On the first REAL soccer day of the fall season (gray, cool and blustery) the Varsity Vikings edged out the visiting Rolla Bulldogs, 2-1. In a game reminiscent of the team’s match against Rock Bridge, the Vikings controlled much of the play but had a hard time breaking down their opponent’s defense. Despite a flurry of shots on goal and crossing shots from both corners, the team was unable to find the back of the net in the first half. In similar fashion, the Bulldogs were unable to finish on a couple of scoring opportunities and the teams left the field tied at 0-0.

The Viking’s offensive assault on Rolla continued in the second half until a shot on the ground from Jason Florez slipped under the Rolla keeper. The Viking lead was short-lived, however, as minutes later, a Rolla forward beat keeper Tyler Kutz with a low ball to the far left post.

Balanced play from both teams then had fans beginning to wonder if the game was heading for overtime and more importantly, if they could stay warm enough without retrieving the soccer blanket from the car. Fortunately, with less than five minutes in the game, the Vikings kept the ball bouncing around in the Rolla box until senior Seth Fuson beat the keeper from the left side of the goal. The referee signaled the end of the game minutes later with the Vikings on top, 2-1.

A hard-fought battle between the junior varsity squads had a less satisfying ending for the Vikings. With the teams tied 2-2 in the second half, the Vikings suffered an “own goal” to put the Bulldogs on top. Several last-minute scoring opportunities for the Vikings had Parkview fans hoping for a tie, but it was not to be.

Rock Bridge High School out of Columbia, Mo., handed both Viking squads their first loss of the season on Sept. 9. Kicking off at 9 a.m., the JV team battled hard against a very physical Rock Bridge squad. The Vikings, however, could not find a way to slow down their opponent or put the ball past the Rock Bridge defense. In the end, the Rock Bridge offense put its team on top, 4-0.

In similar fashion, while even dominating the first 20 minutes of play, the Viking varsity could not break down a rock-solid Rock Bridge defense to get on the scoreboard first. In a frustrating turn of events, the first time Rock Bridge made a real attack on the Viking goal, the ball found the back of the net.

Rock Bridge scored two more times over the next 50 minutes of play while repeatedly shutting down Viking scoring attempts. Finally, however, with 16 minutes left in the game, a corner kick from Tom Marlow was sent past the Rock Bridge keeper on a header by Matt Beckett.

With renewed energy, the Vikings turned up the heat, again creating numerous offensive opportunities that just could not get past the opponent’s swarming defense. At the end of 80 minutes, it was Rock Bridge 3, the Vikings 1.

The Parkview Vikings took on an improved Hillcrest Hornets team Sept. 5 but were still able to put 10 goals on the scoreboard to end the game early.

Both Parkview High School Viking squads have posted big wins to open the 2006 high school soccer season.

The varsity Vikings kicked off Thurs., Aug. 31 with a home-opener against the Carthage Tigers. Although the Tigers threatened throughout the game, Parkview was able to put four balls in the back of the net while holding Carthage scoreless. This outcome significantly betters the Vikings’ narrow, 1-0 win against Carthage last year. In similar fashion, the junior varsity Vikings were able to hold their opponent scoreless while scoring two goals for a win.

The following afternoon, the junior varsity Vikings took the field first, kicking off against the Jefferson City Jays. The close, 70 minutes of play included scoring opportunities for both teams. However, boosted by several key saves from freshman goalie Jonathan Malter, the Vikings came out on top, posting a hard-earned, 1-0 victory.

The Jays refused to give up and were eventually successful at putting a point of their own on the scoreboard. It then took every effort by the Vikings to neutralize a newly-energized Jeff City squad. In the end, however, the Vikings accomplished their goal of beating the Jays ~ and reversed last year’s score in the process.