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.

The Vikings (1-1) tallied one in the loss column on Tuesday night, losing 0-1 to the Eagles in Nixa (3-1). (I wasn’t in attendance, so the following was relayed to me) Both teams had a fair share of possession and chances to score. The Vikings were unable to finish any of their chances, but Nixa capitalized on a shot from outside the box. A Nixa player hit a beautiful shot from outside the 18′ that went upper 90′ and dipped under the crossbar for the 1-0 win. Keeper Caylin Manary had a solid game in goal, stifling a handful of quality opportunities for the Eagles. The Viking offense was not dormant, as Shelby Stewart was able to create a few chances on her own, as well as teaming up with Jessica Maerz, Melanie Allen, and Molly Robb, who also had solid scoring opportunities. Mckenzi Payton (sophomore/sweeper) played her first game of the season for the Vikings, and Andrea Wynn (sophomore) made her first career varsity appearance (…at least I think it was her first), logging about 20 minutes at the stopper spot.

Parkview’s Junior Varsity (1-1) squad also took a loss last night, losing by the same margin they recently won by, 0-4. Nixa scored two goals in the first half, the first one coming on a penalty shot. One Eagle goal later came when an unmarked far-post Nixa player finished an opportunity at the net.

The Vikings play their first home match of the season against Rogersville (2-1). Weather permitting, Varsity will play first at 4:00, and JV will follow around 5:30. The game will be played on the grass field.

On a bitter cold night in Carthage, the Vikings began their season with an 8-0 victory. Jessica Maerz scored 5 goals from the center mid position in the first half, and contributed with an assist as well. The assist came on the prettiest goal of the night as Maerz took a corner kick and struck the ball in the air straight to the penalty spot, where Loderhose was waiting for a one time finish out of the air. Loderhose would net one more goal, as would junior forward Shelby Stewart. The Vikings were playing without starting sweeper Mckenzi Payton, but the defense held up fine with sophomore Anna Withers playing in her place. Caylin Manary was credited with her first shutout of the season.

Scoring Summary: Jessica Maerz 5g 1a, Kelsey Loderhose 2g, Shelby Stewart 1g, Caylin Manary shutout

The Junior Varsity avoided the rain during the second match of the night, but the did not avoid the net. The Vikings won 4-0, with the game winner coming early from first year player Mary Langebartel. Langebartel won the ball in the midfield and split two defenders before punching a shot into the side netting. The second goal of the match started on a set piece from right outside the box by Lana Aberle. Aberle’s drive was sent back low and on the ground by Syndie Pilkinton, right to Keyuna Mays who put the ball in the air right past the keeper. Amanda Leckrone and Anna Bingham split time at sweeper for Parkview, and neither allowed many chances at the Viking net. Aberle and Molly Robb both also scored for the Vikings, and Maddie George tallied her first shutout of the season.

Scoring Summary: Mary Langebartel 1g, Keyuna Mays 1g, Lana Aberle 1g, Molly Robb 1g, Pilkinton 1a, Maddie George shutout

Coming up next: The Vikings face a tough Nixa squad, with the JV kicking off first at 4:30, and the Varsity to follow around 6:00.

www.sgfsoccer.com:

A short visit to the home pitch of the Parkview Vikings on Wednesday afternoon to visit with the team, and in particular junior goalkeeper Caylin Manary. The Vikings have a Varsity roster with only 3 seniors, 5 juniors and 13 sophomores entering the season. I’ll let Caylin tell part of the story…