The negative is that Parkview has lost 10 games this season; the positive is that all but one of those losses has been by one goal. Parkview opened the KHS tournament with a 1-2 loss on Friday night, after taking a 1-0 lead into halftime on a Jared Moore PK. Dane Knapp was hit hard in the penalty area after he had given the ball up, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to the Vikings, who had been out-possessed for the first 20 minutes of the first half. After Moore put his PK in upper-90, the Vikings evened up the possession the rest of the half.
In the second half possession was dominated by Eureka. Their first goal came when a striker was allowed to receive and settle the ball, then turn with it and shoot inside the 18. The second goal came on poor marking/miscommunication when a forward was allowed to get inside him man and finish a mostly uncontested opportunity. The Vikings had a few chances late when Coach Clint Nurnberg put 3 forwards up-top in an effort to kickstart the offense, but the Vikings were unable to capitalize. Parkview is clearly missing Alex Blanco, who whose play has been slim to none after a muscle injury about a week ago. His aggressiveness, marking ability, and field vision is sorely missed.
Parkview will now face Nixa at Ozark’s turf field on Saturday morning at 10:00am. Players are expected to take the bus from KHS, which departs at 8:30am.
