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.

It was great to see the offense move the ball like they did, earning a goal off a cross that Brian Otradovec challenged the keeper for. Otradovec’s effort kept the ball alive inside the box, and Alex Blanco was able to put a shot on frame with the keeper still out of the picture. Tanner Bennett, Otradovec, Jordan Houseman, and Jared Moore all moved the ball especially well last night, before Bennett was hit on a header attempt, sending him to the bench for the remainder of the match. After that the tempo was picked up by the others, as well as Blanco and Blake White, with Michael Duff making some great offensive runs as well.

The Junior Varsity squad also lost last night, playing their worst match to date, and losing 0-5. Nothing was clicking for the JV Vikings, playing without their leading scorer. There may be a handful of excuses, but when it comes right down to it, they did not play well. The lone bright spot for the JV squad last night was keeper Evin Barber, who has been consistently strong in the net, much improved from last year, and is beginning to look ready for Varsity minutes in the 2010 season.

So apparently he’s a better coach than he is a mathematician. After further review of the numbers, Coach Nurnberg says that his initial addition was wrong, and his current win total stands at 189 (not 200 as previously reported). Oh well. I promise you that he’s amazing at spelling, grammar, and especially commas, parenthesis, and dashes.

Here’s to getting to 200 this Spring!