much of the season - of senior keeper Cody Russell.

The three-year starter broke both bones in his leg during a club game, and Widener said he hopes to have Russell back by at least the postseason.

Without Russell, the Purples will lean on sophomore Charles Carpenter.

“He’s done a great job,” Widener said. “It’s probably best for him and our team overall to have him get that experience.”

Bowling Green will also be without Uriel Vargas, who was injured while driving in Mexico during the summer and is undergoing rehab in Chicago. The Purples have set up fundraisers to aid Vargas’ family and are hoping to have a “Uriel Vargas Night” at a home game sometime this season.

BG has also retired Vargas’ No. 24 until he is ready to return.

Injuries and graduation have left the Purples with plenty of questions, but Widener said he thinks his team is ready for another tough challenge in the district and the region.

“Our district and region get stronger every single year,” Widener said. “We’ve got more kids playing on their own in the offseason and when they show up to play they are in great shape. I think as time goes on it is going to get tougher and tougher to win games in the district and region.”

Greenwood (17-5-2)

The Gators were nearly perfect in region play last year, but lost three of four games to Bowling Green, including the district and region championship games.

Greenwood returns 13 seniors but still must find midfielders to replace a senior class that included Austin Reed and Mark Lacy.

“It’s a chance for other people to step up,” Greenwood coach Scott Gural said. “So far, so good, but we still have a long way to go.”

The offense and defense is pretty much set with seniors Josh Settle and Sean McCarney up front and senior keeper Eric Bowers anchoring the defense.

The returning class is cause for high expectations at Greenwood, but Gural knows that ultimately his team’s legacy will be determined in the postseason.

“The problem is you have to get out of your own back yard,” Gural said. “Until we can prove that we can beat them when it counts, Bowling Green is still the team to beat. That is a big monkey to toss.”

Warren Central (12-5)

The Dragons look to build on last season with first-year head coach Kyle Alford, who coached at Moss Middle School the last two years.

Alford, who replaces Janko Emedi, said there has been growing pains, but he likes the strides his team has made in the preseason.

“There has been quite a bit of adjustment on both sides,” Alford said. “The freshmen and sophomores played for me at Moss, so they were used to me. The juniors and seniors - it took some getting used to.”

Alford will have senior keeper Mirel Hasanovic to anchor the defense. Senior Mirsad Nuhanovic also will provide experience.

Warren Central will rely on a pair of freshmen - Evan Breakfield and Joseph Reyes - who Alford worked with at Moss.

Alford said he likes his mix of players and believes there is no reason why the Dragons can’t build on last season’s success.

“I think we are a really talented team,” Alford said. “We are slowly coming together. The team is practicing real well. I think we have a good chance of competing with all the teams around here this season.”

Warren East (2-10-2)

Expectations are also high for the Raiders, who hope to improve under second-year coach Michael Weidman.

“We started to get on the right track last year,” Weidman said. “They’ve grown a lot in the offseason and taken leaps and bounds as far as the talent is concerned. I’ve got pretty good expectations for this year. I think we are going to surprise some people.”

Senior captain Tyler Ghee and Manuel Ortiz will be asked to provide leadership, while the Raiders will look to freshman Diego Ortiz to replace Joe Lowe at keeper.

“He’s got great reaction to the ball,” Weidman said. “He still has some learning to do, but as far as goal-keeping ability he is insane for a ninth grader.”

Warren East will play this season with heavy hearts after assistant coach Josh Martin was killed in a motorcycle accident in June.

The Raiders have dedicated the season to Martin. A pregame ceremony will honor the late coach prior to Tuesday’s opener against Warren Central.

Cynthia Democrat Online

The Harrison County Thorobreds soccer team will have its second and final pre-season scrimmage tomorrow night as they host Bluegrass United beginning with a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. The varsity match will kick-off at 7.

The Breds lost their annual pre-season match against the Harrison County soccer alumnus last week, 6-3.

HCHS coach Nick Hill was not disappointed with his team�s performance, though.

�Our alumni are always pretty good,� said Hill. �I can�t remember the last time the high school team beat them. We have a young team this year and will improve throughout the course of the season. I like the way they are practicing right now and think we have a chance to have a pretty good team.�

Harrison County opens regular season play on the road on Aug. 18 against district rival Pendleton County. The varsity contest is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m

Lyons will have to overcome roster hurdle

Herald Ledger

Lyons coach Louis Phelps knows this season could be more of a challenge than the defending district champions have faced in recent years. The Lyons open this season with a scrimmage tonight (Wednesday) and will field 13 players on a team consisting mostly of underclassmen.
Due to low turnout numbers and the need to move younger players up, there will be no junior varsity squad this year.
Still, Phelps is optimistic.
“If we pull together we should stay competitive in our district,” Phelps said. “I think we’ll have around a .500 season.... It’s really hard. Evan (Gilland) and I have ideas, but we can’t practice them.”
To do that the Lyons have to face teams with an edge in experience.
“We have three seniors, no juniors, two sophomores and the rest freshmen,” said Louis Phelps, the Lyons head coach.
Despite the short roster, Lyon has a pair of strong, versatile returning starters in James Russell Smothermon and Landon McLeod. Smothermon and McLeod can both be moved around on defense or moved up to create scoring opportunities.
“Landon might be put up to a forward defense so we can generate more goals,” Phelps said.
Fellow varsity returnees are Dylan Hornback, Nick McKinney and Alex Bugg, who all saw time last season. The program lost seven to graduation from last year’s roster of 13. While the head count has stayed the same, this year’s varsity team will have to rely on players with little junior varsity experience.
But even those who have played at the varsity level haven’t had much time to prepare with their teammates.
“We still haven’t had a full formation yet,” Phelps said. “We have our first scrimmage (Wednesday) without everyone having been here yet.”
Lyon County’s goal could be the biggest question mark at the start of the season Houston Cruce, who Phelps projects to start in the box, is untested at the varsity level.
“This is his first year to play with us,” Phelps said. “He played goalie for his U10 team and then he switched to midfield for U12.
“We’re going to try and work on a contained defense. The more we have the ball the less they have time to shoot.”
The Lyons used a similar approach last season with possession control. Lyon went 7-13 overall last season, but played a roster loaded with teams from the First and Third Regions. In district play, Lyon went 6-2 overall while defending the district title 2-0 over Caldwell.
Landon Reed, Collin Timmons, Landon Norman, Hunter Thomas, Charles Smith, Josh Polk and Landon Aycock will move up from junior varsity.
Numbers have been a growing problem for the program, despite its continued success. Lyon seemed to turn a corner during 2004 when the team went 19-4 and advanced to the finals of the Class A state tournament, the longest tournament run of any team in the school’s history. But the turnout has continued to drop since then.
“Last year we noticed a huge drop,” Phelps said. “We went to the school and talked to the middle school kids.... We haven’t had any show up.”
Lyon will open the season August 19 at Union County and will begin All “A” tournament play August 22 against University Heights Academy. The Lyons first home game will be August 26 when they host Reidland.

Eagles win 5-2 in soccer scrimmage

By ALLY BURTNER

Turret Staff Writer

The Fort Knox High boys soccer team had a chance to see how team members worked together Saturday in a scrimmage against North Bullit High.

While the squad has been conditioning all summer long to get in game shape and become familiar with playing styles, it was the first test of their hard work. They passed. The Eagles won 5-2.

“It was a good game,” said coach Alex Molina. “The kids played hard. And this was a chance to see how everyone fit in the team, as far as positioning is concerned.”

Many players are being worked into vacant positions which were created by players from last season who did not return. So trying to find a playing position that works with each athlete’s talent has been an interesting task.

“The (rotating) positions worked well and we played really well (together),” said Chris Whitaker. “We passed the ball quickly and moved it through really well.”

If anyone was uncomfortable or uncertain in their position, it surely wasn’t the three scorers: Charlie Davidson scored three, AJ Limin chalked up one, and Kyle Speide added one.

The coaches were pleased not only with the team, but also the support shown at the game.

“We had a lot of parents watching the game and the girls soccer team came out,” said Molina. “It was great support.”

The next scrimmage will be held on the soccer field next to Pierce Elementary tomorow at 7 p.m. against Barren County.

“Our team is (really) coming together,” said Chris DeLeon. “If we keep communicating we should walk away with a win.”

Soccer Tigers claim preseason tilt 2-1

Times Leader Staff Report

The Tiger soccer team will head into the regular season next week off a win in its final preseason scrimmage.

Austin Phelps put home a rebound shot in the second half to lift Caldwell County to a 2-1 victory over Paducah Tilghman Tuesday night at Butler Stadium.

“Jesse Sherrill got off a rocket from about 15 yards out and Austin was there to pick up the trash,” noted Caldwell head coach Alan Shaffer.

“We played a lot better than we did against the Alumni (in a 6-1 loss), but I think that’s par for the course,” he added. “We’re trying to learn something new and we’re trying to pick things up. I think this one’s a lot easier to learn than what we were trying to learn last season.

“We have come a long way as far as moving the ball and our defense is getting better.”

The Tigers are employing a new system this season that’s “based on counter attacking,” said Shaffer. “We’re not as worried about possession. I think this system is tailor made for the players we have.”

Sherrill tallied Caldwell’s first goal in its final scrimmage outing against Tilghman as the teams battled to a 1-1 deadlock at halftime.

Tilghman took the junior varsity tilt 5-0.

The Tigers will open the regular season on Tuesday when they host Reidland at Butler Stadium.

The Caldwell County Tiger and Lady Tiger soccer teams will both be previewed in a special section in Saturday’s Times Leader.

Rockets Soccer Drops LexCath 1-0

By Todd Martin/Sentinel-News Sports Editor

The Shelby County boys' soccer team is gaining confidence by the day, and the season hasn't even started yet.

The Rockets played their first preseason scrimmage Thursday, topping Lexington Catholic 1-0 on the road. "I didn't think we were great, but the guys kept fighting and fighting and didn't let (Lexington Catholic) have anything easy," first-year head coach B.J. Andriot said.

A late switch in the team's formation to strengthen the team's midfield made the difference. Andriot added a midfielder and the Rockets started to take control. "I thought their midfield was stronger than ours, but the switch led to a free kick from about 35-or 40-yards out with about five minutes to play," he said.

From there Matt Nakatani took over. The junior uncorked a shot off the free kick, burying it in the back of the net. "He ripped a great shot," Andriot said. "I wasn't even expecting him to shoot it, I thought he would loft in for somebody to get a head on, but the goalie never had a chance. It was just fantastic."

LexCath tried to answer just seconds later, but goalie David Breen came up huge. "They had a guy dribble through about three guys and get a good look from point blank, but David Breen dove and literally saved it with his finger tips," Andriot said. "He had a few really nice saves in the game."

Andriot said he was also impressed with Hagan Smith's defensive work in the middle, and his team's overall grit in the game. "I didn't think we played as well as we could have, but the way the guys fought throughout the entire game was really good to see," he said. "We still have a lot to work on, but I think we can play with anybody, and we have a real shot to win Saturday (against Trinity in the Rocket Soccerama) and Tuesday (at St. Xavier) against the best team in the state."

Soccerama

The Rockets will open the annual Rocket Soccerama Saturday morning at 11 a.m. against state power Trinity.

The Shamrocks lost 2-0 to eventual state champion St. X in the state tournament last year, finishing the season with a 16-8-1 record.

Andriot said he expects Trinity to be just as good, if not better, this year. "They're a very good team and it should be a great test for us," he said. "But I definitely think we have a great chance to win."

Andriot also noted that Trinity will bring two of the state's top players to the SCHS athletic complex. "If you want to see two big time NCAA and (Major League Soccer) players, then come out on Saturday," he said.

Andriot described Lepekola Seetane and Tsotleho Jane as "amazing players that can go anywhere they want on the next level."

The Rocket JV team will cap off the Soccerama day at 7 p.m. with a game against Fairdale.

Rocket Soccerama schedule

The Rocket Soccerama games will all be played at the SCHS athletic complex.

11 a.m. - SCHS v Trinity

12:30 p.m. - North Oldham JV v Trinity JV

2:30 p.m. - North Oldham v Doss

4 p.m. - Bethlehem JV v Brown JV

5:30 p.m. - Bethlehem v Brown

7 p.m. - SCHS JV v Fairdale

Photo by Peter W. Zubaty
Junior Nick McCarty (24) was one of many Bardstown players who got significant playing time as a youngster during the team's injury-plagued 2007. The Tigers are hoping for a more healthy 2008 under new head coach Shire Morgan-Hunt.

Tigers begin new era with new coach

By Bill Norris/Special To The Standard

Similar to last season, the Bardstown Tigers will be young.
Last season was a trying one for the Tigers as they suffered a myriad of injuries and were never at full power. The positive from that is the returning players were able to gain experience at numerous positions on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field. With a team that is small in numbers — they will have 17 players — that versatility will be a must.
Leading the Tigers this year will be head coach Shire Morgan-Hunt, who steps up from her assistant coach position, taking over for Aaron Boggs. This is her third year with the program, and so far the transition to the head coaching job has been a smooth one.
“I think because I was here before they already know that I know what I am talking about and they can learn from me,” she said. “I could not be happier with how they have adjusted.”
The Tigers will need to learn on the go, as Morgan-Hunt wants to eventually go with an aggressive approach on the defensive end of the field, where a majority of her youngsters will get playing time.
“It is a complicated system and that is a lot for them,” she said of her defensive scheme. “We are kind of taking it slow, but I want to do that because it is more of a team defense and it puts less pressure on the back four.”
Captains Jonathan Wood and Jonathon Spalding, both seniors, will be looked to for solid leadership for the team. Morgan-Hunt has worked with Spalding since his sophomore year and likes the great field awareness and vision he brings to the team. Spalding thinks the Tigers will have more offensive punch this season.
“I think we have more players with a higher skill level starting this year, so I think our offense will look a lot better than last year.”
Wood came to the team last season and has displayed the readiness and attitude needed to lead the team this season.
“I think I just need to keep working,” he said of his leadership approach. “If the younger players see that they will keep working.”
Jacob Leachman and Jonathan Kays are two of those skilled players who will be called on for offense and team leadership. Adam Kahleifeh leads a solid junior class. Kahliefeh was one of the team’s better ballhandlers last year. Ben Howell returns at one forward spot while the hard-working Paul Lanham should see significant time. Nick McCarty will likely fill one of the midfield slots. Another junior, Yoshi Shirokawa, was showing solid skills in goal until a recent injury put him on the sidelines for a few weeks. Freshman Justin Hubbard has stepped in at the keeper slot and has shined, and Ben Beam and Devin Riffe have also impressed.
Bardstown went 5-11 last season, falling 2-1 to North Bullitt in the first round of the 9th District tournament. The Tigers start their season Aug. 19 at John Hardin.

Photo by Casey Castle
East Jessamine’s Sam Cage scored once as the Jaguars rolled over Bourbon County, 5-0.

East soccer blanks Bourbon

By Casey Castle
sports@jessaminejournal.com

After a back-and-forth first half that saw neither team score, the Jaguars put five in the goal in the second half. Cameron Miller started the scoring in the fourth minute of the second half off an assist by Salvador Carmona. It would be the first of two assists for Carmona. Four minutes later, Cody Blue found the back of the net to extend East’s lead to 2-0. In the 24th minute, Sam Cage made it 3-0, and just two minutes later fellow senior, Michael Small pushed one past the keeper. Small’s goal was assisted by Carmona. Small added the game’s final goal in the 28th minute off a penalty kick.

The scrimmage allowed East Coach Eric Lichaa to work in a number of players at different positions. The game revealed a level of depth for the young Jaguars. “We went deeper than we usually do,” he said. “Of course, we got a good lead which gave us an opportunity to try some different things out. A few of them stood out, and I think they’ll be able to contribute.”

Bourbon’s offense got the Jaguar defense to bend in the first half but could never get anything past the Jaguars and keeper Taylor Higgs. In the second half, the East defenders were rarely threatened as they watched their offense pour it on.

“First half, we were just unlucky, hit a cross bar, hit a post, we just didn’t finish well,” Lichaa said. “But I think as the game progressed, we figured out how to beat their keeper. “Their keeper was an excellent player. We figured out how to beat him, and that really was the difference in being able to put it on there in the second half.”

The Jaguars open their regular-season schedule next Tuesday on the road against Woodford County. The team’s home-opener will be Aug. 21 against Scott County.

Copyright: The Jessamine-Journal 2008 "

Eagles have high hopes

Photo by Peter W. Zubaty
Braden Hurst (4) missed much of last season with a knee injury. The senior is healthy this year, and he's part of a deep senior class that will look to help Bethlehem improve upon last year's 15-4-2 district championship club.

By Bill Norris/Special To The Standard

Blessed with an especially deep senior class, the Bethlehem Eagles have a shot at recapturing the glory of two years ago.
The relatively inexperienced 2007 squad lost a number of key starters from the state quarterfinalist and “All A” State Cup championship team of 2006, but exceeded expectations by winning the school’s fourth straight district title and advancing to the 5th Region tournament in a 15-4-2 campaign. With a majority of their starters coming back, the Eagles look for another deep postseason run.
“Our goal is to advance to the ‘All A’ Classic state tournament and then win district,” Bethlehem coach Dzevad Kreso said. “It would be big for us, such a small school to achieve these goals.”
Once again, the Eagles will come with a strong defense; they allowed just 10 goals last season. The back line of the defense is led by seniors Ben Spalding and Jacob Allgeier.
“Jacob and Ben, those two are really good leaders,” Kreso said. “They are stepping up and taking the position of leader, which is very important to the team.”
The last line of defense is senior goalkeeper Logan Mudd. Mudd posted 16 shutouts last season, second most in the state.
“The back line is really a good crew,” Mudd said. “Everybody really plays their part and helps each other out.”
On the offensive front the Eagles return both forwards in senior Zack Wychulis and sophomore Jared Wolfe, who last year teamed with senior midfielder Patrick Medley to give the Eagles a strong offensive punch. Kreso has seen the trio improve over last year as all three have matured and gotten physically stronger in the offseason. Medley will continue to handle the ball and keep the same approach that created the Eagles offense last season.
“I just look for holes in the defense and get it up there to Zack and Jared or Braden (Hurst) if he is up there.” Medley said. “All three of them are capable of scoring.”
Hurst will be a welcome addition to the offense after the senior missed last season with a knee injury. He’s fully recovered. Kreso likes the intangibles Hurst brings with his upbeat attitude, and Wychulis thinks Hurst will be a big boost to the midfield rotation.
“He is real aggressive on the ball, not afraid of contact at all,” Wychulis said. “He will help in winning the transition ball.”
Facing the Eagles will be a daunting schedule littered with several ranked teams, including trips to Bowling Green for the Purples Classic and the Male Bulldog Cup where they could face preseason No. 1 St. Xavier.
“We have been waiting for this year for a long time. We have high hopes,” Medley said.
The Eagles kick off their season Aug. 19 against Eastern at Lally Field.

Alumni run past outmanned Tigers in annual scrimmage
A deep Alumni squad took advantage of a undermanned Tiger varsity squad to ...

By Todd Griffin

The Tigers’ Travis McIntosh leaps over a sliding Adam Ball of the Alumni squad during Tuesday’s scrimmage at Butler Stadium. Caldwell will host Paducah Tilghman for its final preseason outing Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The Times Leader Online

A deep Alumni squad took advantage of a undermanned Tiger varsity squad to claim a 6-1 decision in Tuesday’s soccer scrimmage at Butler Stadium.

Cody Hooks gave the current group of Tigers a 1-0 lead when he sneaked a shot inside the near post early on. But the rest of the night belonged to the team of former CCHS players.

Rhett Miller finished the night with two goals for the Alumni, which led 3-1 at halftime on the way to the triumph.

Dean Sears, Jordan Singleton, Kyle Winn and Ramone each added goals for the Alumni squad.

“It’s not like we played a slouch team — that’s some of the best players to come out of our program,” noted Tiger head coach Alan Shaffer. “I’m not happy we lost to them 6-1, but you’ve got to remember it’s a scrimmage. You want to find the adjustments you need to make and see what you need to work on.”

Shaffer said his squad was handicapped by only having four substitutes while the Alumni squad had 22 players available.

“That’s two full squads. Every 10 minutes or so they were able to switch out,” said the Tiger skipper. “A couple of them made the comment that we didn’t pressure the ball and let them turn too easy. But by the second half we were worn out. That’s just something we’re going to have to get ready for though.”

A pair of key injuries will likely leave Caldwell shorthanded throughout the 2008 season.

Sophomores Riley Stephens and Nick Armstrong are both out with leg injuries. Armstrong may return by the district tournament but Stephens is expected to miss the entire season.

“Most definitely that would have made a difference because they both probably would’ve started,” said Shaffer.

The Tigers will play their final scrimmage on Tuesday when they host Paducah Tilghman.

The regular season begins the following Tuesday, Aug. 19, when Caldwell entertains Reidland.

Scrimmage score - 8/8/08

Elizabethtown 3 - Louisville Collegiate 1

Battle of the Bullitts

8/23/08

Bullitt East vs. Bullitt Central vs. North Bullitt

May the Best Bullitt Win

Soccer: Steber must give Danville leadership

By HAL MORRIS
hmorris@amnews.com

Cole Steber is the only returning starter for Danville and will have to shoulder more of a scoring role for the Admirals this season. (Clay Jackson photo)

When Cole Steber looks around at his Danville teammates this season, he doesn't see as much of a who's who, but more of a who's that. The Admirals lost 11 starters off their state quarterfinal soccer team. Steber is the only starter back, and the only returning player who has significant varsity experience. "It's just going to be so different because I'm used to playing with those guys (who graduated), and we had chemistry and knew how they played ball," the senior said. "I figured out how everyone plays, knowing what they're capable of. "There's just going to be a lot of younger players. We had 11 seniors last year, and we're going to have a lot of younger guys on the field taking up roles guys held for three or four years." A lot of the responsibility for making sure everyone is on the same page will fall on Steber and his four other senior teammates. "We've got to take up the new leadership roles and work together. We have to get the team to work hard all the time like the seniors last year did. They held the team together," Steber said. "Now we just have to figure out how to get the team to do what I know we can."

Danville coach Brent Beauman is counting on Steber to make sure the Ads mold into a solid team. "He's the one with the most varsity experience. His leadership, his making sure we're doing things at practice, making sure we're in our positions is key," Beauman said. "We're really going to rely on people playing their positions better instead of just being out there running around everywhere because we're not going to be as individually talented as last year. So it's going to have to come from the team concept." But it's not just leadership and helping the younger players along Steber has to worry about. He's also expected to take on more of the scoring load. He did score both goals in the Ads' win over Corbin for a berth in the Elite Eight last year, so scoring isn't a completely foreign concept to him.

Now, he's just expected to do it more often. "I'm definitely going to have to try to finish better. I'll probably play center mid(fielder). I need to be better on the attack," he said. "Besides that, I just have to get better at marking (on defense), holding the center of the field to keep the center from getting attacked."

Cole Steber, left, knows he not only has to be a scorer this year, but that his defense against top players also must improve. (Clay Jackson photo)

Motivating the team

With all of the losses Danville suffered, there is naturally not a lot expected out of the team this season. That is a challenge Steber thinks can motivate the youthful Ads. "If we could get some early goals in games, it will be a good thing for us," he said. "I think a lot of people underestimate us. We've heard the stories that we've lost so many people. ... I think we can overcome that and use it to our advantage. "We've just got to take it all out on the field every game. We've got to work as a team and use each other and not just rely on our individual skills."

Personally, Steber would love nothing more than proving the doubters wrong. "I love just playing every year. But this year it will be really cool to see how I can get the team together and push forward and be all we can be. We've got high goals and we've got to go out and achieve them," he said.

Danville glance

Coach: Brent Beauman

2007 record: 18-5-2

Top returnees: Cole Steber, Sr., MF; Kris Frey, Sr., F; Kyle Snapp, Sr., D; John Clay Davis, Sr., F; Taylor Foster, Sr., D; Louis Beto, Jr., D; Mex Meckes, So., MF.

Analysis: It will be a completely new team that will take the field for the Admirals this season. Steber is the lone starter back and will be counted on heavily for leadership and scoring.

Beauman, in his second season leading Danville, said he will have to employ new formations and figure out just how to make up for the loss of 11 starters off last year's Elite Eight squad. Beauman said Kris Frey organized offseason workouts and emerged as another leader for the Ads. Handling the unknown and seeing how players thrown into the mix respond will be the keys for Danville.

Coach's comment: "We're kind of hoping that everybody looks past us a lot because of our inexperience and our age. Hopefully, by postseason we'll be ready to go and excited about the year. There's something about the Admiral water that gets them ready. We have a lot of school pride, so they will come out ready to play."

Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2008

Greenwave soccer ready to run

By SAM MORRISON

The Greenwave soccer team is poised to make a run at a district and regional title.

A team comprises a group of people linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his strengths and minimize his weaknesses.

With a great balance of juniors and seniors, the Meade County Greenwave soccer team is poised to make a run at a district and regional title.

“We have six seniors and seven or eight juniors that make up the core of this year’s team,” Coach Matt Pollock said. “Our district and region is very balanced, and any team can win against each other on any given night.”

Even with experience, the Greenwaves have an offensive void left by Rob Williams’ graduation. Williams scored 27 goals last year, and Pollock sees that as the only unknown for this year’s team.

“Defensively we have almost everyone back from last year,” Pollock said. “Losing a goal scorer like Rob is going to be hard to replace, but I feel that our young kids will step up and give us the offense that we need to win ballgames.”

Pollock also believes that one advantage his team has is that they are a very close knit bunch.

“All of these kids are friends and hang out off the field whether it is conditioning or just being friends. These kids have grown up together, playing soccer together, and they are a very fun bunch to coach.”

Classes clash

By Bill Thiry

The George Rogers Clark High School boys’ soccer team held its annual alumni game Friday night at the Cardinal Soccer Complex. Above, Julio Peon, class of 2006, falls to his knees laughing as Scott Flinchum (class of 2002) heads up field after stealing the ball from Peon. At left, Ryan McCord (class of 2007) steps in front of Clark coach Greg Dyk to steal the ball. The event brings players together from the past and present.

Copyright:The Winchester Sun 2008

PREP SOCCER: Central boys getting used to new coach (8/7)

Central Hardin boys' soccer coach Mike Wiersema conducts try-outs in mid-July at the high school.

Photo by Jill Pickett

By CHUCK JONES

cjones@thenewsenterprise.com

CECILIA — Every new coach has a different way of doing things, and the Central Hardin boys’ soccer team is finding that out during preseason practices. Mike Wiersema is teaching the Bruins his way after they had been accustomed to Derek Willis, who led the team for five years.

“We’re playing soccer, but it’s a lot different,” said Central Hardin senior Ryan Ortiz, one of only two returning senior starters. “We’re doing different type of drills and we’re learning a new way of doing things. We focus more on the little things. The fundamentals are stressed a lot more.”

While the drills and the system Wiersema has implemented are new to players, it’s not the only new things. Wiersema has started a weight lifting program, which Ortiz said has made a difference. The biggest change might be Wiersema’s rapport with his players.

“When you made a mistake, Derek would tell you and everybody knew it,” Ortiz said. “Sometimes he would make us run in the middle of practice. Coach Wiersema stops practice, but he talks to you. He handles it differently. Coach Wiersema is an easy-going guy as long as you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.”

Through all the changes, though, one thing has remained the same for the Bruins, who are coming off a 5-7-6 season. “We’re playing a new system and we’re still learning what he wants, but we’re still expected to work hard,” Central Hardin senior Nick Laux said. “He wants us to work our butts off. He wants everyone to become whatever they can be.”

Wiersema came to Central Hardin after making high school coaching stops in Tennessee, South Carolina and most recently Texas as well as coaching Alderson Broaddus College, a NAIA school in West Virginia. He has compiled more than 400 victories.

“They’ve come a long way in the last three weeks,” Wiersema said. “I can’t say how pleased I am because I don’t know the level of competition in the area. They have grown used to me and I’ve grown used to them.

“Coach Willis is a very good coach,” he added. “But we’re very different. We’re doing some of the same things, but we’re doing some things a little different. Every day we’re getting adjusted a little better. It’s been good. The players have worked hard, the staff has welcomed me and the community has been great.”

One unforeseen change under Wiersema has been how the team has come together during the preseason.

“We’re a whole lot closer than we’ve been in the past,” Laux said. “We have a long way to go (on the field), but our chemistry is much better. If we stay together, we could make a run. I’m not saying we’re going to win district or region. Let’s just say we could.”

Knight soccer team reloading for fall campaign

Jacob Giles battles for a ball during an inter-squad scrimmage last week as the Marion County soccer team prepares for its upcoming season.

Photo by Doug Thomas
By Doug Thomas

Lebanon Enterprise Online

Knight soccer coach Greg Conley has many expectations for this upcoming fall campaign. Not the least of those is the birth of a new baby girl midway through the season.

The Marion County coach has outlined some lofty milestones for his third season at the Knight helm especially considering his team lost 10 outstanding players to graduation.

The fact that Conley can be so optimistic represents the stability of the Knight soccer program these days. Like many of the established soccer programs across the state, Marion County just reloads with a talented group year in and year out.

According to Conley, it says a lot about the health of this program.

"It's a good feeling to know that we now have to regroup brackets of tournaments because teams don't want to face us," he said. "That's what some coaches were commenting about this summer, the fact that our soccer program has become consistently good every year in such a short time."

Last season, Marion County finished with an overall record of 11-8-3, but just missed advancing to the state tournament. After winning its first regional game, Marion County lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Danville in a shoot-out for the regional title.

Despite rebuilding much of his starting lineup this season, Conley was impressed with the team's opening scrimmage, a 4-0 whitewash of district foe Lincoln County on Saturday.

Earlier in the summer, Marion County earned a runner-up finish in the Centre College camp against many of the finer teams in this area.

"We've been moving the ball around the field really well," Conley said. "We just need to step up the intensity. I'm waiting for our leaders of this team to rise to the top."

One of those expected to lead is goalkeeper Evan Carter, who returns to the starting rotation after suffering a devastating knee injury one year ago. Carter presents a big obstacle for opposing forwards and demonstrates time after time some gutsy decision-making between the posts.

Conley expects striker Evan Childers to have a breakout season this fall. Childers cracked the starting lineup in just his freshman season and now will be expected to carry more of the offensive load.

Teammate Cody Smith provides the team with a powerful left foot on the wing and senior Derrick Cissell returns after a serious hip injury sustained in action last year.

Team captain Chris Southall displayed his versatility last season, subbing for the injured Carter in the goal and performing admirably. Instead of deflecting shots away from the goal this season, the senior will be knocking shots into the net as a front line attacker.

"He is one talented athlete," Conley said. "We can stick him anywhere in the lineup and he would be productive. He asked to be moved up to the front this year and he's earned that opportunity scoring two goals in our first scrimmage. Chris has really matured and we're counting on him to provide some leadership to this team."

Conley is a stickler for defense, however, and is typically more enthused about a 1-0 victory than a seven-goal scoring spree.

Junior Josh Reed has impressed his coach with his ability to grasp the intricacies of the sweeper position. Newcomer Corey Lee has earned early praise for his defense and may land the role of stopper, a position vital to Conley's defensive scheme.

Several different players are competing for this back line of the defense.

"The players know that once I choose the ones for that defense, they won't be coming out. So it's pretty competitive for those spots," Conley said.

In the midfield, Marion County will likely utilize a myriad of combinations including Jonathan Livers, Mark Corbett, Carlos Guzman, Alex Spalding, Ryan Haley and Jon Peter Lee.

Youngsters Christian Carmona, Joseph Elder and Michael Southall have given Conley some more optimism about the team's future. Carmona has an opportunity to be only the second freshman to earn a starting role under Conley.

Conley considers the district race to be a toss-up. Perennial powerhouse Danville was hit hard by graduation, so the Knight coach expects Boyle County and Mercer County to be the top contenders along with his squad for the top spot.

Along the way, Marion County will compete in a tournament hosted by Lexington Lafayette, Conley's former team, and

Marion County hosts its own tournament the week of Ham Days in late September. Teams from North Hardin, Meade County and Scott High from Northern Kentucky will battle for the Marion County Cup.

The match against Nelson County on Aug. 19 presents a grueling opener to the season, a team that defeated the Knights in the championship of the Centre Camp.

Soccer: Family affair -- Two fathers coaching sons at Mercer Co.

The Mercer County boys soccer team has two players whose fathers are assistant coaches. The father-son combos are, from left, Sterling Shannon, Tim Shannon, Dale Chadwick and Kyle Chadwick. (Mike Marsee photo)

By MIKE MARSEE
marsee@amnews.com

HARRODSBURG - There's nothing unusual about a father coaching his son. In fact, most youth leagues probably wouldn't survive without the contributions of parents willing to coach their children. It doesn't happen as often in high school, but it's still a common occurrence when sons play for their fathers. What's unusual this season at Mercer County, however, is that the coaching staff includes the fathers of two of the Titans. Neither Dale Chadwick nor Tim Shannon is in charge - both work under head coach Joey Holt - but both are very much involved with the team their teen-age sons, senior Kyle Chadwick and junior Sterling Shannon, play for. "Sometimes it can good, sometimes it can be bad," Kyle Chadwick said.

But there is surely more good than bad because both fathers have been among the leaders in the local soccer community for more than a decade. "Both of these guys have really done a lot for soccer in Mercer County over the years," Holt said.

For the time being, they're trying to help improve the fortunes of the Titans. "I think there'll be a big step up this year," Dale Chadwick said. "We've got a group of kids that's been playing together since they were about 10," added Tim Shannon. That includes their two sons, who were part of a team that both men coached that was a state runner-up at the under-12 level.

While playing for their fathers might result in some extra criticism here and there, the sons are glad to have them alongside. "It's a good thing just to have him here, and he helps out in every way he can," Sterling Shannon said.

That may be the biggest thing Holt appreciates . "They've been a huge help," he said. "We've got 30 kids, and there's no way I could do this by myself."

Move to Mercer sparks soccer involvement

Dale Chadwick's involvement with Mercer soccer began when his family moved to Mercer County 11 years ago. Three of his four children, Kyle and older brothers Jason and Kenton, played for Mercer, and he coached the latter two in middle school. He moved up to the high school level three years ago when Mercer merged with Harrodsburg.

Tim Shannon's two daughters, Sky and Sagan, played for Harrodsburg before the merger, and Sagan played the last two years for Mercer while her father served as an assistant coach there. He was also Harrodsburg's middle school coach for three years. "Both of these guys have really done a lot for soccer in Mercer County over the years," Holt said.

Tim Shannon and wife Sonya have headed the Mercer Youth Soccer Association for several years, and he has coached several rec league and indoor teams. "I'm a terrible spectator," he said. "I don't like that side of the field." Dale Chadwick works as a referee, officiating everything from high school games to league competition. He plays in a Lexington-based adult league with a team from Harrodsburg's Hitachi plant, where he works.

Both men got involved in the game at a time when it wasn't firmly established in the local sports community. "Without myself and Tim and some other people, I think it would've gone by the wayside," Dale Chadwick said. At Mercer, the two coaches said the high school program is stronger than ever three years after the school merger, which they and their sons said went smoothly within the soccer team because many of the best players were already playing together. "Whenever we played rec or middle school with each other, we were friends but still really competitive," Kyle Chadwick said. "Being able to come together and play with the high school team is really beneficial."

Only three players, including two starters, graduated from last year's team that went 7-11, so there are high hopes that this might be one of the Titans' best seasons ever. "You know everybody's strengths and weaknesses on the whole team, and you know what to count on from which players," Kyle Chadwick said. Neither man is planning to step away from the game any time soon. Dale Chadwick said he'll likely leave the Mercer staff after son Kyle graduates, but he plans to stay involved with officiating.

Tim Shannon figures to be with the Titans for at least one more year, and he said he'll probably be part of the Mercer youth program long after that. "I've got a 3-year-old grandchild who'll be playing soon," he said.

For the time being, the two men are enjoying their last chance to coach any of their children, and Holt said they handle it well. "I imagine it can be difficult to coach your own kids, but they do a good job with it," he said. "They do a pretty good job of keeping everything even with all the kids. The kids respect them, and I trust them to tell them the right thing."

Mercer County’s Kyle Chadwick, left, thinks his team has the experience and talent to outmaneuver opponents this year and improve on last year’s record. (Clay Jackson photo

Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2008

Braves ready for winning season

Jerritt Hovey / Advocate Sports Editor

Union County Advocate

2008 Braves Varsity Pictured above is the 2008 Braves Varsity soccer team. In no particular order, the Varsity team is made up of Clint French, Matt Young, Trey Dorsett, Luke Ervin, Patrick Davis, Joe DeTalente, Kyle Hetrich, Jeremy Duncan, Derrick Winters, Corey Alvey, Drennan Bragg, , Jordan Moody, Tyler Mongosa, Grant Ervin, Ben Thomas, Duncan Taylor, L. J. McKinney, Cody Collins and Austin Hagedorn.

2008 Braves JV Pictured above is the 2008 Braves JV team. In no particular order, the JV team is made up of Jordan Moody, Tyler Mongosa, Grant Ervin, Ben Thomas, Duncan Taylor, L. J. McKinney, Cody Collins, Austin Hagedorn, Derek Baker, Dylan Willett, Dillan Smith, Will Thweat, Tim Pike and Mike French. Coaches are Davis Sprague and Tim Collins

Last year, the Braves soccer team lost five seniors, but what really hurt the team the most this year was four senior players who decided not to play this year.

"These four seniors were very experienced players and with them not coming back, I'm losing some of that senior leadership," Sprague said. "It's really impacted our team because not only did we lose five seniors to graduation but we've lost four more talented players who could have played."

Even though Coach Sprague feels as though he's lost some senior leadership, he has eight seniors who have shown up everyday, ready to work. Clint French, Matt Young, Trey Dorsett, Luke Ervin, Patrick Davis, Joe DeTalente, Kyle Hetrich and Jeremy Duncan have all stepped up this year, and according to Sprague, have been leaders to the team.

"With them coming to practice fired up and getting ready for games, it's been a trickle down effect for the rest of the team," Sprague said. "They see them eager and dedicated and it lights a fire under them. My seniors are a great."

This year's Braves will be more of a solid passing and shooting team than compared with some teams in the past. However, a weakness for the boys' will be not knowing their strength when shooting.

With kids who can shoot from 30-35 yards out and even some that can from 40 yards out, it's a hard not to overshoot the ball when less than five yards out. "We have to work on that a little bit more," Sprague said.

Unlike most coaches who stick with one formation, Coach Sprague favors changing up the formations in order to match up with opponents, as well as trying to figure out the right combinations for offense and defense.

"By switching out formations, I'm able to see how some guys work with each other and how a particular combination works on the field with the team," Sprague said. "Sometimes a 4-3-3 won't work and other times, it does."

With the boys' first scrimmage less than a week away, Sprague is anxious to see how they'll do against teams who have been year round.

"I'd like to see how they handle the pressure of teams who do play year-round," Coach Sprague said. "We have the strength to do it, it's just a matter of doing it."

The Braves played their first scrimmage of the season this past Saturday night at the Alumni game. While the Braves did great keeping up the seasoned players, it was the alumni team that took a 5-2 win. Scoring for the Braves were Luke Ervin and Tyler Mongosa, both scoring one goal. Scoring for the Alumni team were Jonathan Warren with two goals and Max Ervin with one goal.

The Braves will travel to Calloway County next Tuesday in their last scrimmage before the start of their season games. The game will start at 7:30 p.m.

Men's soccer has the experience for good year

By Mike Blair, Sports Correspondent
The Record Online

Coach Marcus Whitley has high expectations for the Grayson County High School boys' soccer team.

"This is the best team in the district this season," he said at a recent practice.

He turned to the players and said, "I'm going out on a line here, guys. How about it?"

The field resounded with affirmative replies as the 2008 Cougars share in Whitley's assessment of the team's quality.

It is the largest and most experienced group of athletes ever to take the soccer field for the Cougars. The combination of nine seniors and a bench loaded with second and third season veterans should put the Cougars on the road for a record season.

The boys' soccer team opens its 2008 season with a scrimmage at home at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, against Warren East.

The Cougars are spending a good amount of time on the practice field honing the skills needed to win games. The oppressive heat of the past few weeks has put an added strain on the athletes as they continue to build endurance levels for this high-energy sport.

Hydration is a key element for these athletes and Coach Whitley keeps a close eye on the team members to ensure that they have ample opportunities to rehydrate between exercises.

Team Spotlight

Ft. Knox Eagles

Coach Molina...."This year Fort Knox High School Boys soccer will be more on the competitive side, we have some good returning players and others that are training hard to meet the competitive status. we will win more games than before. Look out, Fort Knox is coming!"

2001 - (2-15)

2002 - (9-10)

2003 - (7-9-2)

2004 - (5-9-2)

2005 - (1-10)

2006 - (1-14)

2007 - (4-12-1)

East High boys soccer captures gold at BGSG

Photo by Casey Castle
East Jessamine’s Cameron Miller (No. 6) battled for possession during the Jaguars’ contest against Montgomery County.

By Casey Castle
sports@jessaminejournal.com

medal in varsity soccer at the Bluegrass State Games last weekend.

The Jaguars finished with a mark of 3-0-1, defeating John Hardin in penalty kicks in the final game.

East tied Graves County 3-3 in the first game and then topped Montgomery County 1-0 in game two. The Jaguars picked up another shutout over Western Hills, 2-0.

The Jaguars allowed three goals in the first game, after taking a 3-0 lead and making player adjustments, but allowed just one goal over the next three games.

The 1-0 win over Montgomery marks the first 1-0 victory the team has picked up for at least a year.

“We had to win games last year, 4-3, typically, 3-2, we’d need to score more than two goals on most occasions,” East Coach Eric Lichaa said. “But this weekend, with the exception of the game against Graves County, every game was low scoring. We had, combined, basically 160 minutes of consistent shutout. So, we gave up one goal in three games after we were able to fine-tune the defense we’re going to be going with the majority of the year.”

Despite the good showing, Lichaa and his Jaguars aren’t resting on their laurels going into the regular season.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Lichaa said. “Even though, we had success this weekend, we’re going to be playing against much higher competition in our district. And to be able to compete we’re going to have to make adjustments.”

The team’s toughness, however, won’t be on the list, according to Lichaa, who was impressed with his team’s grit.

“They don’t get down on themselves,” he said. “It’s inherent in every single player, they are fighters.”

Against John Hardin, the Jaguars fell down 1-0 in the early moments. But the team battled back and in the final minutes of the first half, East tied the game on Michael Small’s goal.

“John Hardin was a much bigger team than us, much more physical and they had a bench of 22 guys,” Lichaa said. “I think we played 13. They rolled in and out 22 guys throughout the course of the game. And our kids, in spite of the size differential, they just fought with them. They took it right at them, the first five minutes, Hardin kinda owned it, the next five minutes, we were able to shut them down and shift momentum. And then the second half, we kept attacking. We had some difficulty finishing but overall we really kept the pressure on them to a really high degree.”

The game went to penalty kicks and the Jaguars pulled out the victory. But East had controlled the second half.

“After the game, I was talking to their (John Hardin) coach,” Lichaa said. “And I mentioned to him that I didn’t like the shootout, I don’t always think it’s a good indicator of things, and he said, ‘Today it was.’ That’s what I really got from my team this weekend. No matter how far down the chips are against them, they’re going to fight back. They’re not quitters by any stretch.”

Lichaa also saw growth in his young club. The younger players performed well and took the pressure off the senior leadership during the weekend.

“I think the big difference this season is going to be the fact we have lots of players who can contribute,” he said. “A lot of our players last year were freshmen and sophomores. We did graduate four seniors. But at the same time, the maturity of those freshmen and sophomores is kind of the intangible for us. “

Copyright:The Jessamine-Journal 2008 "

Andriot takes over SCHS boys' soccer team

By Todd Martin/Sentinel-News Sports Editor

When Carlos Rul-Lan stepped down as the Shelby County boys' soccer head coach last school year, B.J. Andriot knew he wanted the job.

"Being a Shelby County grad I've always wanted to have this job," he said. "It's been my vision. I have two sons coming up, and it was perfect timing, really. So I applied right away."

Andriot comes in with a wealth of experience, having played at Shelby County and the University of Louisville. And he coached Cornerstone Christian Academy to a state KCAA title two years ago.

"I'm really a student of the game, I think about it constantly -- it drives my wife nuts," he said. "But my goal is to create this new mentality about the game in Shelbyville. When teams play us, I want them to leave thinking 'Wow, that's a good team,' not just they have some talent. There's a lot of talent on this team, and right now we're just working as a team and getting fit to play."

Andriot had the team working two-a-day practices starting last month, and they've recently dropped back down to just one practice a day, but he said it's paying off.

"I want to give them every opportunity to succeed and work hard," he said. "We played in the Bluegrass State Games last weekend, and the guys were tremendous, both varsity and JV. I think we have a great chance to be a very good team this year."

Andriot, being a student of the game, is always looking to get a jump on the competition.

One area of change he's made has been with conditioning work.

"We almost always do our running with a ball," he said. "A lot of coaches will just run, run, run, but this helps the kids that maybe aren't as technically sound, and the kids that are very good technically get better. That's one of the new things going around, we're seeing the Dutch use that and it's starting to show up in U.S. National training. We're also doing a lot of small-sided games. If guys are going hard in 2-2 or 1-1 games, they're going to be tired. That's something I've been stressing. If the guys are working hard in the drills and really going at it, we won't run. But if they're kind of just going through motions and not really working, we'll run at the end of practice."

As a first-year head coach in the KHSAA, Andriot isn't just dipping his toe in the pool. Instead the Rockets' have beefed up the early part of the schedule, with scrimmages against Trinity and Lexington Catholic and a season-opening game against St. Xavier.

"We're going to play a good schedule because I think these guys are ready for it," he said. "I guess we'll find out where we stand pretty early on."

GCHS boys' soccer team hits practice field

from Grant Co. News

Corey Kearns is expected to replace Jonathan Cain in the goal this season for the GCHS Braves.
by Paul Gable, Sports Editor

By Paul Gable, Sports Editor

As he stood on the sidelines and watched his team conduct an hour scrimmage, Grant County High School boys� soccer coach Bill Simpkins saw much of the same from the previous season.

"We scored only one goal in an hour," Simpkins said, referring to his team's lack of offense from last season. "The good news is our defense is still solid."

Last season, the Braves found the back of the net 18 times on their way to a 6-7-4 season. Gone from last year's team are Chris Root, Justin Charles, Brandon Cope, Robert Donley and Jonathan Cain, who was one of the top goal keepers in Northern Kentucky.

Despite the losses, Simpkins and several members of his team feel good about the upcoming season and have set high goals.

"I am hoping to win the district title, win our fourth Forcht Bank Cup and make it to the regional finals. I am not concerned about the losses. We were an offensive team last year, and we have made some moves and defensively, we will be strong," said senior Alex Gregg.

Fellow classmate Andrew Hemsath shared Gregg's sentiments.

"I feel good coming into the season. We can go to the regional, and we're pretty strong this year," Hemsath said.

In the opening week of practice, Simpkins got a good look at goal keeper Corey Kearns, who is expected to replace Cain. Simpkins said the Braves' defense will help Kearns in his adjustment to the varsity level.

"We have a solid defense in front and hopefully, they will stop strong shots. Corey has got good size and hands. He�ll make some mistakes, but he'll do fine," Simpkins said.

Simpkins feels good about the Braves when it comes to their attack and defensive play, noting his team brings back all its defenders and "a lot of attackers."

"I feel good. We have a solid team. It is a 17-game season, and I am not worried about one game. We want to improve on our exposed weaknesses and prepare for the post season. We are taking it one practice at a time," Simpkins said.

ROBIN BASS/The Spencer Magnet New SCHS soccer coach Stephanie Price (left) watches as sophomore Taylor Calvert practices with teammates Monday night.

Soccer’s coaching couple

The Spencer Magnet

By Robin Bass
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:09 PM EDT

With little more than a week of practices, one Spencer County High School soccer player has already sized up the new coaches - and so far, she’s impressed. “They know what they are talking about,” said sophomore Crysta Toohey, “They really know what they are doing,”

Coaches Chris and Stephanie Price have also shown their seemingly unending patience, said Toohey. As new players show up each day for practice with varying degrees of skill and experience, the Price’s have taken the time to break down the basics and make sure everyone that joins the team understands what is expected.

SCHS Principal Tracy Bale announced last week that the married duo were to become the newest editions to the school’s fall sports program. While currently holding combined practices, the pair plan to split the players down gender lines with Chris coaching boys soccer and Stephanie Price leading the girls.

“They had a tough season (last year) and they are going to have another tough season,” said Chris, as he looked ahead the upcoming schedule.

While opponents with longer running programs, like Oldham County, draw 50 or more to tryouts - only 10 boys and seven girls have shown up to soccer practice for Spencer County’s teams.

“The ones that have been coming have been here every day and their attitudes have been good,” said Stephanie. The problem is, they simply need more athletes. Stephanie said 18 for each team would be a good start.

“This program just needs to be built up,” said Chris, who is looking at his first game of the season August 9.

But Chris is accustomed to building teams from the ground up. While coaching the University of Iowa’s club team in the mid-90s, he led players to their first every winning season.

“Winning is nice,” said Stephanie, but soccer is more than getting goals. “We want to teach self respect and confidence to each player,” she said.

In addition to respect for themselves and others, Stephanie said they are they type of coaches that expect players that work hard, show dedication to the team, and still manage to have fun and “spend time with each other off the field.”

“Our goal is just for the kids to have a good experience,” said Chris.

Chris and Stephanie Price bring to Spencer County 57 years of combined experience as players and coaches. In 1998, they both became involved with Shelby County High School’s program. Stephanie was head coach for the girls for four years, while Chris assisted the boys.

The pair met at the University of Kentucky where Stephanie played goalie from 1992-94. After transferring to her home state of Iowa, Stephanie led the University of Iowa’s soccer team to a third place win in nationals in 1995 while playing center mid.

Since moving back to Kentucky in 1996, the Prices have continued coaching and playing together on various co-ed teams. Both have coached all ages beginning with elementary-aged children to adults.

Chris and Stephanie Price live in Elk Creek with their son, Colton, 5.

Anyone interested in playing soccer for Spencer County High School is encouraged to attend nightly practices currently being held at Taylorsville Elementary’s athletic field. Practice begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Chris Price at 502-552-5651.

Just for fun

By Bill Thiry

The George Rogers Clark High School boys’ soccer team competed in the Bluegrass State Games over the weekend at the Versailles Soccer Complex. In the top photo, Clark goal keeper Hunter Cook makes a diving stop against Lexington Catholic in a loss to the Knights in the semifinals. Cook’s teammate Ryan Blair, right, goes high to win a header in the bronze medal game against St. Henry in which the Cardinals lost. Clark opens the season on Aug. 19 at St. Henry. The Cardinals will take on Tates Creek in a scrimmage at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 at the Cardinal Soccer Complex.

Soccer: Boyle's Schuhmann takes pride in defense

By HAL MORRIS
hmorris@amnews.com

Matthew Schuhmann gets as much joy out of how few goals the Boyle County soccer team allows as he does the goals the Rebels score. The Boyle senior defender was part of one of the better defenses in the 15th Region last season. The Rebels allowed only 36 goals all year.

"I'm a sweeper, so I love shutouts. I love it when a team doesn't score. I'd always played offense as a kid, and personally I love offense. But coach (Cris) McMann put me at sweeper in the eighth grade, and he's basically molded me into the player that I am," said Schuhmann, whose team was tied for third in the region in goals allowed last year.

"I used to not like it. But now I take a lot of pride in it. It's a lot of leadership, it's a high-pressure position, and it takes a lot to play it." Schuhmann may see a lot of the field this year, as McMann wants to utilize his athleticism to possibly get some more scoring opportunities.

"He can jump like crazy. I might need to put him up top," said McMann, who wants to use Schuhmann to get the 50-50 balls that are in the air. "Obviously, he's been leading the defense. So now he's going to have to lead quite a bit more probably. I think he's most comfortable at that sweeper position because he's been doing it a while, so that's probably where he's going to end up. "I think Schuhmann can really jump higher than anyone on the team, and he's not afraid to use his head. So it might just depend on the situations we're in during the games. If we need goals, I might send him up on set plays and corner kicks, that kind of stuff."

It's a move Schuhmann looks forward to. "With the position I play, I pretty much have to learn how everyone else plays in order to put them in the right spot. I'm pretty comfortable anywhere on the field," he said. "I do love going up, getting some offense every once in a while. Or going up on corner kicks and seeing if I can put a header in. I love corners."

If the Rebels can get more scoring - they had 54 goals last season - Schuhmann believes they have the capability to make a run at the regional title. "We have a good amount of returning players (16 juniors and seniors). We have a fantastic freshmen class coming in. And I really think this could be one of our better seasons we've had in a long time," he said. "Last year, we didn't have the season we wanted, but we got to play plenty of young guys. So I feel this is a very experienced team. There's just a fantastic work ethic. And I've never seen a team get along so well. We just have fantastic chemistry. "I don't know if our defense will necessarily have to carry us, but I think we'll be solid. I think we have a very well-balanced team, and I think we can accomplish great things."

Boyle glance

Head coach: Cris McMann

2007 record: 7-10-2

Top returnees: David Farmwald, Sr., MF; John Lynn, Sr., F; Matthew Schuhmann, Sr., D; Josh Smock, Sr., F; Will Upton, Sr. F/MF.

Analysis: Boyle has 16 juniors and seniors, more players than McMann has room for on the varsity squad, so the Rebels will not lack experience. Defense was the team's strength last season, allowing 36 goals. But McMann feels Boyle should have enough offensive firepower to help out the defense and could get his team back atop the region. With one of the region's most experienced squad, the Rebels may be able to get there. Seniors Lynn, Schuhmann, Smock and Upton are joined by Trevor Schaffer, a transfer from Utah.

The key is to see how the team comes together, and if they indeed can put some goals in the net. Boyle scored 54 goals last season, an average of 2.8 per game, but McMann believes with an experienced squad returning, the offense will pick up.

Coach's comment: "We've just got really good kids. They cooperate well, they're friendly with each other, and I'm excited to see how they gel and work together as a team. You can do some pretty neat stuff when the guys are all on the same page and support each other."

Centre coach Jeb Burch comments on the recent camp:

Jeb Burch
Head Men's Soccer Coach
jeb.burch@centre.edu

Camp real quick: the over all winner was Greenwood High School and I thought they looked good. They beat a Tates Creek team that got better as camp went on 1-0.

Overall, 15 high schools participated in camp. Most of these were full teams, although some came with about 13-15 players so a we completed these teams with individual walk - ups that signed up for camp.

30 players over all were extended Coaches Choice Awards and four players were recognized as part of our Futures Awards: senior Chris Heil - George Rogers Clark HS, senior Josh Settle & freshman Tyler Daniels of Greenwood High School, and senior Jon Sergent of Rowan County HS.

While teams got to be coached by their high school coach during games, a lecture staff of seven were brought in to actually run technical and tactical sessions with the teams. The lecture staff was comprised of:

Curt Thompson (former professional), Boulder, CO

Jason Bell (former standout University of Kentucky player), Louisville, KY

Bo Lankster (head boy's coach at Tates Creek HS, Lexington, KY

Josh Oakley (head men's coach Asbury College), Wilmore, KY

Josh Will (2 X All - American / professional), Austin, TX

Kris Zander (standout collegian & director of KYSA), Lexington, KY

Anthony Chandler (All - American @ WKU), Lexington, KY

In addition, I introduced two technical sessions that I witnessed while at the Arsenal FC Training Centre in north London, England.

This marked our 19th consecutive camp here at Centre College. I received more compliments about how camp went this year than ever before. While we had a touch of rain during camp, everything ran smooth as we had a lecture scheduled for player nutrition on the last day of camp, so we simply move that ahead and got more games for the teams on the last day of camp.

I was very happy with how things went this year over all. If teams are interested in next summer's camps, they should contact me early in January or February of 2009.

Grizzle says he welcomes double duty

By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent

RUSSELL — No, Joe Grizzle hasn’t lost his mind. He just happens to be crazy about soccer.

How else to explain why Russell High School’s girls soccer coach of the past nine seasons has also agreed to guide the Red Devil boys team this season.

“They were looking for someone to take it,’’ Grizzle said. “I think they ran out of options and asked me if I would be interested in doing both.’’

Grizzle, 52, has guided Russell’s girls to four consecutive regional championships. Russell’s boys also won a regional title last year under the direction of Chuck Shroll, who had already decided he would take a break from head coaching following the 2007 season.

When Grizzle was approached about coaching both teams, he discussed the idea with his wife, Mitzie.

“It was kind of like, `Have you lost your mind?’ when I told her,’’ he said. “But she knows this is my passion. Without her being supportive as she is, there’s no way this thing could be pulled off.’’

It’s a huge commitment on Grizzle’s part in terms of time and effort, but he credited Russell athletic director Sam Sparks for lending a big helping hand.

In particular, Sparks worked out scheduling considerations to make sure Grizzle doesn’t have to be in two places at the same time.

“Sam has been great about working out any scheduling conflicts,’’ Grizzle said. “Between him and the school administration, they have made it real easy for me to be able to do this.’’

In recent years, Russell’s boys and girls have played their district schedule — and some other games — as doubleheaders. This season, both teams will travel to Louisville on Aug. 23 for back-to-back games against different schools.

Grizzle said his players have the right attitude and understanding to make the situation work.

“I’ve got a really good group of kids on both sides,’’ he said. “They know I’m coaching both teams. We will have some long road trips at times where one will have to wait on the other, but they are good with that. They said they like to watch each other play anyway.’’

Grizzle has been putting in eight-hour days Monday through Friday getting both squads ready for the upcoming season. Each team typically spends an hour in the morning with running and conditioning. Girls return for practice from 4-6 p.m., followed by a 6-8 workout for the boys.

“The girls know my routine pretty well by now,’’ Grizzle said. “The boys are starting to catch on. It’s always different with a new coach.’’

Grizzle will get a good look at both teams this weekend at the Bluegrass State Games in Lexington. Each will play two games on Saturday, with the possibility of more competition on Sunday.

“It’s the first trip there for the guys as a team,’’ Grizzle said. “The girls have done this ever since they (BGSG) had a high school division. I think they all are looking forward to it.’’

As for Grizzle, he can’t wait for the new season. You could even say he’s doubly excited.

“I can’t wait until the first game starts,’’ he said.

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Boys U16 standings

Javanon 92 blog

Javanon wins 3rd match 2-1....

Javanon loses second match 1-0...

Wednesday, July 23:
9:30 a.m.
Real So Cal Blue (CA-S) 4 vs. Javanon SC 92 (KY) 2

Javanon loses first match 4-2...

Javanon falls in national tourney

From C-J and Special Dispatches • July 24, 2008

Javanon U16 (16 years old and younger) took a 2-0 halftime lead but couldn't hold on in a 4-2 loss to Real So Cal Blue in yesterday's opening round of the United States Youth Soccer National Championships in North Little Rock, Ark.

St. Xavier High School's Tyler Riggs scored in the 23rd minute to give the Louisville-based Javanon team a 1-0 lead. Elizabethtown High's Jack Goblirsch scored in the 35th minute for a 2-0 edge.

But the California squad dominated the second half, getting goals in the 43rd, 54th, 71st and 79th minutes.

Javanon has two games remaining in pool play -- 8:30 a.m. today vs. YMS Explosion (Pa.) and 12:30 p.m. tomorrow vs. Lower Merion Velez (Pa.). The top two teams after pool play advance to Sunday's national championship match.

Goal scorers: REA - Victor Chavez (80:00) Second goal of the match, REA - Victor Chavez (71:00), REA - Manuel Cazares (53:00), REA - Alberto Rosas (44:00), JAV - John 'Jack' Goblirsch (36:00), JAV - Tyler Riggs (23:00)

Thursday, July 24:
7:30 a.m.
U16 B Field 9 Javanon SC 92 (KY) vs. YMS Xplosion (EPA)

Friday, July 25:
11:30 a.m.
U16 B Field 3 Lower Merion Velez (EPA) vs. Javanon SC 92 (KY)

Top 56 teams in the United States are ready to prove why they are here. Historic trophies on display for all in attendance.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (July 22, 2008) - The 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships officially began today with the 56 teams competing for national crowns, in Under-14 through Under-19 age categories, gathering for the Player Luncheon held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Over 1,200 players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators shared the afternoon honoring each other's accomplishments and commitment to soccer.

US Youth Soccer President Larry Monaco said, "There were over 10,000 teams that began the journey in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and today we have the final 56 here representing the best teams in the country. We are looking forward to a great championship and crowning the national champions."

Teams will have the chance to test their skills when round-robin play begins tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and runs through Friday. National champions will be crowned on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27.

"It is impossible to overstate the value of a tournament like this to our community. For one, the economic impact and two, in terms of its marketing impact," said Daniel O'Byrne, CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There are players and families from all of the country. We are really honored by their presence and the commitment they put in. We hope to reflect well on the values they bring to our community; we are going to be better off for their being here this week."

The highlight of the afternoon for the players was the 2008 US Youth Soccer Regional Championship final highlight video. As the intro music began the players began clapping and bobbing their heads to the sights and sounds. Seeing their past successes during the second leg of the Series spurs them forward to beat the heat and humidity and emerge as the national champions this coming weekend.

The regional highlight videos are available on the event's official website (http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org). In addition to a video highlight of today's Player Luncheon, the site will feature daily video clips including game footage and feature stories. To receive daily information to your inbox, sign up to be a Championships Insider http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/InsiderNewsletterSignup.asp.

Another highlight of the week is U.S. National Team standout Brian Ching. Ching will be at the Fox Soccer Channel booth at Burns Park Soccer Complex tomorrow from noon until 1 p.m. signing autographs. Ching plays for the Houston Dynamos, who are two-time MLS Cup champions.

The 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 state associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age groups as teams earn their way from the top team in their state to the regional championship tournaments. State Cup champions and selected wildcard teams in most age groups are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the under-14 through under-19 age group from each regional event converge to enjoy the nation's top competition.

The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The under-19 boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 73rd anniversary of the storied cup.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship trophies were paraded into the banquet hall by honored referees. The players were able to take pictures in front of the displayed trophies during the luncheon, but only a select 12 teams will be able to raise their trophy in victory after this weekend's finals. These 12 trophies hold a rich history of great soccer and will again be on display for the championship finals over the weekend.

Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. In 2008, over 600 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships including the majority of the top 25 men's and women's programs based on the final 2008 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.

On Saturday, August 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, Presented by adidas, will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner. The show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and more.

Nolan Stone, left, and Nick Wren fight for possession during camp during a 7 on 7 game Thursday. (Clay Jackson photo)

Soccer: Rivals on 1 team -- Danville and Boyle players teammates

By MIKE MARSEE
marsee@amnews.com

IIt was one step removed from a pickup game, and one step forward in developing a bond between Danville and Boyle County's boys soccer teams. Players from the two teams were blended together Thursday night in their first competition at the Centre College Soccer Camp, allowing them to play together and interact in ways that usually aren't possible. By tonight they will be rivals again, but on this night they were partners on teams of their own creation in a series of eight-versus-eight games. "It's really great because for one thing you get to play with players from other teams, and you get a variety of players playing and you get to play with guys you normally don't," Boyle senior Matthew Schuhmann said. "And it's good to get out here and do something fun for the first night. "The intensity is still great, but it's fun and almost a relaxed atmosphere while you're playing."

Danville coach Brent Beaumann agreed. "The kids really enjoy playing with each other," Beaumann said. "They've played select together and played in rec leagues together. The kids love the competition of those couple of games (during the season), but the rest of the time they're rooting for each other." "And it's much better than fighting and making it a bad rivalry. It's fun to beat up on your friends and then hang out after the game." This exercise in crosstown harmony was made possible during a section of the camp called "regional player identification," for which director Jeb Burch paired the teams with nearby geographic neighbors. "It gives us a chance to identify who the best players are in each one of those areas so I have a good starting point at the beginning of camp and so I can identify those kids who might be able to possibly play for us," Burch, Centre's soccer coach, said. And the players love the format because smaller teams and smaller fields adds up to more action. "It's a lot more fun," Boyle coach Cris McMann said. "There's so much more action, and they get more touches on the ball."

Many of these players have been out of action for some time, and Boyle senior Nick Farmwald said it was a good way to shake off the rust before the camp schedule becomes more rigorous today. "You get to see friends that you usually don't get to play with. We never get to play with Danville, and we get to play with them and get to joke around and have fun and just get our touch back," Farmwald said.

Choosing their own teams

The Boyle and Danville players were told when they checked in what would be happening in the evening, and they were left to divide into four teams on their own. "They figured out they needed to pick the best teams they could," McMann said. Danville senior Kris Frey, who played alongside Farmwald and Schuhmann on a team that won all four of its 10-minute games, said their team came together quickly. "We had a bunch of Boyle guys and a bunch of Danville guys (who have) been close friends since we were little, and we just joined together," Frey said. Farmwald said the Boyle and Danville teams divided easily. "It wasn't that hard, because most of the time we had friends on the same team," he said. "We do get competitive, though," Schuhmann said. "We tried to stack one team to make sure we get to advance."

Things will take a more competitive turn tonight when the Admirals and Rebels face each other in the first of the six to eight games each team will play at the camp. "It's only Centre and it's only the beginning of the season, so you don't want to get anybody hurt," Farmwald said. "But you're going to be able to tell that it's a rivalry when we start playing." Beaumann said he thinks the bonds between players on the two sides are strong enough to allow them to remain friends. "The intensity level will pick up some, but I think the attitude will stay the same," he said. "A lot of it comes from Cris and I being good friends. I trust him and ask him questions, and he does the same, and I hope it carries over to the kids." Schuhmann's idea of what to expect in tonight's game appear to indicate that it does exactly that. "It'll be more serious, but it'll be fun," Schuhmann said. "There'll be a lot of trash-talking and a lot of heckling. It's intense and it's a rivalry, but we're all friends."

Javanon soccer players, shown practicing at their club in Louisville, will play for the 16-and-under title this week in the United States Youth Soccer National Championships at North Little Rock, Ark.

By Bill Luster, The Courier-Journal

Javanon seeks national title

Louisville 16-and-under team shoots for soccer glory this week

By Jason Frakes • jfrakes@courier-journal.com

Bitter rivals during the high school season, Male's Taylor Hafling and Manual's Cole Page put their loyalties aside as teammates on the Javanon Soccer Club. At least, they try.

"There's definitely some fighting going on there, but we get along," said Hafling, whose Bulldogs lost 5-0 to the Crimsons in a district semifinal last year. "It's all a joke -- just some smack talking."

Added Page: "I have to give him some stuff about it because we beat them 5-0. We're still friends."

Friends who will work together to compete for a national championship this week.

Hafling and Cole are among 18 players from the Louisville area -- most of them juniors-to-be in high school -- who have led the Javanon U16 team (16 years old and younger) to the United States Youth Soccer National Championships. Play will begin Wednesday and run through Sunday in North Little Rock, Ark.

Twelve champions -- six each in boys' and girls' divisions ranging in age from 14 to 19 -- will be crowned in the United States' pinnacle club soccer event. Javanon is gunning for its third national title, having won a U16 crown in 1997 and the U19 title in 2006.

Javanon U16 coach Tim Chastonay, also the head coach at Bellarmine University, said this is an unusual opportunity for a Kentucky club.

"Usually teams from Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin win our region because you're talking about Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Milwaukee," said Chastonay, who coached Javanon's national-title team in 1997. "They have more numbers, and the same teams always go (to nationals). Kentucky rarely gets to go to this."

But Chastonay's team overcame what he termed "a bad start" and peaked at the right time. Javanon beat Louisville's United 2-1 for the U16 state title, earning a trip to the Midwest Regional in Rockford, Ill.

There Javanon overcame a loss in pool play and beat Michigan's Vardar Red 3-1 in the semifinals and Illinois' Eclipse Select 3-1 in the final.

"At the beginning of the year I said, 'Gosh, I don't know about these guys,' " Chastonay said. "But they have gotten better and better every game."

The coach said balance has been a key, as eight players scored at least one goal over the team's five regional matches. North Oldham's Brandon Causey, St. Xavier's Tyler Riggs and South Oldham's William Vitalis each scored in the regional final.

"We all have our individual strengths, but when we're on the field we bring them together," said Riggs, one of three Javanon U16 players from a St. X program that won the state high school championship last year. "That's why we're such a good team. We all have something special to bring."

And although Chastonay said there are no superstars on the team, Hafling provides a rock as the team's goalkeeper. He recently was named the Kentucky Youth Soccer Player of the Year by Eurosport.

"You're not going to be able to shut teams down from getting scoring opportunities, but we always know we can count on Taylor to get a big save," Chastonay said. "He always comes up big for us."

Javanon will join two teams from Pennsylvania and one each from North Carolina, Texas and California in the National Championships. Each team will play three preliminary games, with the top two advancing to Sunday's national final.

And although Page admitted that simply reaching the regional semifinals was the team's goal when the season started, he now sees Javanon U16 as a national-title contender.

"I think that's very possible," he said. "We're playing some of our best soccer right now. We move the ball really quick and work hard. There are no superstars on this team. We just care about winning."

KHSAA officials Steve Brown videotapes Saturday’s scrimmage game while Heinz Pedolzky gives referee Charlie Charles some tips on working a game.
Vanessa Overholser photo

KHSAA brings instruction to soccer referees

By Vanessa Overholser - Staff Writer

There’s more to wearing the referee uniform, blowing the whistle and making the calls at a soccer game. Referees undergo training on how to dress and act appropriately at games as well. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) officials came to Morehead July 11 to 12 to host a training session during their Soccer Referee’s Camp.

Ronnie Cowen, the 4th region supervisor of officials said they (the KHSAA officials) felt like there was a need to be a program with everyone being on the same page. It started in Elizabethtown and it grew every year and it travels through different regions through the state.

“The organization brings the top clinicians and assessors to be a part of the camp staff. Friday and Saturday’s camp was designed for high school levels but the camp was open to anyone at any level,” Cowan said.

According to the camp brochure, a major goal/objective of the KHSAA Soccer Referee’s Camp is to help establish consistent soccer officiating throughout the state of Kentucky. The camp is designed to enhance and challenge each official’s knowledge of the National Federation rules and philosophy.

During the camp referees underwent training in a classroom environment. Each referee had the opportunity to work out on the field during scrimmage games played by Rowan County, Menifee and Alexandria teams. They videotaped the games and assessed each game. The games were played at the Mahaney Soccer Field located next to Rodburn Elementary School.

“We have 10 teams here. They are allowed to have two scrimmage games before the season starts. July 15 is the start of the Soccer season. We have 30-35 participants in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association,” Cowan said.

“The teams bring in 20 players per team. Then you add the parents who come to the games,” Cowan said. “It brings a big boost to the economy.”

“We are trying to serve the kids on the field,” said Assistant Commissioner KHSAA Darren Bilberry. “We are trying to promote good sportsmanship and we want the referees and the players to have the best athletic experience.”

“I feel we have the best clinicians and referees we’ve ever had,” Cowan said.

Garrett heads transition in GHS soccer

By JOHN VERSER
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW — It’ll be a little different for the Glasgow High School soccer programs in 2008.
With both boys coaches from last season moving out of town, both GHS programs face restructuring for at least the upcoming season.

Girls coach Lora Garrett will oversee both programs as the school’s director of soccer operations. She’ll be assisted by David Mercer and Kim Emberton, along with a pair of new assistants. Mercer, an assistant on the girls team, and Emberton, who helped out with the boys squad last season, will both assist each program. New to the program as assistants are a pair of former GHS soccer players - Garnett Bail and C.J. Zettlemoyer.

Garrett added that the current system will stay intact for this season and will be evaluated thereafter.

“I’m excited about it,” Garrett said. “I think we’ve got two young, enthusiastic men, who will be good role models for the kids.

“These young men have been trained well in terms of playing soccer. Now we’re going to train them in terms of what KHSAA requires of coaches and how to coach, work with kids and parents and that sort of thing.”

The position came open when former boys head coach Daniel McCarley, also an area youth minister, resigned to accept a job as youth minister at a church in Russellville. Ryan Simpson, an assistant with the boys program, resigned as well. Simpson recently moved to Athens, Ga., to begin a master’s program in engineering at the University of Georgia.

“It’s hard when you lose people like Daniel and Ryan, who have been really essential for the last two or three years in building not only our high school team, but our club team,” Garrett said. “It’s a tremendous loss to our soccer community, but we’re really looking forward to Garnett and C.J. and other young people like them stepping up and filling in for the talent that we’ve lost.”

Garrett was first approached by GHS Athletic Director Sam Royse about filling the void in the spring. The position was originally advertised, but no one applied.

“When winter turned into spring, Lora’s classroom is next to mine, and I had the idea and talked to her about it,” Royse said. “She’s very thorough in the administration of her program and she does a great job of communicating with her athletes and parents.

“I’m real comfortable with the decision. It’s different, but it’s not a unique way of approaching it.”

Garrett said that other names were brought up to head the program, but the desire to have a smoother transition and a more permanent presence led to the current system.

“Names were talked about, assistant coaches from other high schools who were not teachers, to come in and be a head coach for a year or two and then leave,” Garrett said. “That’s not really what we were interested in. We really need some people to stay and have some continuity with the kids. That’s what’s best for the kids, so that’s what we were seeking to provide.

“We knew that we had several young people who had grown up in the program, but we weren’t comfortable with putting them in a head coaching job. It can be really overwhelming with all of the paperwork and that sort of thing.”

Garrett added that at some point the hope is to turn the program over to one of the new assistants, who are just getting their first taste at coaching in the high school ranks.

When scheduling conflicts arise between the two teams, either Garrett or Emberton, who are both employed with the Glasgow school system, will each be with one team. Mercer, Bail and Zettlemoyer will then fill in the gaps.

This year’s boys team doesn’t have a senior on the team. Garrett said that the continuity that comes along with this system brings the needed stability as the program transitions into the future.

“We knew they were going to be young, so that’s another key factor,” Garrett said. “You’d like somebody experienced in there to say, guys, that’s OK. We’re going to take some knocks against some good teams, but we can be in there with the other teams. I think they’re going to surprise us. There’s a lot of athletic potential there.”

Bluegrass State Games brackets....

Varsity

J.V.

New shin guard regulation goes in effect this season

The LaRue County Herald News

A new rule governing shin guards goes into effect beginning with the 2008 high school soccer season. The rule mandates the size of the guard depending on the players’ height. It also places a hefty penalty for violations. Additionally, every shin guard must have on it the label stating its size with a tag or stamp confirming that the equipment was sanctioned by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. All proper shin guards must be NOCSAE approved. Players shorter than 5 feet, one inch must wear a medium shin guard; 5-1 to 5-7, large, and 5-7 to 6-2 extra large. Chuck Holloway, in his fifth year as LaRue County High School’s head soccer coach, said his Hawks won’t be overly concerned about not complying with regulation because they, as a safety standard, have been wearing the proper equipment as standard procedure. “For over a year, we’ve known about this rule, and I see it as one that will put more bite into the officials’ requirements that all players on the field wear proper equipment,” said Holloway. He noted that before each coin toss, the officials ask each coach if their players are wearing proper equipment. “Before this regulation, coaches were more or less on an honor system about the equipment, but now they have some consequences for failure to wear the right gear.” He foresees officials spot checking players for compliance before and during games.

Penalties for non-compliance are severe. If a player wears the incorrect shin guard or the equipment doesn’t have the proper stamp of label on it, both the player cited for the infraction and the coach receive a yellow card for the offense. Ejection from the game comes with the second yellow card. “Even though our players have the right-sized guards, you better believe I most definitely will be checking before sending anyone into the game,” confirmed Holloway.

He said the new rule was probably written because some players feel they lose speed by wearing larger shin guards which should extend from about two inches below the knee to the top of the ankle. “The small guards don’t really make them that much faster, but a proper guard in place can prevent serious damage to the shin, ankle, or calf,” observed Holloway.

As a testament to LaRue’s wearing proper equipment, Holloway recalled no serious leg injury to any of his players last season and only one ankle injury, caused by contact, not a lack of correct shin guard, the previous season. “A player who wears incorrect equipment not only hurts himself under the new regulation, but also hurts his teammates as he won’t be in there when needed all because he didn’t follow the rules,” said the coach.

New assistants

Two new assistant soccer coaches will join the Hawks this fall – Derek Bell and Craig Simon.
“Both have played soccer at the high school level and beyond, and both have coached youths,” said Holloway. Bell is from England. Simon pastors the LaRue County Church of Christ.
“Both are knowledgeable and experienced, plus they will be good role models and strong motivators both on and off the field,” said Holloway. He said 30-35 boys and 18-25 girls have signed up for this season. “We’re growing,” said Holloway who has been involved in high school soccer since 1991.

email....

Lepe for Trinity just got mvp of ESP camp... number one player in the

country in the high school group

Redwine named boys’ soccer coach
By MATT MONTAVON, Sports Writer

Boyle County goalkeeper Vann Pollack throws the ball to a teammate after stopping a shot during a match at the Centre College soccer camp. (Clay Jackson photo)

Soccer: Centre camp gives players more practice

By MIKE MARSEE
marsee@amnews.com

The first players were due to arrive in less than two hours, but Jeb Burch was calm. Busy, but calm. Burch was wrapping up a series of meetings with his staff at the Centre College soccer camp, going over the necessary details before the camp got under way Thursday afternoon. It was nothing Burch hasn't done before. After several years as Centre's men's coach and as director of this camp, he has a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't at the area's largest sports camp.

"This is about the most relaxed you'll probably see me at a camp," Burch said. One thing Burch has found that works is wedging the camp into the dates between the end of the mandatory dead period for high school athletes and the start of official preseason practice next week. That was done for the first time last season, and it was a change welcomed by the high school coaches. "I love it because I can spend all day with them doing soccer stuff and watching them," Boyle coach Cris McMann said. "And as far as game experience, we get six to eight games this week that don't count toward our scrimmages, which is very helpful."

Coaches get a five-day head start on the start of official practice Tuesday, getting in extra games that they can't play once scrimmages are controlled beginning then. "It's tough to go straight from camp into practice because it's physically exhausting, but at the same time you couldn't ask for something better for your team," Boyle senior Matthew Schuhmann said.

Chris Frey of Danville dribbles the ball at the Centre camp. (Clay Jackson photo)

Schuhmann's teammate, senior Nick Farmwald, said the only down side is that the dates are fixed. "I liked it more last year when it didn't go around a weekend, because that interferes with church and your weekend," Farmwald said. "But I like that it's just after dead period so you pretty much get to start your season earlier." Easy to transition to practice

Both McMann and Danville coach Brent Beaumann said they'll make the transition directly from the end of camp Monday to the start of practice Tuesday. "No break," McMann said. "I'm not planning on doing two-a-days, though. They're working all day long here, at least six hours of soccer." Beaumann said he'll hold his first practice at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and he said his players will be better prepared because of what they're doing this weekend at Centre.

"We get to get them out early and get a lot of good games," Danville coach Brent Beaumann said. "It's a camp setting, so I go easier on them than I would in practice. It's fun, it's soccer 24 hours, and it's a good way to knock off the rust and get going and get right into practice."

But Beaumann said there were advantages to having the team coached by others as well. He said that when he was working as an assistant under former coach Gary Reynolds, they didn't mind that their players were instructed by other coaches during the years the camp was held during the dead period. "Gary and I always trusted the coaches they were working with," Beaumann said. "We didn't get to coach them, but it might be good for them to hear somebody else tell them new things or reinforce the stuff that we've been telling them, so it's not always a bad thing." Players spend plenty of time at the Centre camp listening to others.

Josh Smock of Boyle County advances the ball during an eight-on-eight game last week at the Centre College soccer camp. (Clay Jackson photo)

There are lectures and demonstrations from the camp staff and training sessions and drills led by veteran staffers and Centre players. In addition, staffers are assigned to specific teams to help those coaches. Chris Zander, the executive director of the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association, is working with Beaumann and McMann. "It's good to have another set of eyes, plus somebody with that much experience," Beaumann said.

Zander and the other staffers went over all sorts of details in their meetings with Burch on Thursday morning. First there was a meeting with the entire staff, including lead instructors, high school coaches, Centre players and those helping with registration, followed by another meeting with the instructors. "I've got a great staff, and we think one reason people like our camp is we are organized," Burch said.

Local soccer to lose leaders
Henson, Helliwells all leaving Kentucky soon

By DANIEL PIKE, The Daily News

New soccer rule goes into effect

Rule change governs size of shin guards; enforces tough penalties

By JOHN VERSER
Glasgow Daily Times

A new rule governing shin guards for high school soccer in Kentucky will go into effect beginning with the 2008 season.

The rule mandates the size of the shin guard depending on the players’ height and also places a hefty penalty for not following the rules. Players under 5’1” must wear a medium shin guard, while players 5’1” to 5’7” must wear a large and players 5’7” to 6’2” must wear an extra large.

“In the past, some of the kids would get youth shin guards and would just shove them in their sock, so they would only have a very small part of their shin actually covered,” Glasgow High School Director of Soccer Lora Garrett said. “They’re opting for maximum coverage of the shin bone to help prevent broken legs and that sort of thing.

“People have been bad about it (not wearing the proper equipment), so they just said we’re going to take care of it and this is how it’s going to be. And it’s throughout soccer, everywhere.”

If a player wears the incorrect size shin guard or the equipment doesn’t have the proper label on it, the penalty is severe. Both the player cited for the infraction and the coach receives a yellow card for the offense.

“What I’ve been told by Ronnie Cowan, who is the assigner of officials and is a soccer official himself, is that they will get a yellow card and the coach will get a yellow card,” Garrett said. “It’s important for me to check my players’ shin guards and make sure they have the right equipment or they can’t play. They’ll have to sit out because I can’t get a yellow card, because if I get two, then I get thrown out of the game.”

Not only must players wear the correct sized equipment, but they must leave the labels on them. The label stating the size of the shin guard must be left on along with the tag that the equipment was sanctioned by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). All proper shin guards must be approved by the NOCSAE.

“Every shin guard has to have that label on it,” Garrett said. “If people have taken their tags off, they’re going to have to get new shin guards. The correct size has to be listed and it’s got to have the NOCSAE tag on it.”

Garrett said the rule was originally set to go into effect for the 2006-07 school year and then was pushed back to 2007-08. But the rule will finally go into effect this season.

The new shin guards cost between $15-30.

“Most of the ones that I looked at in the catalog were $15-30,” Garrett said. “But it’s one more thing for the parents to have to get. I know that’s a little rough this time of year with this economy.”

Garrett added that more specifics on the rule will be given at the coaches’ rules clinic in early August.

“We won’t get the final word on it until we go to the rules clinic August 3 in Owensboro and August 4 at Central Hardin, and that’s two weeks before the season,” Garrett said. “You’ve got to start checking on them now and let the kids know that’s what’s coming down the pipe

Javanon wins Midwest

from the Oldham Era

Oldham County residents John Cantrell, Brandon Causey, Cullen Hall, Brysen Howard, Will Vitalis and Conner Powell were part of the Javanon Under-16 soccer team that won the regional championship and will play for the national title later this month.
Photo by
By Mickey Patterson

LOUISVILLE – With six players from Oldham County playing a key role, the Javanon 92 select soccer team won the Region II soccer title in the United States Soccer Association tourney. The team advances to the national championship tourney July 25-29 in Little Rock, Ark. “We were pretty excited when we won,” Connor Powell, a junior at North Oldham High School, said. “It was a pretty huge win for our team.”

Powell along with NOHS teammate Brandon Causey, South Oldham’s Cullen Hall, Will Vitalis and John Cantrell and Brysen Howard, a Crestwood resident who attends Shattuck St. Marys in Minnesota, are the six Oldham Countians on the team.

They helped the 18-member Javanon team defeat Eclipse Select out of Illinois 3-1 in the finals. Causey and Vitalis both had goals in the game. Causey scored the first goal to help Javanon to a 2-1 halftime lead and Vitalis added the final, insurance goal.

In the semifinals, Javanon beat Vardar of Michigan 3-1. “We actually thought we could do this,” Cantrell said. “Going into it, we really thought we were one of the best two teams there and that we could get to the finals.”

Javanon required a little help from Vardar West in pool play after Javanon dropped a game to KCFC of Missouri. Vardar West was able to come back from a 3-1 deficit against KCFC and win 4-3 to keep Javanon alive in the tourney.

“We were a little worried because they (KCFC) were a team we had beaten in the regular season and we never should have lost to them,” Cantrell said. “We didn’t think they (Vardar) could pull it out, but they came back and pulled it off and we all breathed a little easier.”

After that, Javanon kept its fate in its own hands. “We lost a game we never should have lost and that’s never a good situation,” Powell said. “We just went out and took care of what we could take care of and the rest worked itself out.”

The club has had the same roster for the past two seasons after several players moved over from the Oldham County Thoroughbreds program. They have become known for being a team in that short period of time.

“We really don’t have any superstars,” Cantrell said. “We’re just a really solid team that works together well.” The team is also known for its offensive firepower from an excellent passing game.

“Our ability to move the ball is what we do best,” Powell said. “We move the ball a lot better than most teams our age and I think that’s what sets us apart.”

The players have no doubt what they face heading into the national tourney.

“Going into this, the level of soccer, there won’t be a bad team there,” Powell said. “I think we are up to the level of competition.”

The club becomes the third Javanon team to advance to the national tourney and hopes to become the second to win a national championship after the Under-19 title in 2006.

The players are well aware of the reputation Javanon carries in the region and on a national scale.

“There’s always pressure and there’s added pressure being with our club,” Powell said. “It’s a big honor and we just want to do the best we can representing our club and the state of Kentucky.”

From Ky Preps Soccer Forum....

Soccer Schedule Limits:

This message is being sent to all Athletic Directors and Coaches in the sport of girl's and boy's soccer.

The decision to change the regular season game count to a straight twenty-one games versus seventeen games with the two tournament discount has been postponed indefinitely by the state legislature in its consideration.

Since the decision to make this change continues to be delayed, for the fall 2008 season we will continue to use the already existing game count which allows for a maximum of seventeen (17) games with two tournaments to be included in any manner other than counting each game played against the limit of seventeen (17) games. Single elimination tournaments in which every team in the tournament is finished playing upon their first loss are eligible to be counted as one game against the limit of seventeen (17) games. All other formats of tournaments are eligible to be counted as two games against the limit of seventeen (17) games. Any team playing more than four games in any one tournament shall have each additional game played over four counted against the limit of seventeen. Any game played over the limit of four in any one tournament shall be counted against the limit of seventeen (17) games.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Darren

Will the 'X' repeat in 2008?

Are these the games that look like the best shot for St. X to lose this season....?

9/11/08 @ Manual

9/18/08 home vs. Male

9/23/08 @ St. Henry

10/1/08 home vs. Trinity

10/11/08 @ Lexington Catholic

Region Predictions

recent emails:

REGION FIVE - BETHLEHEM . Returning ten starters, strong defense, strong offense, good team concept and a coach who knows how to get 100% out of his players. Strong schedule should test a very finely tuned team.

I believe that the 4 teams that will be playing in the 2008 region 5 tournament will be the same 4 teams as last season in Bethlehem, Bullitt East, E-Town, and John Hardin.

I think that Bethlehem is the strongest team overall with 10 returning starters. They play good team ball. I think that their offense will be even better this year with Wolf and Wychulis.

I also believe that Bullitt East will be a much better team this year and will be much more matured. They will not have a 5-0 or 6-0 defeat in the 1st round of regionals as they have in the past 2 years (the 1st 2 years in school history). Last year they were very young with only 2 seniors, 7 juniors, and 10 sophomores. The team started 5 of those sophomores. This year they have 6 of the juniors returning and even more of the sophomores. I like this team because all 5 of their starting sophomores from last year play with heart and determination. 2 of them play club ball for the thoroughbreds and 2 others could play club ball if they wanted to. I believe Caleb Noe, the goalie, is the best goalie in the region. The 2 forwards Rob Daugherty and Noah Francke for Bullitt East that were sophomores last season combined for 31 of the teams 45 goals. Rob Daugherty led the region in scoring with 21 goals. I will say that in order for this team be able to win region 5 in 2008 is to improve their defense and mainly their passing as a whole unit starting from the back all the way into the top 1/3 of the pitch. It would also help if the midfield moved up a bit more when attacking. I believe that this team has the determination to improve themselves in all these problem areas for they are much more matured this season.

Yet overall I would still say that Bethlehem has the overall edge in region 5, with Bullitt East and E-town in close competition for 2nd.

9^th district 2 seed last year was North Bullitt – they have the 2 BEST players in the district in Shepherd and Stillwell – both play for Mock 92’s.

Don’t count them out as they also add a 94 Jav. player.

Bowling Green video goals during the 2007 tournament

The ADS received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Achievement Award for the fifth time! Their 3.83 was the highest among KY schools and 11th in the nation.

Many teams in the Top 25 lose this week....

St. X soccer team copes with injuries as title defense starts

Top 25

Others to watch

Henry Clay boys' soccer picked as city's best

By Jennifer Smith

jsmith3@herald-leader.com

Danville glance

Team Spotlight

2001 - (2-15)

East High boys soccer captures gold at BGSG

Boyle glance

Javanon seeks national title

Louisville 16-and-under team shoots for soccer glory this week