10/22 – Monday – “Continued” Waynesville game – Away 5:00 Varsity 1-0 us with 6 minutes to play in the first half
JV will finish their game with Waynesville as well, 1-1 score at halftime

10/23 – Tuesday – Ozark – Away – 4:00 – V – JV game has been CANCELED

Ozark Conference, Class 3, District 12 Seeding & Game Information – Games held at Joplin
#1 – Kickapoo
#2 – PARKVIEW
#3 – Joplin
#4 – Ozark
#5 – Neosho
#6 – Nixa

First round: Monday, October 29th
Kickapoo & Parkview – bye
#4 Ozark #5 Neosho
#3 Joplin vs. #6 Nixa

Semi-Finals: Tuesday, October 30th
#1 Kickapoo vs. winner of #4/#5
#2 Parkview vs. winner of #3/#6

Finals: Thursday, November 1st at 6:00PM

The Parkview Varsity squad faced Neosho on thursday night looking to start a new win streak, not only were they successful by defeating Neosho 6-1 at JFK but they were also able to re-awaken the sleeping giant which has been the offense. Parkview’s Varsity had only been able to score 7 goals in their last 7 games (although they were 6-1 over that stretch), but against the Wildcats the Vikings were able put a crooked number on the scoreboard relatively early in the match. The Vikings dominated play early in the game by controlling the midfield, playing 1 and 2 touch balls, and spread the field. The Vikings scored the first two goals of the match, one of which was on a cross from the corner by Tim Griffin that deflected off Matt Medley and into the perfect spot for striker Matt Beckett to finish off into the back of the net. With the Vikings up 2-0 early in the game Neosho was able to take advantage of a corner kick on a cross and volley finish, leaving the halftime score 2-1 Parkview. The second half the Viking team took the field with renewed aggressiveness and a nose for the goal, Morgan Holt hit a rocket into the corner of the goal and Matt Beckett played a perfect ball up to Tim Griffin who was able to finish with a beautiful half volley shot of his own into the upper corner of the netting. The final score was 6-1 Parkview, who were able to awaken their offense thanks to a commitment to quick passing and quality team play.

The Junior Varsity Parkview squad was also able to pick up a win thursday night against the Wildcats, claiming a 1-0 victory for their 3rd of the season. The Viking defense was able to limit the number of Neosho shots on goal, earning their keeping a shut-out that is more a statement of quality defensive play than anything else. Parkview was able to stay marked the majority of the game, keeping the ball on the offensive half of the field for the majority of the match. A penalty kick was earned in the box when a Viking player was fouled as he dribbled through defenders, and Sam Vigil was able to put the penalty shot in the upper 90 of the goal for his second successful penalty kick in as many attempts. This match was a strong improvement from their 2-0 loss in Camdenton mostly because the boys were able to stay mentally and physically in the game from whistle to whistle, marking well, winning headers and 50-50 balls in the middle of the field, and playing aggressivelly throughout.

The Vikings face Lebanon at home on tuesday. These teams have faced off once before during the year with Parkview taking an early season 4-0 victory in a varsity only Viking Tournament match. The game will be played on the Vikings’ grass field with varsity playing at 4:00 and the junior varsity match to follow.

-Joseph Florez

Neosho comes to town tomorrow, with games at JFK. The JV starts first at 5:30pm followed by the Varsity. Come out and support the Vikings!

The Parkview boys varsity looked to continue their 8 game unbeaten streak Tuesday night, but instead were defeated by the Camdenton Lakers 2-0. The play was even from the start of the match, with both teams applying pressure on goal but neither getting any great scoring chances until the middle of the first half when a Camdenton player passed the ball up to an attacker guarded by Jared Moore. Moore made what seemed to be a solid tackle just outside the 6, knocking the ball completely outside of the penalty area and making contact with the attacker as well. The referee decided that this tackle was a foul, resulting in a penalty kick for the Lakers inside the penalty area. Goalkeeper Jon Malter made a diving save to his left knocking the ball out but a Camdenton player followed up the play and finished the goal before any Parkview players could recover. Coach Clint Nurnberg demanded an explanation for a call that he clearly disagreed with, but the referee refused to acknowledge him until forced to converse with coach after giving a yellow card to team captain Will Griffin. Parkview was issued 4 yellow cards in the match, their most on the season, including one for Coach Nurnberg following the penalty kick goal. Throughout the rest of the game both teams played a physical and aggressive brand of soccer, and Parkview was able to create a few great scoring chances in part thanks to a solid game by outside-midfielder Leland Eckstam who was able to penetrate, cross, and make plays for the Vikings. Clearly though Parkview struggled due to an inablitity to finish chances and making a habit of losing the ball on the dribble. The goalkeeping of Jon Malter was a big positive for the Parkview boys, although no-one was without flaw Malter not only saved the penalty kick attempt but also showed improved aggressiveness by coming out to grab crosses and balls played over the top.

The Parkview boys junior varsity, who played the first game of the night, had a twin result but a much different game. Parkview gave up a goal right off the bat due to a marking mistake by the defense, starting down a goal which was something the Vikings had been able to avoid of late. The first half ended 2-0 Lakers, and as the second half was underway it was clear that Parkview had decided to give maximum effort from the start, something that had eluded them in the first half. The play was increasingly better throughout the majority of the second half for the Vikings, who found themselves gaining momentum and challenging the keeper with a handful of opportunities. Parkview however was unable to finish chances however, and the game ended with the Vikings losing 2-0.

The Parkview boys will look to rebound in their game against a tough Neosho squad on Thursday night at home. The game will be played at 5:30 on JFK with the JV taking the field first and the Varsity to follow. This Thursday night game at home should be a fun one so come out and support our team!

Also important to note is the “Southwest Missouri Soccer Coaches poll #3, Class 3″ that was recently released, moving Parkview up the ladder.

1-Glendale (35) 14-1
2-Kickapoo (28) 12-3
3-Rolla (21) 12-4
4-Parkview (13) 11-4-1
5-Joplin (8) 10-5

-Joseph Florez

The Parkview Boys Varsity faced the #17 state ranked Jackson on friday night in their first game of the tournament in a tough game ending in a draw. The Parkview boys scored early in this game with a shot by Tim Griffin that seemed to be a cross that found the back of the net, and were able to hold on to their lead for the majority of the game, but with only 7 minutes left in the match Jackson tied the game up at 1-1. Although the boys had a real chance to win this game, by tying Jackson they starting off the tournament on the right foot by playing hard and well against a well respected and solid Jackson team.

Saturday morning the Parkview Boys (minus Will Griffin) played a strong and physical Smith-Cotton team who was able to control possession 60-40 in the first half, and got more than the fair share of goal scoring chances. Parkview’s defense was able to hold on by the skin of their teeth in the first half and stonewalled the Smith-Cotton attack. With only 4 minutes remaining in the first half a pass was sent up field from Tim Griffin to Matt Beckett, resulting in a semi-breakaway that Beckett put away in the lower left corner of the goal. The execution of this key play in the game was exactly what Parkview had been needing, a placement over power shot that resulted in a 1-0 Parkview score at halftime. In the second half Parkview came out more confident and battled well with Smith-Cotton, connected many combinations of passes especially between midfielders Morgan Holt, Darren Shaw, Matt Medley, and Jared Moore. Thanks to a strong team effort and solid defense and goalkeeping the boys earned a shutout making Parkview the victors in this 1-0 match.

The saturday afternoon game between Parkview and Helias was the last one of the day that would be played, and the winning team would get first place in the round-robin tournament. This game was a battle and both teams looked to be dominating at times, and Parkview found themselves short handed with only 4 players on the bench, including missing starting forward Matt Beckett. John Malter made an amazing reflex save in the first half to knock a short ranged power shot away from the goal and out of bounds. The second half was much of the same, with both teams getting their chances but neither able to put them away. Parkview battled hard but was clearly at a disadvantage by having very little depth, although they made a lot of subs during the game to keep everyone fresh it became obvious that they were running out of gas at certain points throughout the game, but were able to give the extra effort to stay in the game regardless of this disadvantage. With 5 minutes left Parkview earned a corner kick that was eventually cleared out to Matt Medley holding about 25 yards out, who half-volleyed the bouncing clear into the upper corner of the netting to give Parkview a 1-0 lead late. For the next 5 minutes Parkview was able to hold off a solid Helias attack by dropping an extra midfielder back, and again earned the shutout winning the game 1-0.

The Parkview boys won the Helias tournament by tying Jackson 1-1, and beating both Smith-Cotton and Helias 1-0. The most impressive stat in this tournament for Parkview must be that they only gave up 1 goal in 3 games against 3 very tough opponents. Earning 2 shutouts, the defense was able to hold strong and minimize any mistakes, allowing the offense’s one goal per game earn the team 2 wins and a tie. This tournament leaves the Parkview Varsity 11-4-1, and the boys will look to improve this record further with games this week at Camdenton on tuesday and against Neosho at home on thursday.

This report was filed by Joseph Florez, thanks Joseph!

In Tuesday’s game in West Palins, Tim Griffin (junior) gave the Vikings the lead in the first half with his unassisted goal. Jared Moore (sophomore) extended the lead in the second half, assisted by Morgen Holt (junior). The Zizzers pulled within one on Justin Scicluna’s penalty kick goal and Parkview held on for the 2-1 victory. This is 6 in a row for the boys in green, now 9-4!

The Parkview JV boys also pulled out a win on tuesday in a game where both teams seemed to struggle to find their “A game.” Ben Haldiman earned the shutout in the boys 3-0 victory, with goals by Sam Vigil, Blake White, and Tanner Bennett. Although it’s fair to say that the boys dominated play 75-25 throughout the game, they couldn’t put away any goals in the first half and struggled at times defensively on the ball. Before halftime West Plains was awarded a penalty kick in the box but Ben Haldiman got his hands on the ball and collected it for a key save. In the second half the Parkview boys were awared a penalty kick of their own, with Sam Vigil finding the inside of the post and subsequently the back of the net for the boys’ first goal, seeming to bring alive the offense. The defense looked much improved in the second half as well, winning most every ball in the air and shutting down the Zizzers’ attack. Christian Weaver found himself at outside back for the first time all season, and was a difference maker in the back for the boys. Late in the second half Blake White hit a shot from 25+ out, beating the keeper and resulting in a 2-0 lead. Minutes later the JV got a low to the corner shot and goal by Tanner Bennett, leaving the final score at 3-0.

-Joseph Florez