O'Hara plays Harrisonville's varsity squad on the road tomorrow at 4:00 PM. The Celtics could be in high spirits after their Tuesday night game against the Warrensburg Tigers. MO Soccer Coach has the game listed as a 2-1 PK win for O'Hara while the KC Youth Soccer Net has the game listed as a 1-1 tie. Last season, the Tigers beat the Celtics 3-1 in early and late season games. In any case, O'Hara, 4-18 on last season, has come out strong against a quality Warrensburg side and should pose a potent opponent for the Cats tomorrow night. Game on! Go Cats!
Update: The Tigers played the Celtics 1-1 in regulation and went to overtime and a shootout where O'Hara took the match 4-3. A great battle by two good teams. Check out Warrensburg's write-up here.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
HOLDEN COMES TO HARRISONVILLE FOR AN UNEXPECTED HOME OPENER
The Wildcats were to go on the road tonight for their second match in as many nights but met the Holden Eagles for an unexpected Harrisonville home opener as Holden's field was still soggy with all the wet weather. The Cats scored 11 before play was stopped at the end of the first half. Anna Holden scored her first hat trick of the season, putting her in a four way tie for first place in the KC Scoring Leaders Alex and Alex (Erickson and Herndon) both scored two on the night and Anisa Alexander, Karson Wilson, Madison Allen and Kaley Harkrader all tallied one goal a piece.
On a side note. The weather was BE-A-UTIFUL so it was a great time to break out the new grandson and introduce him to the beautiful game.
Picture are downloading now.
CATS WIN EARLY SEASON MATCH VS WARRENSBURG
The Cats came away with another early season win vs the Warrensburg (15-6-1 last year) on Monday night. The manicured natural grass field still seemed a bit awkward at first to the Cats who are playing a majority of their games on turf these days. The wet weather and soft ground slowed the ball speed a bit but the girls adjusted nicely and found many opportunities to drop balls in behind the defense to our speedy forwards. Anna Holden scored two and Alex Erickson scored one.
Warrensburg's lone goal came as a ball was passed in to near the right post, striking a defender and dropped dead in front of the box where it was poked home by on rushing Kendra Fox. I did notice one addition to the Warrensburg attack this game. The Tigers have added flip throws to their arsenal after watching Bolivar rain down balls into their box from the potent throw-ins in last year's 3-0 loss in the District finals. While the Tigers failed to score off these balls in this match, they were nearly successful a couple times.
I was pleasantly surprised with the tough but fair play I witnessed on the field and the positive comments from fans and coaches on both sides. Pictures from the match are posted.
Here is a write up from a Warrensburg digital news source.
CATS TAKE SECOND AT PLATTE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
The Wildcats played well against the offensive power house of Platte County High School on Saturday in the Championship game. While the loss was disappointing for the girls, it was a telling 1-0 defeat. Platte County went 24-1 last season falling to Smithville in their Class 2 District 7 semifinal last year. The Pirates are currently ranked 10th in the state in the high school preseason coaches poll. This would have been the third straight year that the teams would meet in the tournaments championship game except last year's game was canceled twice for rain.
The Pirates attacked with ease throughout the game but the Cats were able to find space and threatened a few times with shots on goal and through balls behind the air tight defense. Karson Wilson thought she had tied the game in the second half but it was called back for offsides. Whitney Smith scored the Pirates winning goal and Alisha Hoskins earned the well deserved shutout.
While not the result they had hoped for, this game showed the girls can play great soccer against great teams. They stayed focused on the defensive side and really hustled all over the field. It is still early in the season so there is plenty of time to work on finding space against high pressure teams and working the ball out of the back when transitioning off defense. We have a great crop of new talent coming up and they are starting to fit nicely with the rest of the team veterans.
I was really impressed with the quality of the Platte County side and had a wonderful time at the tournament throughout the week. Great teams, coaching, fans...heck even the refs were nice. And if you didn't already know, "Official time is kept on the field". :-)
It was a pleasure to see Chris Miller (former H'ville coach and current Platte County Middle School Principal) and his son Zane at the tourney. Chris caught me on facebook and wrote the following:
"It was great seeing you and the girls. It is so cool to see them all grown up and doing well. It is also great to see that the program is progressing nicely and fielding quality teams from year to year. The game was a good one for both teams. I know the Hville girls were disappointed with the late offsides call which negated their goal. Either way I think they surprised our girls and kept them off balance the entire game. Both teams were in it until the last whistle and both had some chances. Maybe we will run into each other at another game. Take care!"
Thanks for a wonderful tourney.
The Pirates attacked with ease throughout the game but the Cats were able to find space and threatened a few times with shots on goal and through balls behind the air tight defense. Karson Wilson thought she had tied the game in the second half but it was called back for offsides. Whitney Smith scored the Pirates winning goal and Alisha Hoskins earned the well deserved shutout.
While not the result they had hoped for, this game showed the girls can play great soccer against great teams. They stayed focused on the defensive side and really hustled all over the field. It is still early in the season so there is plenty of time to work on finding space against high pressure teams and working the ball out of the back when transitioning off defense. We have a great crop of new talent coming up and they are starting to fit nicely with the rest of the team veterans.
I was really impressed with the quality of the Platte County side and had a wonderful time at the tournament throughout the week. Great teams, coaching, fans...heck even the refs were nice. And if you didn't already know, "Official time is kept on the field". :-)
It was a pleasure to see Chris Miller (former H'ville coach and current Platte County Middle School Principal) and his son Zane at the tourney. Chris caught me on facebook and wrote the following:
"It was great seeing you and the girls. It is so cool to see them all grown up and doing well. It is also great to see that the program is progressing nicely and fielding quality teams from year to year. The game was a good one for both teams. I know the Hville girls were disappointed with the late offsides call which negated their goal. Either way I think they surprised our girls and kept them off balance the entire game. Both teams were in it until the last whistle and both had some chances. Maybe we will run into each other at another game. Take care!"
Thanks for a wonderful tourney.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
CATS TOP SAVANNAH
The Wildcats topped the Savannah Savages 5-0 in the second round of the Platte County Soccer Tournament. The team showed it's depth tonight with five goals from five girls. Scoring was shared by Anna Holden, Alex Erickson, Karson Wilson, Shalyn Wheeler and Anisa Alexander. The stingy defense held strong and is beginning to play with more poise out of the back. Sara Clarke earned her second shutout in as many games. I'm VERY impressed with many of our young players that have come in this season. They show a great level of play walking in the door.
I stayed over for the second game to get a sense of who we might end up playing on Saturday (1:00 PM) and caught the Platte County Pirates vs the Staley Falcons. The first 10 minutes had me thinking this would be a blowout as the Pirates dominated play and pummeled the Falcons with shots. And then it was like someone took the hood off the Falcon as these girls came alive and just flat brought it! It was a great game with lots of quality soccer on both side; physical but clean. Both teams moved the ball well through their defense and midfield but the Pirates seemed to have a better time of it through the attacking third and put more shots on goal. The score was 1-0 Pirates at the half when I left but the way it was going, I'd hate to count the Falcons out. I'm looking forward to playing either of them. The Cats will face the winner at 1:00 PM on Saturday. Go Wildcats!
More Pictures are downloading now at the online photo album (see link on the right side of the page)
I stayed over for the second game to get a sense of who we might end up playing on Saturday (1:00 PM) and caught the Platte County Pirates vs the Staley Falcons. The first 10 minutes had me thinking this would be a blowout as the Pirates dominated play and pummeled the Falcons with shots. And then it was like someone took the hood off the Falcon as these girls came alive and just flat brought it! It was a great game with lots of quality soccer on both side; physical but clean. Both teams moved the ball well through their defense and midfield but the Pirates seemed to have a better time of it through the attacking third and put more shots on goal. The score was 1-0 Pirates at the half when I left but the way it was going, I'd hate to count the Falcons out. I'm looking forward to playing either of them. The Cats will face the winner at 1:00 PM on Saturday. Go Wildcats!
More Pictures are downloading now at the online photo album (see link on the right side of the page)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
WILDCATS WIN SEASON OPENER
The Cats opened the season on a good foot last night as they bested Benton High School 6-0 in the first round of the Platte City High School Soccer Tournament. Karson Wilson tallied a hat trick; Anna Holden got two and Alex Erickson got one and a couple assists. Sara Clarke and the rest of the Cat's defensive unit earned their first shut-out of the season. I was very impressed to see an improved Wildcat air battle as they scored at least two goals off set play headers. The game was highlighted by some great sportsmanship by both sides and superb officials on the field. Sorry no pictures from the game; someone who shall remain nameless forgot the camera on the table at home.
I stuck around to watch the first half of the following game as we would be playing the winner on Thursday. MICDS was playing Savannah. The 2-1 score at half did not reflect the control and possession the Rams commanded on the field. It did however reflect Savannah's opportunistic scoring power and quick counters. I thought twice about staying for the second half but with an hour drive home yet to come, I assumed the Ram's would prevail....wrong. Read the full story below from the MICDS results page. Everything they say about Savannah's keeper is true. She had at least three amazing saves I saw myself and then to come back and get the game winner in the shootout is just icing on the cake.
Click here for last year's write up of the Cat's opening game vs Savannah.
"Rams Fall in Penalty Kicks
The Rams opened the season with a 3-2 loss in a penalty kick shootout to Savannah High School. Despite controlling the play for much of the game, and outshooting the Savages by a 10-5 margin, the Rams were thwarted by a strong Savannah goalkeeper. Chloe Ferris scored 4 minutes in off of a cross from Katherine Spataro, and in the 18th minute the Rams made it 2-0 on a goal by Claire Ringenberg from a pass by Sydney Saunders. Savannah cut the lead to 2-1 with a well placed shot from 25 yards out and tied the game in the second half on a scuffed shot that managed to find the corner of the net through a maze of players from both teams. The Rams continued to put on the pressure the entire game, but several spectacular saves were made in regulation and overtime to keep the Rams at 2 goals. In the PK shootout Katherine Spataro and Claire Ringenberg both scored, but Savannah scored three times including the game winner from their keeper. Players of the game were, #3 Izzy Howerton, #2 Frances Jones and #1 Claire Ringenberg."
I stuck around to watch the first half of the following game as we would be playing the winner on Thursday. MICDS was playing Savannah. The 2-1 score at half did not reflect the control and possession the Rams commanded on the field. It did however reflect Savannah's opportunistic scoring power and quick counters. I thought twice about staying for the second half but with an hour drive home yet to come, I assumed the Ram's would prevail....wrong. Read the full story below from the MICDS results page. Everything they say about Savannah's keeper is true. She had at least three amazing saves I saw myself and then to come back and get the game winner in the shootout is just icing on the cake.
Click here for last year's write up of the Cat's opening game vs Savannah.
"Rams Fall in Penalty Kicks
The Rams opened the season with a 3-2 loss in a penalty kick shootout to Savannah High School. Despite controlling the play for much of the game, and outshooting the Savages by a 10-5 margin, the Rams were thwarted by a strong Savannah goalkeeper. Chloe Ferris scored 4 minutes in off of a cross from Katherine Spataro, and in the 18th minute the Rams made it 2-0 on a goal by Claire Ringenberg from a pass by Sydney Saunders. Savannah cut the lead to 2-1 with a well placed shot from 25 yards out and tied the game in the second half on a scuffed shot that managed to find the corner of the net through a maze of players from both teams. The Rams continued to put on the pressure the entire game, but several spectacular saves were made in regulation and overtime to keep the Rams at 2 goals. In the PK shootout Katherine Spataro and Claire Ringenberg both scored, but Savannah scored three times including the game winner from their keeper. Players of the game were, #3 Izzy Howerton, #2 Frances Jones and #1 Claire Ringenberg."
Monday, March 22, 2010
2010 SEASON KICKOFF
Wildcats start their 2010 season tomorrow night vs Benton High School (St. Joseph)at the Platte County Tournament.
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