MO Soccer Blog
What if...a MO Soccer Promotion/Relegation Scenario
by Admin on 12/16/21
The end of 2021 is almost here and while classes are finishing up and the high school soccer season is still close enough in our rearview to have a decent remembering, we thought we'd finish with a nod to the 2022 season while acknowledging one of our sport's biggest areas of debate - the postseason tournament and classifications.
Much has been written and discussed regarding MSHSAA's Championship Factor and the impact that it has had on the past few postseasons. In the spirit of tweaking the system a bit to try to make the playoffs a little more "even" (for lack of better word), we toyed with our Missouri Power Rankings and came up with a "what if" scenario that places schools into classifications based on a three-year success window. As stated on our website page, this isn't a "real" thing and there are some issues with geography and MSHSAA enrollment size guidelines that we didn't have the time to completely figure out. However, with a little bit of imagination this study does allow for a fairly clear picture to be considered for those interested in seeing a Promotion/Relegation Tournament scenario. Who knows, maybe this is something MSHSAA could explore for all sports...???
This will likely be our last blog of 2021 - we hope these have provided some fun and thoughtful musings on soccer in MO. Much of what we have been able to discuss comes because of the work of Ryan Schweain at Cape Notre Dame, who would likely not want to have any kind of attention brought his way, but whose ideas have been the basis for many of these writings. Many thanks to Ryan for his work for our association!
Enjoy - have a safe and happy holiday season!
Boys Strength of Schedule
by Admin on 12/15/21
Before we put the 2021 season to a close, we had a few more interesting tidbits to share. While we've been busy wrapping up postseason awards for the state and national levels, we've also gone back to do a (very) basic look at each team's strength of schedule. To be able to make it a numerical view, we took a base number (1.25), multiplied it by the team's opponent size and then multiplied it by the opponent's winning percentage.
While we understand that to get a more accurate assessment would be to include the opponent's vs. opponent's winning percentage, that is just a little more work than what we have the time to do for now, so we'll stick to this model as just a simple way to see how difficult each team's schedule truly was for 2021.
As always, these schedule vary due to many uncontrollable factors. Some schools are locked into conferences (the home/home conference schedule especially limits schools when it comes to being able to play different teams), while others deal with geographic or financial/budget issues. Others simply are stuck playing schedules that were put into place without much thought by AD's. There is also the uncontrollable factor of how opponents fare in their other games. Many schools often fluctuate in success over an extended period of time, so scheduling a team that had a big year in 2019, for example, may have been a boost for the strength of schedule in 2020, but dropped significantly if that school had a drop off due to graduation or other factors.
http://www.mosoccercoach.com/21BoysStrengthofSchedule.html
(The link is also on our main web page.)
Tomorrow (12-16) we will release JUST FOR FUN a "what if?" classification and district assignment for the boys based on a promotion/relegation format. We took the previous 3-year average of Missouri Power Rankings (MPR) scores and placed the top 64 into class 4, the next into class 3, class 2, etc. just as if MSHSAA would do it based on the MPR numbers. (By the way, figuring out district assignments is no easy task - MSHSAA has a lot to deal with there, for sure!) For those who would love to see the schools placed into classifications more "equally" and based on recent success, this should be a fun look at what that would look like. More on that tomorrow...
Nov. 23 - Awards and What's Next
by Admin on 11/23/21
Just like that...it's over.
The 2021 postseason ended Saturday with four champions standing alone after the three plus weeks of playoffs. Thankfully, serviceable (dry!) weather, quality competition and memorable matches highlighted the stretch and memories were made for many. After a chaotic and tense 2020, it was good to get back to some normalcy and even better to have 221 tournament games to look back on.
Congratulations to the three champions who added to their already full trophy cases (Rockhurst, Ft. Zumwalt South and Whitfield have a combined 19 titles) and to Lutheran St. Charles for winning its first. All four #1 teams in the Missouri Power Rankings won their classes this year making the MPR 10 for 12 in accurately predicting the state champs since its inception in 2019. (Guadalupe in 2019 and Jackson in 2020 were the exceptions.)
We will do a deeper dive into some of the final weekend (as well as some other soccer odds and ends) in the weeks ahead, but our time now has been spent focusing on post season awards.
On November 24 the MO High School Soccer Coaches Association will announce its four all state teams as we continue a stretch where our main purpose comes to the forefront - that of honoring players, teams, coaches and others involved with the game.
This is not an easy or perfect process. It is likely that many or some will disagree with what is presented. That part is generally inevitable. While matches get decided on the field - one way or the other - the subjective matter of choosing the state's best is another beast. Missouri is a big state. Coaches don't get to see all the players in their classes. Their is always the healthy and protective bias of those coaches to push for their own players to be ahead of someone else. It's natural and as much a part of our game as a goal kick or a throw in.
Until 1998 there wasn't a true "all state" team. Generally there were some media teams (STL and maybe a KC) and usually all district honors but nothing that took into account the entire state under one umbrella. Consolidating wasn't an easy effort, but it did finally happen because the coaches from STL (MO's soccer "home") saw fit to open their arms to the rest of the state - even though most of the "out staters" weren't quite at the level of the top STL teams just yet (although it was slowly happening).
As mentioned before, Blue Springs' 1996 championship started to open a few doors, but it was also the other teams making it into the final four weekends that showed that there were some good players being developed elsewhere. Coach Jan Stahle's Springfield Greenwood squad set a national record in 1996 with 24 consecutive shutouts and played in four straight final fours in the 1A-3A class despite an enrollment of just over 100 students. Chris Lawson's KC Rockhurst squads were arguably the team in MO for over a 20 year period, winning 7 titles from 98-2017. Brad Wittenborn's Cape Notre Dame squad won three titles in the early 2000s, setting a precedent for the SE part of the state while further expanding the game.
In any case, honoring players has been (and likely always will be) an imperfect, yet worthwhile attempt. Our coaches association came together in 1998 because the game's finest and most respected coaches were willing to extend the olive branch to those far from STL. Missouri has long been acknowledged for developing and producing the nation's best players and coaches. Our national team's history runs straight through St. Louis and the soccer culture that was established there. We do not have what we have in our state without those coaches understanding what was best for our game was to embrace the state as a whole. Coaches like CBC's Terry Michler, Aquinas-Mercy's Vince Drake, Francis Howell North's Vince Nowak, Francis Howell Central's Dan Hogan and Chaminade's Mike Gauvain (to name a few) not only gave their full support to establishing our association, but stepped up to help select player and team awards. Without their input, guidance and approval we would not have what we have today.
Our association is modeled after the national coaches association. Formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and now the United Soccer Coaches, it is the largest coaches association of any sport in the world. Headquartered in Kansas City, the United Soccer Coaches have been a fantastic support system for us and regularly honor thousands of players and coaches all over the world each year. (This year's annual national convention will take place in KC in January, 2022 and will have some of the biggest names in soccer in attendance.)
Like the United Soccer Coaches, we follow a system to honor players. We have tweaked ours to better meet some of our needs, but essentially the systems are the same. Coaches have to be a member of the association (pay dues and register) and have full access to player selection - from nomination to voting. Many are very involved. Many are not. Many go beyond that part and help organize regions and classes so that our players can get these awards. It is time-consuming, demanding and often difficult because of geography, other work/job requirements and, to be truthful, at times apathy. In any case, we have been recognizing players under pretty much this same format (technology has helped immensely!) since 1998. This year's class reps have gone above and beyond to make all state happen - all on a volunteer level.
Sunday we released the all region teams. We delayed
it a bit so that the release would not be a distraction to those coaches
and players still playing in the final four. This is the first step in our process. Coaches nominate players for the region teams (this year we have two districts per region - anywhere from 10-16 teams) and the coaches within that region ultimately select the best players from that region based on coaches nominations, strength of schedule, playing ability, value to his team, etc. Players of the year are also selected by those coaches.
From there, we take the four regions in each class and merge them into an all state team. Classes 3 and 4 have more players because there are more teams in those classes. 1 and 2 are generally smaller. While we try to distribute equally among the four regions, this typically doesn't always happen. The truth of the matter is that there is usually a stronger region or two and those regions end up with more players than others. We look at how the state tournament played out, how the season was overall and how teams and players played in some of the more high profile matches they were in. The regional reps work with the class rep to ensure that each region has a say in final selection. Obviously not everyone on an all region team will make an all state squad. As the level increases, the more difficult it is to be placed.
Individual awards are also selected in each class and is done by a voting of the class and region reps. Not everyone may agree and that's likely the case when people will see the teams after they are released. Parents, players, coaches, media and family are all likely to see things a bit different and that's to be expected when dealing with the opinions of so many. Regardless, our all state teams have been selected by the people who know the players the best - the coaches. Comparing player A's season to Player B is often an unenviable and challenging task but we do the best we can based on the recommendations of the coaches who know them best.
Also in the week ahead we will release the 2021 MO Boys All Americans and All Central/Midwest region players. These are the top players in the state - regardless of class - and will be selected by our entire association via nominations and a vote. The United Soccer Coaches honors 85 All Americans throughout the country each year and a total of 380 All Region players. The number of players per state is based on the number of high school coaches registered with the United Soccer Coaches at the time of allocation. Missouri has gradually built our numbers up to the highest we've ever had this year - 4 All Americans and 14 All Region (the 4 All Americans are also All Region, so we have 18 players total.) Ohio has the largest number of All Americans (19) and All Region (64) because each coach in Ohio is required by their state to be a United Soccer Coaches member. MO does not require national membership (which comes with many other perks and benefits) but we do offer a $25 discount to dues and an additional $25 off to convention fees by being a member of our association, so essentially our state fees are minimal. This year MO ranks 5th nationally in coaches memberships - a big jump from previous years.
In addition to all of that we will announce the Academic All State team (we do ours differently than other sports...for more explanation, you can look go to the Academic All State page on our website) and the state Coaches of the Year (for national purposes, there are three categories: Small Public (Class 1 and 2), Large Public (Class 3 and 4) and Private/Parochial (all private, parochial and charter schools - regardless of class size). As a state we honor a Private and a Public Coach of the Year in each class, but nationally we have to fill in those three categories. State winners are up for region awards and if a coach wins the region award he is up for the National Coach of the Year against the other regions. We have several other specific awards that will be voted on by the association and announced in the weeks ahead.
Finally, we will have a few more items to discuss to wrap up the 2021 season. Final Missouri Power Rankings will be posted in the days ahead (Thanksgiving will likely slow our postings a bit), as will the final strength of schedule rankings for each team - something new to look at. While not necessarily an indicator of success, it does bring light to how difficult a team's schedule was for the year. Obviously a lot of factors go into a schedule (location, conferences, rivalries, tournaments, etc.) and it's not an area that can be pinpointed each year because predicting success isn't always an easy thing to do. We will take a look at that in more detail after Thanksgiving.
Plenty more to come...have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 18 Final Four Preview
by Admin on 11/18/21
In what has been a historical and competitive postseason marked with Cinderella runs, shocking upsets and heart-stopping matches, Missouri’s 54th official high school season culminates this weekend at the Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton with 16 schools vying for the title of state champion in four different classes.
The finals weekend is the third consecutive to have all four classes playing on the same weekend and marks a return to WWT after last year’s finals were played at Lake County Complex in Springfield. Due to Covid, only semifinals Friday and finals Saturday were played with co-third place finishers awarded for the first time since 1990. Previously, third place games were played seven times in the first 23 years of the tournament until the 1991 change to add the 3rd place games in 1991. WWT (formerly St. Louis Soccer Park, AB Conference Sports Centre, Anheuser-Busch Center) is the most familiar site of the finals (this is year 31) and a favorite of Missouri soccer fans due to its multi-field availability, picturesque setting along the river and colorful local history resonating with names and teams from the past. Previously, the finals were held for four years in Blue Springs (2011-2015) while Lindenwood (1978-85), Washington University, O’Fallon Tech High School, Musial Field and Normandy High School hosted the early finals.
The decision in 2014 to move boys soccer into four classes, along with last year’s implementation of the Championship Factor placed on successful private/charter schools, has changed the landscape of the final four in one drastic way - 2021 will mark one of the fewest with private schools participating (by percentage) in the final four of any year since the first playoff in 1968. Just five private schools will compete this weekend (31%), eclipsed only by the previous low of 25% (2 of 8) in 1986. No other year has been less than 43% and all of those came after the four classes came into play. (The 2002 final four - the first with three classes - was nearly all private, 11 of 12.) For context, private schools make up just under 24% of the total number of teams participating in boys soccer, so this year’s numbers are actually closer in alignment.
Despite the lower than usual numbers, history, both past and present, still favors those private schools this weekend. As discussed last week (according to the MSHSAA state program/website), private schools have won all but 20 of the 116 state championships in boys soccer (82.8%). Fun fact: 13 private schools account for 75 of the 116 championships, led by Aquinas-Mercy (and its other collaborations) with 11 and CBC with 10. Four public schools are tied with two each and three of those four earned their titles once the fourth class was added. Oakville (1976, 2000) is the only public school to win two prior to 2014.
Since 2002, 52 of the 64 champions have been private (81.3%). Since the 2014 four-class move, public schools have fared better, winning 12 of 28, including all seven in class 3 - a trend that will continue this year as all four class 3 teams are public. (Note: class 3 typically has a smaller number of private schools within its 64 than the other three classes. Only four private schools have reached a class 3 final four since 2014 and just one, Cape Notre Dame in 2020, played in a final.)
While the deep and colorful traditions of the tournament perhaps paint a general perspective, what’s likely more important is the current bios of the teams playing this weekend. Based on the updated Missouri Power Rankings (MPR current through quarterfinal play), all four overall #1 teams in each class advanced to the final four and three of those four were from the private ranks. Simply put, the four teams that finished the regular season atop the MPR rankings are still playing and are likely considered the favorites going into the weekend. Three #2 teams are also still alive, along with two #4 teams.
All that being said, each team playing this weekend survived a two-week test and all were tested in some way. Eleven of the 16 were district #1 seeds, while two others were two seeds. Three #3 seeds bucked the odds and won at least two upsets to advance. MSHSAA awarded 32 district champions this year in soccer and 27 were either #1 or #2 seeds, so the three #3 seeds (Fair Grove, Blue Springs and John Burroughs) have proven their mettle after entering with less than a 19% chance of even advancing from districts, let alone the quarters.
Missouri Power Ranking (MPR) Notes: The number in the first ( ) is the NEWEST MPR after quarterfinal play. A (+.00) number is the difference between the two teams. The lower the number, the closer the two teams are based on the MPR. Typically, a number under (+.5000) means that there is a better chance of a possible “upset.” There were 37 occurrences (out of 205 games) of teams with under a (+.5000) upsetting a higher ranked team, while there were only nine games that teams with a (+.5000) lost. Jackson and John Burroughs (2) combined for three of those nine upsets.
Preview
Class 1
If there is any team who has escaped postseason drama this year, it’s St. Pius. Brentwood ended the Lancers’ seven-game shutout streak in the quarters, but that was the only blemish in the 7-1 win. Fair Grove, on the other hand, took little note of its #3 district seed in reaching its second final four with this senior class. First-year coach Krista Miller has guided the Eagles to six straight wins. Both teams have shown the ability to find the net, but the Lancers defense (0.9 Goals Against Average) could be the deciding factor. Neither team has ever reached a final, but Pius does have four 3rd places and one 4th. Fair Grove finished third in 2018.
Lutheran St. Charles (1) (+.2475) vs. Maryville (4) Friday 12:00 p.m.
The second Class 1 semifinal matches two similar teams with similar backgrounds. Both schools are in their first semifinal and both reached that spot with dramatic quarterfinal wins. LSC, #1 most of the year, escaped Borgia in penalties at home, while Maryville got a 74th minute goal to knock out previously undefeated Smithton on the road. The Cougars haven’t lost (12-0-1) since a 5-0 match against Class 2 #1 Whitfield Oct. 1, while the Spoofhounds entered into the postseason on a down note with a 7-0 loss against LeBlond. In fact, when things go bad for Maryville, they go bad quickly as they’ve given up 27 goals in their five losses. On the bright side, Maryville is able to stay in games with its offense that averages just over 4 goals per match.
Class 2
Each team entered the playoffs as the district #1 seed, but the two paths to the semis were quite different. Perryville stayed at home and won its three playoff games by a 16-1 margin, including a 6-1 quarterfinal win over previous playoff nemesis St. Mary’s. Excelsior Springs won both district games in Odessa by shutout and then had to rally Saturday at Logan-Rogersville from two second half deficits to force extra time and eventually penalties before persevering. Perryville (since 2009) hasn’t had a losing season - usually behind its offense, which has statistically put up better numbers than ever before this year (5.1 Goals Per Game), but its stingy defense has also been up to the task (.8 GAA). ES, on the other hand, has been sporadic over the years - including last season’s 5-14 mark, but Zac Ganzer’s squad keeps finding a way and have made a 13 game improvement since last year. Perryville has won both previous semi appearances, while the Tigers won its only other semi way back in 2004.
Whitfield (1) (.9379) vs. Harrisonville (16) 5:00 p.m. Friday
On paper this is the biggest discrepancy between two teams playing Friday. The Warriors enter the semi with all the history (7 titles, 3 2nd place in 10 attempts), the recent success (#1 or #2 in MPR all season) and even some motivation after losing last year’s Class 1 final 1-0. Whitfield bumped up a class with most of last year’s core intact and a new coach in Charlie Noonan, but had to navigate the most difficult Class 2 district with Westminster (3) and Orchard Farm (5). The quarters proved less stressful in a 6-0 victory over Christian (21). The Wildcats, while a #1 district seed despite its losing mark, haven’t had an easy night on the pitch in almost a month. Dan Coleman’s squad lost the last two regular season matches by a goal each (including a 1-0 decision at Excelsior Springs) before slipping past St. Pius (KC) in OT and Barstow 4-3 in 2OT in the district finals. The quarters weren’t much easier as a 72nd minute goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win over Chillicothe. The Wildcats will have to be sharp defensively and efficient on restarts if it wants to take out the Class 2 favorite.
Class 3
Class 3’s rookie of the final four (Ladue) meets up with the most experience squad (Glendale) in what could be the most even match of the day. Glendale coach Jeff Rogers has pretty much seen it all and done it all in his 31 seasons - all except for win a state title. He’s closing in on 600 boys wins, something only four other MO coaches have accomplished, and with a big girls season could eclipse 1,000 wins in the spring. The Falcons have made things interesting in the postseason - nearly blowing a two-goal lead in the district final against Catholic and hanging on to a 3-0 lead for a 3-2 win in Saturday’s quarter against Neosho. Ladue coach Dave Aronberg is no stranger to the postseason, but this year marks Ladue’s first final four appearance after a decade of district dominance. In a rare common opponent comparison Friday, both teams lost to Pembroke Hill during the season: Ladue 3-0 and Glendale 4-0. That was Glendale’s only loss in the past 20 games. Ladue entered the playoffs losing three of four but arguably played its best match of the year in Saturday’s 2-0 quarter win at Mehlville.
Van Horn (10) vs. Ft. Zumwalt South (1) (+.6875) 1:30 p.m. Friday
Ft. Zumwalt South coach Jim Layne and his Bulldogs have gone all year wearing the defending champion target on their collective backs and seem to rise up when challenged behind its experienced squad as evidenced by its come-from-behind quarter win over Rockwood Summit. A big Bulldog weekend would give them their third title in four years and make Layne the only public coach to win three boys titles. FZS topped Van Horn in the 2018 semis en route to its first state title in the only other meeting. Both teams did defeat East (KC) in the regular season, FZS 9-1 and VH 5-3. Van Horn also had to eliminate local rivals Guadalupe in the quarters and William Chrisman in the district finals behind an improved defense that has only allowed two goals in its seven game win streak. The Falcons will need that kind of staunch defensive effort if it wants to pull the upset against a salty FZS squad.
Class 4
Jackson (17) vs. Blue Springs (8) (+.2578) 4:00 p.m. Friday
Zack Walton’s Jackson squad and Mike Palermo’s Wildcats went 1-1 against common opponents. Jackson lost to Kickapoo 4-0, while Blue Springs edged Kickapoo Saturday 1-0. Jackson took out Lee’s Summit West 2-1, while BS lost to LSW 2-1 in OT. Jackson is coming off a big OT win at home against Marquette - continuing a two-season run of extra time playoff success, while the Wildcats are used to road playoff games after three trips to Columbia for districts and a trip to Springfield for the quarters.
Rockhurst (1) (.+7931) vs. John Burroughs (11) 7:00 p.m. Friday
Coach Matt Darby has the Hawklets back in the final four for the first time since 2018, which is an eternity for the program that has 40 playoff appearances, the most in state history. Saturday’s 1-0 win over a determined Park Hill squad came late at home off the foot of a freshman and also exemplified how difficult Rockhurst is to topple. Don’t expect a lot of offense here - both teams hang their hats on the defenses as each have allowed under .7 goals per game. The late Friday game time will also add a different dimension as chillier temperatures and slicker surfaces could come into play. No matter the weather this game between two of MO’s best programs will likely be a game worthy of the buildup, especially if the Bombers can shorten it and get into the second half ahead or even. Rockhurst defeated Chaminade 3-0 and Pembroke Hill 2-0, while JB split with Chaminade (2-1 loss and 1-0 win) and lost to Pembroke Hill 2-0.
Fore more information, here is the MSHSAA link to the championship weekend.
https://www.mshsaa.org/cmspages/BoysSoccerInfoCentral.aspx
Nov. 15 - Quarterfinal Recap
by Admin on 11/15/21
We had to wait a whole week for games, but Saturday was definitely worth that wait. Nine of the 16 games were decided by a goal and four others were 1-goal affairs until late in the second half. Another game was a 2-1 game at half. Two penalty kick shootouts decided games, while another featured FOUR penalties in the run of play. Yet another had a golden goal decide it in OT from a team used to winning those kind of games.
Home teams took advantage of that factor - winning 11 of the 16 matches. The home team factor is arguably a tough one for all involved - mainly because its random district placement matched with the calendar year basically means that hosting is the luck of the draw. Based on updated MPR rankings, seven of Saturday’s matches would qualify as upsets, with three of those upsets coming at the home field of the lower ranked team. Ladue’s win at Mehlville, Excelsior Springs win at Logan-Rogersville and Maryville’s win at Smithton were true road upsets combining lower MPR and playing at a higher ranked team. Harrisonville, Van Horn, John Burroughs and Jackson all won upsets at home, with Jackson’s -5104 MPR being the biggest statistically and one of only 9 wins in the whole tournament with a score of over .5000. Fair Grove was a solid favorite (+.5281) and won at Laquey, while Blue Springs (+.0054) had a minuscule edge and won on the road.
Class 1
Brentwood (10) at St. Pius X (Festus) (3) (+.32) St. Pius X, 7-1.
A late season run from Brentwood wasn’t enough to hold off St. Pius as the Lancers nearly equaled the in-season game with a comfortable 7-1 win. Pius (17-6) will be looking to make its first final with coach Aaron Portell after making five previous final four appearances (four 3rds and fourth) under Hall of Fame coach Dan Bokern, the namesake of the St. Pius home field where the Lancers won Saturday.
Fair Grove (12) (+.46) at Laquey (24) Fair Grove, 2-0
Fair Grove (15-8) took advantage of an early goal off a rebound to eliminate Laquey for the second consecutive year. A second goal with 28 minutes to play gave the Eagles and first year coach Krista Miller some breathing room and sends them into its second final four. Laquey ends at 10-14-1.
St. Francis Borgia (19) at Lutheran St. Charles (1) (+1.14) Lutheran St. Charles 2-1 (3-1 PK)
High drama in St. Charles as the top seeded Cougars (20-5-1) advanced in a penalty kick shootout. LSC had a 1-0 lead at half, but Borgia (5-19) got the equalizer with just under 16 to play, sending the game into two 15 minute OTs and eventually penalties, where LSC advanced with a 3-1 differential. A classic case of a team getting hot at the end, Borgia nearly pulled off the upset. LSC makes its first final four.
Maryville (4) at Smithton (2) (+.20) Maryville 1-0
Class 1’s closest (on paper) quarterfinal didn’t disappoint. Maryville had a last second first half goal nullified as it came after the clock went to 0:00, but managed to find the net with six minutes to play to send the Spoofhounds and coach Jesus Gonzalez (15-5-1) to its first final four. Host Smithton suffered its first loss - finishing 23-1.
Class 2
St. Mary’s (11) at Perryville (3) (+.46) Perryville, 6-1
Perryville’s (22-3) high-scoring offense finally wore down St. Mary’s (11-8-1) in the second half, scoring four times to pull away from a 2-1 halftime edge. The Pirates return to Soccer Park for the first time since finishing 2nd in 2015 and winning Class 2 in 2014, the first year of having four classes.
Christian (27) at Whitfield (1) (+1.13) Whitfield, 6-0
The top overall team in Class 2 rolled to an easy quarter win at home. The Warriors (17-5) will be looking for their 8th title and first since 2010 after losing the Class 1 final 1-0 last year. Christian’s (11-11) Cinderella run ends after a wild district week.
Excelsior Springs (9) at Logan-Rogersville (5) (+.17) Excelsior Springs 3-2 (PK)
What looked like a toss-up game on paper proved to be exactly that. Host L-R (19-5) took a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the game, but Excelsior Springs knotted it early in the second half only to see LR score again on a penalty. ES got the equalizer with 17 minutes to play after a long restart and mad scramble in the box that forced the extra sessions that eventually went to penalties where the Tigers (18-5) advanced for the first time since finishing 2nd in 2004.
Chillicothe (8) (+.54) at Harrisonville (21) Harrisonville, 1-0
Another nail-biter in Harrisonville where the host team punched in the decisive goal with just over 8 minutes left. The Wildcats (10-10-1) move on for the first time since 2017’s fourth place team, while Chillicothe’s historic season ends at 20-4.
Class 3
Ladue (6) at Mehlville (3) (+26) Ladue, 2-0
A long wait finally ended Saturday with the Rams (22-6-1) decision over Mehlville (18-3-1). Ladue gets over the quarterfinal hump in its 10th appearance with a huge road win over a Mehlville squad that had been top ranked earlier in the year. Ladue entered the playoffs on a two-game losing slide (and three of four), but righted the ship in what’s been a tense, but ultimately rewarding, postseason for Coach Dave Aronberg’s squad.
Neosho (8) at Glendale (2) (+.48) Glendale, 3-2
Glendale (25-3) seemed to have this one wrapped up early in the second half when it got out to a 3-0 lead, but Neosho (14-5) refused to quit and got to within 3-2 with 12 minutes to play. The Falcons held on for its second consecutive 3-2 win in the playoffs that featured early Glendale leads and late drama. Glendale’s win is the third in the past four seasons against Neosho in the playoffs.
Rockwood Summit (17) at Ft. Zumwalt South (1) (+.88) Ft. Zumwalt South, 2-1
When two teams with four of the last six Class 3 titles meet up in a quarter, it’s likely going to be a war and the two teams didn’t disappoint in a physical, tense match that went down to the wire. Summit (14-11) had the early 1-0 advantage that lasted until midway through the second half before FZS (23-3) tied it. The game-winner came with 17 minutes to play and the Bulldogs held on to keep their repeat title dreams alive.
Guadalupe (12 (+.16) at Van Horn (21) Van Horn, 2-0
Two teams with a rich local rivalry also went down to the wire in KC’s quarterfinal action. Van Horn (17-7-1) and Guadalupe (12-7) were even at the break, but VH punched in a 47th minute goal and added another insurance goal in the final moments to advance in front of an electric home crowd. The Falcons had struggled with giving up goals earlier in the year, but are now riding clean sheets in five of their last six matches.
Class 4
There is perhaps no team better suited for last-minute drama than the Jackson Indians (18-7-2). A year after winning the 2020 Class 4 title in a heart-stopping run that saw four of its five playoff games go into OT (7 OT’s total), Zack Walton’s squad was at it again Saturday. Jackson’s goal with under 30 seconds to play in the first OT eliminated Marquette (16-5-1) in stunning fashion.
Blue Springs (17) at Kickapoo (10) (+.21) Blue Springs, 1-0
Two equally matched teams met in Springfield with Blue Springs continuing its road success in a 1-0 win behind a goal with 21 minutes left. Kickapoo (20-7-1) hit the post and crossbar in an opening second half flurry, but the Wildcats (15-8) continued their solid defensive play in the playoffs - four games, four shutouts - and held on.
Liberty (Wentzville) (13) (+.17) at John Burroughs (21) John Burroughs, 2-0
Just when you thought John Burroughs had done (and seen) it all this postseason, there was more. The Bombers (17-6-1) hosted a Liberty (17-6-2) squad riding high off an emotional win over St. Dominic and got out to a 1-0 halftime lead via a penalty. From there, the game picked up and JB keepers (one off the bench after a GK yellow) faced not one, not two, but THREE penalty kicks - without allowing any to score before getting a little bit of breathing room with a breakaway goal in the last few minutes. A week after taking out #2 SLUH and #3 Chaminade, Burroughs, a squad bumped up two classes by the Championship Factor, gets a match with #1 Rockhurst in the semis.
Park Hill (23) at Rockhurst (1) (1.09) Rockhurst, 1-0
This would seemed a bit one-sided on paper, but Park Hill (15-9-1) gave the overall #1 team in MO all it could handle at Rockhurst. The Hawklets (22-2) broke through in the game’s final five minutes on a goal by a freshman to advance and end Park Hill’s upset bid. The state’s most awarded program will return to Soccer Park for the first time since 2018 on the strength of its defense, which secured its 15th shutout Saturday.
