The Parkview Lady Vikings got a bit of press recently in the Springfield News-Leader, but don’t worry if you missed it because it’s archived online still. Highlighted in the article are Jessica Maerz and Caylin Manary.

The Parkview Lady Vikings battle valiantly but lost a well fought match in PKs at Ozark on Friday night. The leaders led for the Vikings, the key players did their jobs and more, and the role players stepped in and played a part. Play was solid all the way around for the Vikings, as Mckenzi Payton had her best game of the season at sweeper, thwarting many Tiger opportunities throughout the match. Payton stepped up well and tackled hard, and was well supported by the rest of her defense. Jessica Maerz had a huge game in the middle of the field for the Vikings, winning balls in the middle of the field and working great with Shelby Stewart throughout th match to create goal-scoring opportunities on the offensive end. The first goal of the match came on a pass from Holly Messick and a finish by Shelby Stewart to put the Vikings up 1-0. Stewart had a ridiculous game, easily her best of the season not only because of her goal scoring ability, but also her work ethic throughout the match. After an Ozark goal off of a cross, the Vikings answered again on another goal by Stewart, this time with the assist coming from Kelsey Loderhose. The Tigers were able to match the goal again to make the score 2-2.

With the score tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, both teams found themselves with a couple quality chances each. Neither team could find the back of the net, which sent the match into Penalty Kicks.

Jessica Maerz and Shelby Stewart both made their Penalty Kicks, and Caylin Manary saved one and watched one sail over the bar, but the Vikings didn’t do quite enough to win the match.

The Ozark soccer website, which always does great write-ups, has a really nice article that recaps the game quite well from another perspective. It’s definitely worth a look. They even mention Shelby Stewart’s last breakaway of the match and a referee decision that I chose not to mention. Check it all out here, and here’s an excerpt from Ozarktigersoccer.com:

Ozark = Megan Jenisch. good 1-0
Parkview = Jessica Maerz. good 1-1
Ozark = Megan Gunnels. good 2-1
Parkview = Shelby Stewart, good 2-2
Ozark = Rachel Haden, good 3-2
Parkview = stopped by Paige Hemphill 3-2
Ozark = shot over the crossbar 3-2
Parkview = shot pushed over the crossbar by Hemphill 3-2
Ozark = shot stopped by [Caylin Manary] 3-2
Parkview = shot wide to the left.

Scoring Summary: Shelby Stewart 2g, Kelsey Loderhose 1a, Holly Messick 1a

Check out Mr. George’s photos from the match as well.

The Parkview Viking ladies beat a tough Lebanon team tonight 1-0, putting Parkview’s season record at 4-2. The score was 0-0 at half, as the Viking defense held strong with a rotation of McKenzi Payton, Sydney Nelson, Holly Messick, Anna Withers, and Andrea Wynn, along with Olivia Solari at the defensive center-mid spot. Lebanon controlled the overall play a bit more than Parkview in the first 40 minutes, but got no real scoring opportunities. The Vikings offensively were not sharp in the first half. Although they were able to create a bit of offense, they did not have any real scoring chances either.

The second half found both squads done jabbing and ready to throw a few big punches. Keeper Caylin Manary was able to come out a few times and make plays on the ball before the Yellow-Jacket opportunities turned into real chances. Midway through the first half, after both teams had found a chance or two in the run of play, a Viking player was fouled about 35 yards from the goal on the offensive side of the field. Jessica Maerz took the set piece and fired it into the box; the ball went directly from Maerz’s foot to Kelsey Loderhose’s head for the finish, as Loderhose tallied her fourth goal of the season (and Maerz’s third assist and fifteenth point).The Vikings finished the second half defending, having secured the lead and were clearly content to strategically close out the match with their 1-0 lead. Caylin Manary earned her third shutout of the season, and has given up 3 goals in the first 6 games of the season.

The Junior Varsity squad dropped their overall record to 2-3 with a 0-2 loss to Lebanon. The defensive played strong again for the Parkview Junior Varsity, but a miscue in the net cost the Vikings the first goal, and Parkview went into halftime with a one goal deficit. Playing without Amanda Leckrone (injury) the entire game, and Mary Langbartel for the second half, the Vikings were unable to muster many scoring opportunities. Lana Aberle had her best game of the season at forward, creating a few opportunities for herself by working hard up top, and finding Alex Shupert on more one occasion with a one-time ball. The second goal of the match came when the Vikings were pushed up offensively trying to find the equalizer, playing three strikers and only three defenders, the Vikings were caught up field and Lebanon countered and finished the opportunity nicely. The Parkview midfield looked much better tonight defensively, and team defending seemed to make everyone’s job a little easier.

The Viking Varsity team goes to Ozark to face a very tough Tiger squad on Friday. The match kicks off at 5:00pm, and is a Varsity-only match.

There are 32 more photos of the game, both Varsity and JV, taken by Joe George. The other photos can be found here, and are definitely worth checking out.

The rest of the day’s match scores and summaries can be found at www.sgfsoccer.com, where Steve “Ole” Olson runs the best midwest soccer focused website in…the world?

Also, check out the Booster Club’s S.O.S.

The Vikings finally got the style of play (and weather) that they’ve been looking for, but couldn’t pull out a road win in Rolla, losing 0-1. The first half found the Rolla Bulldogs getting the better of the play, possessing the ball a bit more and getting a couple of solid scoring opportunities. McKenzi Payton and Caylin Manary were able to keep the Vikings in it, with strong defensive play and goalkeeping respectively. Midway through the first 40 minutes of play, the Bulldogs were able to finish an opportunity and take the 1-0 lead. The Vikings had some trouble connecting passes in the first half, but defended well and took a few nice shots of their own.

The Vikings did not give in however, and were a second half team for the second match in a row. Better team defending in the midfield and up top tipped the match’s possession in the Vikings favor, as both teams found some quality scoring opportunities in the second 40 minutes of play. Melanie and Meaghan Allen held down the two outside-mid spots both defensively and offensively, working hard, defending when needed, and creating opportunities for the forwards. Jessica Maerz and Kelsey Loderhose found themselves with a few opportunities, but there were no easy shots for the Vikings, and they were unable to put the tough chances away. Late in the match the Vikings pushed forward in an effort to find the equalizer, which resulted in Anna Withers sweeping and holding down the back fort just fine. Shelby Stewart used her speed to create a few opportunities of her own, including beating three defenders and putting the ball past the keeper and off the bottom of the post with five minutes left in the match.

The Junior Varsity squad continues to be a first half team, as they went up again 1-0 early in the first half, but could not hold on to the lead this time, losing 1-4. While four goals is a bit much to give up in any match, it’s tough to blame this one on the defense, who actually played rather well. The biggest issue that the Junior Varsity seems to be struggling with is marking (or lack there of) in the midfield. With offensive center mids and far post runners sprinting through the defense like a hot knife through butter, the Vikings can probably guess what they’ll be talking about at many practices to come.

Now for the positives: The Parkview JV goal came 15 minutes into the first half, showing another good start by the Vikings. Amanda Leckrone, getting a surprise start at forward, played brilliantly up top (and may have found herself a home away from home, or at least a nice little vacation spot). Leckrone made a great pass in to Alex Shupert inside the box, who collected the ball and ripped a shot straight at the keeper. Shupert followed up her first hit and placed a much more composed shot into the corner netting for the 1-0 lead (and her first goal of the young season). The Viking defense has come a long well as well, with Lauren Fetty, Carsen Miller, and Andrea Wynn rotating in at the outside back spots, Kelsey Fritts having her best game of the year at stopper (and Kaila Pittman logging solid minutes there as well), and Anna Bingham continuing her solid progression at the sweeper spot.

Check out the other days matches and results on www.sgfsoccer.com.

Next on the schedule for the Vikings is a tough match against Lebanon at home on Thursday. This will be another tough but winnable match, as Lebanon recently tied Nixa. (We recently lost to Nixa 0-1.) The match will be on the PHS grass field, with the Varsity squads facing off first at 4:00pm, and the JV teams to follow around 5:30pm.

The Vikings pulled out a close win at Greenwood last night, recovering from a 1-0 halftime deficit to win the match 2-1.

Greenwood scored in the first half after a Parkview misclear/miscommunication, and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

The Vikings came out a different team in the second half, scoring two and mostly dominating possession after getting dominated in the first half. Shelby Stewart scored both Viking goals, with Jessica Maerz tallying an assist on the second one. The goals were Stewart’s 3rd and 4th of th season, in 4 games. This win puts the Vikings’ record at 3-1, with Rolla, Lebanon, and Ozark coming up this week.

Scoring summary: Shelby Stewart 2g, Jessica Maerz 1a

The Vikings start a tough run of their schedule this week, going to Rolla on Tuesday, playing Lebanon at home on Thursday, and going to Ozark on Friday. The JV kicks off in Rolla at 4:30pm, with the Varsity to follow around 6:00pm.

The cold and rain may have slowed the Viking offense down in the first half, but they were not held down for long as Parkview prevailed over Rogersville 6-0. The Vikings dominated possession and scoring chances throughout the first half, but were unable to finish until netting 2 in the last 3 minutes of the first half. The second half showed a much more aggressive and deliberate Viking offense, and Parkview was able to work the ball around and finish a few more opportunities. Jessica Maerz scored her 6th goal of the season, while Kelsey Loderhose got her 2nd and 3rd. Shelby Stewart netted her second of the season to go with one assist, and Melanie Allen scored two and tallied an assist as well. Outside back Sydney Nelson got into the offensive action as well, assisting on one of Allen’s goals. The back four played lock-down defense for the Vikings as well, anchored by Mckenzi Payton, with outside backs Anna Withers and Sydney Nelson, and stopper Holly Messick. The shutout was Caylin Manary’s second of the season.

Scoring Summary: Melanie Allen 2g 1a, Kelsey Loderhose 2g, Shelby Stewart 1g 1a, Jessica Maerz 1g, Sydney Nelson 1a.

The Junior Varsity squad dominated play in the first half against Rogersville, scored an early goal, and hung on for their lives to win 1-0. The goal came 10 minutes into the first half and Olivia Solari found Lana Aberle on a great pass to feet, and Aberle was able to face up to the goal just inside the 18′ and slot the ball into the side netting. The goal was Aberle’s second in three games, and the eventual game winner. It was a tale of two halves, however, and the second half found the Vikings struggling to finish on offense and giving up some good chances in their own half as well. The JV squad battled back though, and were able to hang on to their 1-0 lead without giving up any real great scoring opportunities. Maddie George also tallied her second shutout of the season between the posts.

Scoring Summary: Lana Aberle 1g, Olivia Solari 1a

The Vikings (2-1) play Greenwood (2-0) on Friday, at Cooper (Greenwood’s regular home field). This is a VARSITY ONLY match that kicks off at 5:00pm. JV players are expected to be in attendance (instead of having normal practice).

Check out the rest of the day’s action here.

The Vikings play their first home match of the season against Rogersville (2-1). Varsity will play first at 4:00, and JV will follow around 5:30.

Weather Update: We have elected to move the girls’ soccer game between Parkview and Logan-Rogersville from the grass field to JFK Stadium. We will keep the same kick-off time of 4:00 PM, and varsity will play first. Track practice will be on-going during our pregame warm-ups and some of the first half, so we need to be respectful and work with each other in that regard. We are lucky to have the JFK field in reserve.