The Parkview Vikings went into Waynesville last night looking to start the week off on the right foot, but knowing that a brand new lineup and a brand new scheme might take more than half a game to get used to. The Vikings fell to the Tigers 0-1 on Tuesday night, giving up a goal with 12 minutes left in the match after a fairly back and forth game.
Michael Duff’s sweeper role seems to be permanent in the back for Parkview, with Dane Knapp’s move to the center mid. Jared Moore played up top in Waynesville, but the offense just wasn’t clicking last night. Jon Malter and the defense in front of him looked solid for the third straight game, giving up only one or two real scoring opportunities, but the Tigers were able to capitalize on theirs, while the Vikings were not. The new scheme may taking a bit of getting used to, with four players playing in new positions, and two playing after missing a few games due to injuries, but the Vikings have to feel good about the direction that they’re moving in.
The Junior Varsity squad made a big change in the back as well last night, after giving up yet another goal due to miscommunication and poor clearances, Taylor Shive was moved into the sweeper position for Parkview’s JV squad. Shive, a sophomore who had been playing outside mid and a touch of marking back, held down the role quite well. The JV offense had two great scoring opportunities in the first half, but was unable to finish with just the keeper to beat. In the second half the opportunities were fewer and farther between, and the JV squad lost 0-2.
The Vikings face Joplin on the PHS grass field on Thursday.
Parkview picked up a huge win over Cape Central on Saturday, although the Vikings were playing without starting sweeper Dane Knapp or starting center mid Alex Blanco. The Vikings used Michael Duff at sweeper and, and the defense played cleanly to keep the shutout intact (along with a few stellar Jon Malter saves). The first goal came early in the second half when Brian Otradovec flicked a ball over the last defender and Jared Moore ran into the space and knocked it by the on-rushing keeper. The second goal came when Tanner Bennett crashed the net and picked up the trash, rewarded by some hard work from Jordan Houseman. (photo by www.sgfsoccer.com)
The Parkview Varsity squad lost 1-2 to the Kickapoo Chiefs on Tuesday night. The Vikings got an early goal from Brian Otradovec on a rebound from the KHS keeper, but the Chiefs were able to get an equalizer before halftime. Senior captain keeper Jon Malter was injured in the first half and had to sit out the last 10 minutes of the half, but Freshmen keeper TJ Joy came in and held down the fort in his absense without giving up a goal. Also in the first half Senior captain center-back Dane Knapp got hit hard in a collision and missed the last 50 minutes of the game. This put the Vikings in a tricky situation with one key player playing injured and another on the bench.