West Plains Zizzer Soccer

This season of Zizzer Soccer started much like last season. The first opponent was once again the Camdenton Lakers. Once again the teams battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation and would need extra time to decide a winner. Unlike last season though, Camdenton came out on top in Double Overtime.

The match started out with both teams having a dangerous free kick just outside the box in the first two minutes of the match. Neither team was able to capitalize. A short time later, a Camdenton shot hit the crossbar and another went of the post. The Zizzers would strike first though. In the tenth minute, Chris Saner took a ball into the left side of the 18 yard box and sent a shot over Camdenton keeper, Nate Lipps’ hands and into the far side netting for a 1-0 Zizzer lead. Both teams continued to put pressure on the other teams’ defense, but couldn’t find the net.

In the 29th minute, the Zizzers were whistled for a handball in the box as they tried to clear a ball out from a corner kick. The Lakers Chris Byington scored the Penalty Kick to tie the game at 1-1. The teams used speed and skill to continue to attack, but the finishing just wasn’t there tonight.

The Lakers went down a man about midway through the second half after receiving a Red Card. The Zizzers couldn’t take advantage, coming only as close as the post on a shot by Stuart Ziegler.

After a scoreless first Overtime, it took just under two minutes into the Second Overtime for the Lakers to get the Gamewinner. Laker Josh Baldwin found himself open from about 40 yards and ripped a shot into the goal. 2-1 Lakers. This was the first match of the season for both teams. Both teams were able to get a better idea of where they are and what areas they need to focus their preparations on in the coming days and weeks. Up next for the Zizzers is the Quincy Tournament this Friday and Saturday. At 5:00pm Friday the Zizzers will take on Kirksville High School. At 9:00am on Saturday West Plains will face off against Five Time Kentucky State Champion (1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1988) - Tates Creek High School from Lexington, KY. At 1:00pm Saturday, The Zizzers will take on the host team, the Quincy High Blue Devils.

The times for Saturday’s games have been changed: The Games scheduled for 10:00am have been moved to 9:00am. The games scheduled for 2:00pm have been moved to 1:00pm. Everything else stays the same.

Former Zizzer Player and Assistant Coach, Jacob Plocher, restarted his collegiate playing career on Saturday, August 25. Plocher is continuing his playing career at William Penn University, an NAIA School in Oskaloosa, IA. The Statesmen played their first Regular Season game today against St. Francis. Jacob found himself in the starting lineup, playing Attacking Center Midfielder in the 3-5-2 formation. Plocher also saw some time at Left Back after one of his teammates received a Red Card. Jacob played about 80-85 minutes in the Double Overtime 1-1 Tie. Jacob is enjoying being back on the playing field and competing again. Congrats Plocher!

There have been a couple of minor changes to the schedule. The first change is:

Tuesday, August 28 vs Camdenton will be a Varsity Game Only and will start at 5:30pm due to the number of athletes with enough practice days to be eligible.

Saturday, September 29 vs Lincoln College Prep will be a Varsity Game Only and will start at 1:00pm due to the fact that Lincoln College Prep only has enough players for a Varsity Team.

The Annual Zizzer Soccer Intra-squad scrimmage will be held Tuesday, August 21 at 6:00pm. The public is invited to watch as the boys get into a game-like scrimmage. The scrimmage is free to the public. This is your chance to see the boys before the opening game against Camdenton on August 28.

The site has been updated for the start of the Boys 2007 Season. I hope you enjoy the website. The photo was taken by Randy Hunt and features this year’s Team Captains (Stuart Ziegler, Chris Saner, Mike Moore, Brice Hunt, and Justin Scicluna). Randy has taken over 2000 photos. They are available for viewing by clicking on the Zizzer Soccer Photos link on the right hand side of the page.

Check back often for all the Zizzer Soccer News.

The source for soccer news in Southwest Missouri is without a doubt SGFsoccer.com. Steve ‘Ole’ Olson is beginning his third year covering High School, College, and Club soccer in the region and much more. The site continues to grow by leaps and bounds as Ole provides great coverage of the sport.

Coming September 30th will be SGFsoccer.com The Magazine. This will be a print edition previewing High School and College Teams for the Fall Season. It will also include soccer related articles on Jack Jewsbury and Harry Cooper. Here is more from the SGFsoccer.com website:

The inaugural issue features Jack Jewsbury, professional soccer player for the KC Wizards of Major League Soccer and a Kickapoo grad.

In addition, an exclusive interview with Mr. Harry Cooper will document the history of the development of the soccer complex that bears his name.

Previews of the 30 High School programs and 9 college programs in the region will ensure that this magazine will become a regular part of the communities travel kit and gain additional exposure for you over many months to come.

Scheduled for publication twice a year, the Spring 2008 issue will feature Ann Cook on the cover. Ann is a Glendale graduate who has represented the US National team, played in the Womens United Soccer Association (WUSA) and is now part of the Penn State soccer staff.

Are you interested in advertising in the magazine and reaching the 40,000 unique visitors that view SGFsoccer.com? Here is the Info:

REACH THE FASTEST GROWING SPORTS MARKET IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI!
The Magazine is part of the expanding reach and market represented by the SGFsoccer.com website. Entering the third year of coverage of High School, College and Club Soccer in the region, June 2007 saw 80% growth in visitors over the previous year. The website traffic exceeded 40,000 unique visitors in the 12 months leading up to that period.

MEDIA INFORMATION
The inaugural issue of the magazine will be a print run of 5000 copies. The magazine will be distributed directly to the 30 High School and 9 college teams that are part of the coverage area and to soccer facilities in the surrounding region. It arrives September 30th!

The magazine will be 64 pages, 4 colors glossy to best represent your organization. It will be a memento, featuring numerous photos from Steve Ole Olsons archive of over 8000 shots. Think Sports Illustrated but with local flair!

The coverage area ranges from Camdenton to West Plains, Joplin to Rolla and all points in between. Youth soccer organizations in each of these areas will be provided copies as well.

Traffic to the SGFsoccer.com website is centered on Springfield with approximately 45% of the overall traffic. 80% of the traffic is Missouri-based, as the many visitors who come here for games and tournaments have discovered The Soccer Resource in Southwest Missouri. In turn, they will be exposed to your business as part of the overall promotional effort for the site and the magazine.

Publication deadline is August 22nd. Advertise now and Join the SGFsoccer.com Community

Steve Ole Olson
417-569-8062

Several former Zizzers and Lady Zizzers are continuing their soccer careers in college. So you can be sure to keep up with what they are doing, I’ve provided some usefeul links.

Nick Dryden will be enter his Sophomore year at Missouri State University looking to build off a successful Spring Season that saw him log significant minutes at Center Back for the Bears.

Missouri State Men’s Soccer Home
Missouri State Men’s 2007 Schedule

Kyle Martin begins his Freshman year playing soccer at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO.

Central Methodist Men’s Soccer Home
Central Methodist Men’s 2007 Schedule

Jacob Plocher will embark on a new road. After 2 years (1 as a redshirt) at Missouri Southern State University and 1 year as an assistant coach at WPHS, Jacob is off to William Penn University in Iowa to resume his soccer career.

William Penn Men’s Soccer Home
William Penn Men’s 2007 Schedule

Logan Ray will be playing soccer at Westminster College in Fulton, MO.

Westminster Men’s Soccer Home

Westminster Men’s 2007 Schedule

Matt Saner and Dustin Smith will be reunited as teammates at Neosho County Community College. Matt will be a Sophomore, looking to crack the starting lineup as a Back, while Dustin will begin his Freshman year.

NCCC Men’s Soccer Home
NCCC Men’s 2007 Schedule

Cody Townsend is off to St. Louis to continue his soccer career at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. Cody will be looking to get some playing time his Freshman year.

Meramec Men’s Soccer Home
Meramec Men’s 2007 Schedule

Jessica Brixey will begin her collegiate career at Neosho County Community College where she will be playing for new coach Damon Solomon, who I met at Missouri State Team Camp this summer.

NCCC Women’s Soccer Home
NCCC Women’s 2007 Schedule

The 2007 Boys Soccer Practice will begin on August 6th at the WPHS Soccer Field. Practices will be held 8:00am to 10:00am and 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Players must have a current physical on file before they will be allowed to practice. Players should have soccer shoes, running shoes, shinguards, and a water bottle for each training session. If the weather is bad, we will train indoors. Players must attend all training sessions. If you have any questions, call Coach Schmitt at 505-9356.