Olympic Soccer is coming to a close this week, with the Women's finalist having been determined this morning (no spoiler's here for those who have taped it or are watching online later). The Women's Gold Medal game is Thursday morning at 8:00 am CT, with the Bronze Medal game at 5:00 am.

Olympic Soccer is coming to a close this week, with the Women's finalist having been determined this morning (no spoiler's here for those who have taped it or are watching online later). The Women's Gold Medal game is Thursday morning at 8:00 am CT, with the Bronze Medal game at 5:00 am.

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

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

Our two local women's teams will face off in an exhibition match at Harrison Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) at 8:00 pm.

I haven't been in town so I've been unable to stop by a practice to check out the new girls. We do know that the Bears defeated the Central Arkansas Bears 3-0 last night in their first exhibition match of the season.

Our two local women's teams will face off in an exhibition match at Harrison Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) at 8:00 pm.

I haven't been in town so I've been unable to stop by a practice to check out the new girls. We do know that the Bears defeated the Central Arkansas Bears 3-0 last night in their first exhibition match of the season.

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

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

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

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

Consider this story about Mary Phyl Dwight from the KC Star today:

Dwight attended Raytown South before Title IX, and there were no organized sports teams for girls at most high schools then. Still, she played sports at every opportunity, including what used to be called "sports days" for girls, where they could compete against other schools.

Fox Soccer Channel has announced their Division I intercollegiate calendar for the upcoming season. It's part of an agreement with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) according to their press release.

Fox Soccer Channel will have live and exclusive coverage of NSCAA College matches featuring the top men's and women's teams from around the nation.

PRESS RELEASE

The Missouri State men's and women's soccer teams will host seven and eight matches, respectively, at Plaster Sports Complex during the upcoming 2008 season.

The men's team opens the home schedule the second weekend of the season with its annual home tournament Sept. 5 and 6.

Kelsey Finders, who will join the Missouri State Bears this Fall, was featured recently in the St Charles Journal, Finding the right position - West graduate among state's best

By Dave Benson
Thursday, June 26, 2008

A four-year starter, Finders immediately became a valued commodity in the Warriors midfield.

The St Clair County Journal brings a mid-season report on the Althoff Crusaders who are playing very well - This year, the Crusaders have higher goals and so far they're right on schedule. Heading into Monday's game against Notre Dame at the Columbia Shootout, Althoff was 8-1-1 and had outscored its opponents 57-5.

Warmth, blessed warmth! Could it be possible? It's not nearly as reliable as Death and Taxes (the latter having my full attention for the next two days) but it sounds like a strong possibility. With that in mind, lets consider some of the games that will be available...

Tuesday - Rolla hosts Waynesville
Thursday - Lebanon hosts Waynesville
With Waynesville sitting at 4-0 atop the Ozark Conference, Lebanon at 3-0 and Rolla and Glendale at 2-1, we could either see the Tigers solidify their position or things will tighten.

The Springfield Demize held a raucous Spring Exhibition match against the Tony Glavin-led St Louis Lions on Saturday evening at the Cooper Soccer Complex. The game score was 4-2 in favor of the Demize when I left around 7:30pm when my camera batteries finally expired after attending four games Saturday.

Should be a great weekend for soccer in Southwest Missouri, with sunshine and warm weather promised. Remember to pack sunscreen this weekend!

The Ozarks Coca Cola / Dr Pepper LCS Friendship Cup this weekend will feature teams from the four-state region with Boys games from U10 to U18. Girls games are U11 to U14.

Should be a great weekend for soccer in Southwest Missouri, with sunshine and warm weather promised. Remember to pack sunscreen this weekend!

The Ozarks Coca Cola / Dr Pepper LCS Friendship Cup this weekend will feature teams from the four-state region with Boys games from U10 to U18. Girls games are U11 to U14.

My first priority this week is to be around to take in Tom Davidson's 500th career win. The Tigers host West Plain's tonight at 4:30 pm so that's where I'll start. Nick Schmitt will once again offer an in-depth article on Tom's career so look for that this week as well. The latest info I've received on the game is that it is on, although Varsity-only now.

My first priority this week is to be around to take in Tom Davidson's 500th career win. The Tigers host West Plain's tonight at 4:30 pm so that's where I'll start. Nick Schmitt will once again offer an in-depth article on Tom's career so look for that this week as well. The latest info I've received on the game is that it is on, although Varsity-only now.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Howard of the Rolla Bulldogs, who won his 500th High School game on Saturday when the ladies shut out the Hickman Kewpies 2-0. Come back later today for an in-depth retrospective courtesy of Nick Schmitt.

I saw Mike's career win on Saturday and it was great taking in some quality games.

PRESS RELEASE

The Missouri State women???s soccer team and head coach Rob Brewer have received commitments from five student-athletes to play for the Bears in 2008. The newest Bears are Tara Bailes (Springfield, Mo.), Jeslynne McGrath (Clear Lake, Iowa), Kelsey Finders (St. Charles, Mo.), Jennifer Hamlin (Belleville, Ill.

I recently spent some time with Ron Prenger and Dr Russell Bond at Cox Health being introduced to a new community program they have launched to help prevent ACL injuries in female soccer players. The Glendale Soccer website first pointed to the issue last September when webmaster Bob Jordan linked to a story in USA Today about the PEP Program developed by the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation.

I recently spent some time with Ron Prenger and Dr Russell Bond at Cox Health being introduced to a new community program they have launched to help prevent ACL injuries in female soccer players. The Glendale Soccer website first pointed to the issue last September when webmaster Bob Jordan linked to a story in USA Today about the PEP Program.

Good news from Western Missouri - the Division I UMKC Kangaroo's are adding Women's soccer, beginning with the Fall 2009 season.

Position Description: The University of Missouri Kansas City, a member of The Summit League and the NCAA, is accepting applications for the Division I Head Coach position for its Women's Soccer program.

Good news from Western Missouri - the Division I UMKC Kangaroo's are adding Women's soccer, beginning with the Fall 2009 season.

Position Description: The University of Missouri Kansas City, a member of The Summit League and the NCAA, is accepting applications for the Division I Head Coach position for its Women's Soccer program.