West Plains Zizzer Soccer

The Class 1 District 12 All-District Teams have been announced. The Lady Zizzers received 2 First Team Selections, 1 Second Team Selection, and 3 Honorable Mention Selections.

Named to the First Team were Sophomores, Mollie Plocher and Beth Kittle. Senior, Tiffany Vincent, was named to the Second Team. Juniors, Audi Morrison and Michelle Esterle, along with Freshman, Ashley Martin, were named Honorable Mention.

2007 Girls Soccer Class 1 - District 12 All-District Teams

First Team

Lindsy Archer, Junior, Forward, Bolivar
Tara Bailes, Junior, Midfield, Springfield Catholic
Janine Bird, Junior, Midfield, Willard
Regina Bodine, Senior, Midfield, Willard
Anna DeLong, Sophomore, Forward, Springfield Catholic
Elle Holtman, Senior, Midfield, Springfield Catholic
Beth Kittle, Sophomore, Midfield, West Plains
Shelbie Kirby, Sophomore, Defender, Bolivar
Patsy Middleton, Junior, Forward, Willard
Christina Ogden, Senior, Goalkeeper, Springfield Catholic
Mollie Plocher, Sophomore, Defender, West Plains
Anne Prenger, Junior, Defender, Springfield Catholic
Arielle Santillan, Sophomore, Forward, Joplin McAuley
Danielle Sharp, Sophomore, Defender, Bolivar
Sarah Skinner, Senior, Defender, Willard
Alicia Tonjuk, Senior, Defender, Springfield Catholic

Second Team

Anne Bird, Sophomore, Midfield, Willard
Jonna Brothers, Senior, Midfield, Joplin McAuley
Alyssa Deckard, Senior, Midfield, Marshfield
Maddy Esther, Freshman, Forward, Greenwood
Alizabeth Evans, Senior, Defender, Pleasant Hope
Amanda Evans, Senior, Forward, Pleasant Hope
Jordan Halbrook, Sophomore, Forward, Bolivar
Sarah Martin, Senior, Forward, Springfield Catholic
Jody McFarlen, Sophomore, Midfield, Bolivar
Hannah Renner, Senior, Defender, Springfield Catholic
Maddy Renner, Sophomore, Midfield, Springfield Catholic
Alli Musgrave, Junior, Defender, Springfield Catholic
Amanda Rosier, Sophomore, Midfield, Willard
Rachael Saylor, Junior, Defender, Willard
Shelby Tinney, Sophomore, Defender, Joplin McAuley
Morgan Ulesich, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, Willard
Tiffany Vincent, Senior, Defender, West Plains

Honorable Mention

Mariah Allai, Sophomore, Forward, Greenwood
Shantell Aproian, Sophomore, Defender, Pleasant Hope
Caley Churchwell, Senior, Midfield, Joplin McAuley
Paula Daniels, Senior, Defender, Joplin McAuley
Michelle Esterle, Junior, Forward, West Plains
Erin Fitzgerald, Freshman, Midfield, Springfield Catholic
Tiffany Henderson, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, Bolivar
Cassandra Ingram, Senior, Midfield, Willard
Julie Magana, Freshman, Defender, Bolivar
Ashley Martin, Freshman, Defender, West Plains
Erica Martin, Senior, Defender, Marshfield
Cara McConnell, Junior, Defender, Willard
Kaiti McCormack, Sophomore, Defender, Willard
Audi Morrison, Junior, Defender, West Plains
Maddy Smith, Freshman, Defender, Greenwood
Madison Vodicka, Senior, Defender, Bolivar

Eleven Lady Zizzer soccer players have been named to the Academic All-Ozark Conference Teams. These teams recognize athletic and academic achievement.

Academic All Ozark Conference
Amy Armstrong, Freshman, Back-Midfielder
Beth Kittle, Sophomore, Midfielder
Ashley Martin, Freshman, Back
Katie Shannon, Freshman, Midfielder-Forward
Rachel Skelly, Freshman, Forward

Honorable Mention Academic All-Ozark Conference
Kristin Herron, Senior, Midfielder
Megan Lowe, Freshman, Forward-Midfielder
Audi Morrison, Junior, Back
Emma Ray, Sophomore, Midfielder-Forward
Tiffany Vincent, Senior, Back
Megan Walker, Sophomore, Back-Midfielder

Despite playing one of their best all around games of the season, the Lady Zizzers’ 2007 soccer season ended Saturday with a 1-0 loss to Joplin McAuley. West Plains came out right from the start communicating well and playing together defensively. That translated to an improved offensive performance. The Lady Zizzers were able to connect passes and move the ball down the field. The two teams battled through a scoreless first half. Each team had a couple of free kick opportunities, but came up empty.

In the second half, the Lady Zizzers were able to convert more of their opportunities into shots on goal, but couldn’t get anything past McAuley Keeper, Lindsay Keys. Then in the 55th minute, McAuley’s Jonna Brothers got in alone against Lady Zizzer Keeper, Michelle Esterle. As Esterle came out at her, Brothers was able to slide a ball past her and into the goal for a 1-0 McAuley lead.

After a few minutes, West Plains picked up the pace a little more as they generated several scoring chances. Lindsey Keys and the rest of the McAuley defense were able to keep the Lady Zizzers off the scoreboard as they held on for a 1-0 win. By our stats, West Plains outshot McAuley 15-12 (11-5 in Shots on Goal). With the win, McAuley advances to Monday’s Semifinal where they will face Springfield Catholic who defeated Pleasant Hope 11-1.

The Lady Zizzers have nothing to put their heads down about. They played hard to the finish, playing perhaps their most complete game of the season. The only thing they were unable to do was put the ball in the goal. If you are going to lose, it’s best to go out playing well and that is what they did. West Plains finishes the season with a record of 8-17-0. We will miss our two Seniors, Tiffany Vincent and Kristin Herron, but with the players we should have back next year, we will look to improve ourselves.

For more on the District games, including photos, visit SGFsoccer.com. Steve Ole Olson was out watching the games and taking pictures.

During Halftime of the Lady Zizzer Varsity Match against Springfield Catholic, Nick Dryden was honored as the only member of the Zizzer Soccer Wall of Honor - Class of 2007. Nick becomes the 16th person honored on the Zizzer Soccer Wall of Honor.

The Lady Zizzers finished up Regular Season play on Wednesday, traveling to Rolla to take on the Bulldogs. The games were played at the beautiful, new soccer field located on the RHS campus. With a smooth, flat surface to play on, the Bulldogs passed the ball well and were able to keep a lot of possession. The Zizzers, at times, were able to string some passes together as well. The big difference was the Bulldogs aggressiveness to goal.

Rolla was able to take advantage of defensive breakdowns with good passing and dribbling. Rolla scored a goal in the first minute as a crossing pass found Olivia Cox alone on the left side. She dribbled into the box and put a ball high into the near corner for a 1-0 lead. After the first goal, the Zizzers played alright. They were able to move the ball at times and defensively the kept the ball out of dangerous situations. Then in the 26th minute, Cox struck again. This time she broke free in the middle and dribbled past the defense before finding the back of the net. In the 30th minute, Freshman Jaclyn Standfast headed in a corner kick to make the score 3-0 in favor of Rolla.

In the second half, West Plains was able to get 2 shots, but were no match for the Bulldogs. Although Zizzer Goalkeepers Michelle Esterle and Ashley Martin made some good saves, the Bulldogs were able to find the net 6 times in the second half. Rolla’s fourth goal came in the 44th minute and was scored by Kim Carter. Three minutes later Calli Collier made it 5-0. Cox got the Hattrick one minute after Collier’s goal, to make it 6-0 Rolla. Ashley Kerr got on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute. Nine minutes later Dani Steele made it 8-0. The final goal came just before the final whistle with Angelica Mata knocking the ball just inside the post after Ashley Martin saved the first shot.

The Bulldogs improved to 11-10-1 on the season and 6-3-0 in the Ozark Conference. West Plains dropped to 8-16-0 and 2-7-0 in the Ozark Conference. Next up is a District match against Joplin McAuley on Saturday at Willard. The game will begin at 10:45am.

In JV action, Rolla defeated West Plains 10-0. Rolla scored 7 first half goals en route to the win. Zizzer Keeper Tiffany Mann made some good saves. At times West Plains was able to connect some passes, but weren’t able to defend the Rolla attack. Rolla scored 3 more goals in the second half. The 10th goal came in the 10th minute of the half, ending the game 25 minutes early because of goal differential.

Former Lady Zizzer soccer player, Jessica Brixey has signed with Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS to play soccer. At Neosho, Jessica will be playing for new coach Damon Solomon, who is coming from Wichita Heights High School. Last Fall, NCCC finished witha record of 10-8-1.

Jessica will have company at NCCC, as former Zizzers Matt Saner and Clay Trautman are finishing their Freshman year there. Zizzer Senior, Dustin Smith has also signed to play soccer at NCCC.

Congratulations Jessica!

Springfield Catholic, the #5 ranked Class 1 team in the State, came to town Monday evening. Catholic wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Erin Fitzgerald gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the first minute of play, as her shot from the left side of the box went over Zizzer Keeper, Michelle Esterle and into the back of the net. Elle Holtman would add to the lead with a goal in the 12th minute. Three minutes later, Anna DeLong got free and scored her first of two goals on the night. In the 17th minute of play, Catholic Junior Tara Bailes would score her first of four goals on the night. Late in the half West Plains was able to create of couple of chances, but was unable to put anything dangerous near the goal. At halftime Catholic lead 4-0.

In the 53rd minute, Mollie Plocher dribbled a ball into the box and was taken down by a Catholic defender, resulting in a penalty kick. Plocher converted the penalty kick for her team leading 9th goal of the season. Catholic wasn’t finished scoring. DeLong added her second goal in the 61st minute. Then Tara Bailes scored 3 consecutive goals in the 65th, 67th, and 72nd minutes. Elle Holtman finished off the scoring with her second goal in the 79th minute for a final score of 9-1. Zizzer Keeper, Michelle Esterle, made a couple of good saves to keep Catholic from scoring even more goals. The loss drops the Varsity record to 8-15 on the season.

In JV action, the story was similar. Catholic scored 5 first half goals and then added 4 in the second half to win by the score of 9-0. Despite the score, West Plains was able to move the ball at times and get it into the offensive zone. But once there, the team struggled to shots on goal.

Both teams will look to rebound in the Regular Season finale as they travel to Rolla on Wednesday. This is a makeup game for the rainout last Thursday. Varsity will open District play against McAuley (Joplin) on Saturday at 10:45am at Willard.

The Seeding for Class 1 District 12 Tournament was completed last night. The District Tournament will be held at Willard High School on Saturday May 12 (First Round Games), Monday May 14 (Semifinals), and Wednesday May 16 (Championship). The winner of the District Tournament will face the winner of Class 1 District 11 in a Sectional Match on Tuesday May 22 at 6:00pm in Waynesville.

Results of the District 12 Seeding Are:

1. Catholic
2. Willard
3. Bolivar
4. West Plains
5. McAuley
6. Greenwood
7. Marshfield
8. Pleasant Hope

District Schedule

First Round - Saturday, May 12

Catholic vs Pleasant Hope
Willard vs Marshfield
Bolivar vs Greenwoood
10:45am West Plains vs McAuley

Semifinals - Monday, May 14

Catholic/Pleasant Hope Winner vs West Plains/McAuley Winner
Willard/Marshfield Winner vs Bolivar/Greenwood Winner

Championship - Wednesday, May 16

Today’s games at Rolla have been postponed. The games are now scheduled to be played on Wednesday, May 9. JV will play first at 5:00pm with Varsity to follow.

Zizzer Senior Dustin Smith recently signed papers to play soccer at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS. Dustin will join former Zizzers Matt Saner and Clay Trautman at Neosho County. Last Fall, Neosho County finished 15-5 and were the KJCCC Champions.

Congratulations Dustin!

Photo by Randy Hunt