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

Boys should bring their uniforms and order sheets.

Will take place 10/22, Monday – “Continued” Waynesville game – at Waynesville, 5:00pm start, Varsity ONLY. Will start with 6:18 left in the first half with the score 1-0 Parkview.

2007 Viking Showdown All-Tournament Team – Voted on by the Coaches – Congratulations!

Nelson Guzman Carthage

Mario Perez Carthage

Jordan Holland Fulton

Tyler Allen Hannibal

J.D. Dodd Hannibal

Matt Slenker Kearney

Corey Campbell Lebanon

Edger Becerra Neosho

DJ Welsh Neosho

GK – Jake Welsh Neosho

Will Griffin Parkview

Tim Griffin Parkview

Matt Medley Parkview

Stuart Ziegler West Plains

Justin Scicluna West Plains

Brice Hunt West Plains

GK – Shane Corl West Plains

The young men head east to battle West Plains tomorrow, Tuesday 10/2. The JV play first at 5:00pm followed by the Varsity. West Plains was ranked 6th in the class 2 state poll that came out on 9/28 (thanks www.sgfsoccer.com). The Vikings beat the Zizzers earlier this year 5-1 in the championship of the Viking Showdown. Good luck boys!

The Vikings came out on a mission, but were stonewalled by Nixa’s goalkeeper in the first half – nine saves in the first half alone. The half ended 0-0. The breakthrough finally came in the 62nd minute when Will Griffin (senior) took a free kick from 40 yards out and put it right on Matt Beckett’s (senior) head. Matt sent the ball far post for beautiful goal, 1-0. Six minutes later Jared Moore (sophomore) collected a ball on the right wing, beat the defender, and crossed a ball into the middle of the box. An onrushing Matt Beckett (senior) volleyed the ball into the back of the net for his second of the night. A very nice buidup from the back of the field brought about the thrid goal. Jared Moore (sophomore) sent a ball into space for Tim Griffin (junior) who collected it and sent a fantastic ball across the face of the goal to Rudy Fotsch (junior) who finished with a rocket into the upper 90 from short range. The final score was 3-0. Nixa had 3 shots on goal to Parkview’s 15. The varsity is now 8-4 on the year.

The JV boys faced a solid Nixa team and friday night, but could not repeat the Varsity’s performance, falling 2-0 to Nixa. While the boys showed signs of their vast improvement over the past few weeks with some good possession and a well orchestrated attack at times, they ended up losing because of the same mistakes that haunted them early in the season: short spurts of defensive letdowns and unlucky finishing. While the boys played solid defense overall, the one or two mistakes they did make were just enough to hurt them, and although the offense had chances even in the last few minutes they weren’t quite able to put them away. The positives however are that the both the defensive mindset and the offensive buildup have come a long way already this season, so the boys will look to bounce back and continue to improve their intensity and smart play.

JV story by Joseph Florez, thanks Joseph