On Saturday we woke up at 9 a. m. for our day of SPARQ testing. We ate breakfast around 9:30 and then prepared to put our athleticism to the test. We arrived at the fields around 10:30 for our 11 o’clock time. We did the usual SPARQ warm up, but with 2 extremely intense trainers. After getting our blood flowing and our muscles warm it was time to represent St. Louis against some of the best athletes in America through SPARQ. The first test was the 20-yard SPARQ sprint where JC and Travis put up top scores. Next was the arrowhead, which is an agility SPARQ test where surprisingly, goalkeeper Derek Oney had one of the best scores. Following arrowhead and the 20-yard sprint was the vertical test. After about an hour of testing we were all ready to kick our feet up and relax since we didn’t have a game. We had lunch after SPARQ and then spent the rest of the day relaxing. Just a side note, the older kids did better on everything in SPARQ testing, like in the rest of the season.
Afterwards, we continued on our quest to eat a healthy SPARQ meal at Cici’s pizza. Adie said the cinnamon buns at Cici’s made his mouth water. However, he was too tired to go up for seconds thanks to the rigorous SPARQ workout. Cat-man Jose said that Cici’s was even better then Burger King.
When we returned from lunch, Dakota and Seth embarked on a journey with John, a blue collar kinda guy, while the rest of us pretended to study during our SPARQ study hall. They witnessed SPARQ drug addicts buying copious amounts of food, including a big candy bar, which was followed by John telling these pupils the importance of living healthy and emailing their college coaches. English Teacher Decker caught Zimbabwe/Zibawa/Zimblahblah, spreading rumors that the SPARQ study hall was only half an hour long, so many of the younger team members got called in for an extra hour of “studying”. Jared Ray was the leader of this escape from study hall movement. After a 45 minute shower, he attempted to roll into the study hall a half hour late, only to his dismay he found out the SPARQ study hall was moved back half an hour. Later, JR was caught while he attempted to catch SPARQ lizards around the hotel. He was not successful.
After study hall, we left to go visit our old friend Stacey at her buffet. Goalkeeper Kent (I live on a gravel road) Kobernus chowed down on Tilapia fish and SPARQ cheese cake, which he described as “a testament to modern standards of living”. Ariel however was disappointed in the lack of any more tamales, being switched out for fajitas.
When we returned to the hotel, Big Deezy called us in for a “seven and a half minute meeting” in which he warned us against getting too comfortable and taking part in any SPARQ hazing of new kids. Needless to say, we went to bed early without any excitement or any breaking of curfews.
Monday morning, travel day, our SPARQ alarm clocks woke us up for breakfast at 8:00 AM. After a quick run to Subway, we headed for the fields. The older team scored early on a penalty kick that was beautifully placed by Joe Bettger. Brandon Leveling called it “a work of art”. However, lack of organization hurt us and we gave up two goals, losing a close 2-1 game. The younger team got a goal from Caterino “I love Bigmacs” Jose, entering the half at 1-0. However, they lost their lead, losing 2-1, including the red carding of a player who described his tackle as “a love tap”.
The SPARQ vans drove us to the airport in Orlando where we ran to our terminal, only to discover that our flight was delayed. New kid Dominic Hewitt got suckered into buying a cheap SPARQ neck cushion for the flight to sleep instead of studying for his Theology exam tomorrow. I’m sure his parents will be pleased. After a rather lengthy delay due to bad weather and our SPARQ plane arriving late, we are finally boarding the plane for the Motherland, after our fun trip down to Florida.
Cici you later.
Dakota, Seth, Joe, and Zimbabwe
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Spring Showcase- Part II
The 18’s woke up at 6:30 to prepare for their 9 o’clock game against BW Gotschee. We arrived at the fields to find that the grass was quite wet. After we went through our normal warm up it was time for kick off. We played evenly for the first 20 minutes, but then we found ourselves behind after a cross that snuck past keeper Bobby Nedzweiki. After a few more minutes they netted another goal. After the halftime whistle sounded, we found ourselves behind 2-0. We started the second half and soon after Gotschee netted another goal. 15 minutes later their striker netted a blistering volley off of a cross. 5 minutes later Travis Hoguet got behind the defense and crossed the ball to a wide open Dakota Gilbert in the middle, who chipped the keeper and put the score to 4-1. After the fourth goal was scored, we started to connect passes and played very well. With ten minutes left in the half Seth Rudolph put a shot away to make the score 4-2. And with that the scoring was concluded and the game ended with Gotschee winning 4-2. During the second half the sky cleared up and it w as very sunny and the temperature raised at least 10 degrees. With it having rained the past few days in Florida, the humidity made it seem much hotter and made it difficult to breath. Then it was the 16’s turn to take the field. They saw that the older team of the BW Gotschee wore down as we possessed the ball throughout the second half. This is what they would plan to do however they did not in the first half and it ended in a 2-0 score with BW in the lead. As the second half started we made many changes and had fresh legs. We fought hard and Crutcher struck first with a great finish assisted by CJ Cerna. The half seemed endless as the heat kept getting stronger and stronger and it seemed as though the game would end in a 2-1 score. But then a foul was given in our favor in the closing minutes, we knew this would be the last time we would be able to score. With a great ball in by Shorts, Fink jumped in the air and headed in the goal tying the game in the closing seconds. Just after the ball soared into the net the referee blew the whistle and the game ended in a 2-2 tie. Blake and Dale were happy with the well fought tie however think that we can do much better if we just start off like we ended from the start. After the games we headed down to the beach. All the guys got a bite to eat and walked around checking out the stores. Then we hung out on the beach for awhile. We piled back up in the vans and headed back to the hotel. We had a study hall and ordered pizza then called it a night.
Written by: Kent Kobernus, Joe Crutcher, Sam Fink
Written by: Kent Kobernus, Joe Crutcher, Sam Fink
Friday, May 22, 2009
Spring Showcase- Part I
After arriving at the airport at 4:15 am for a 6:30 flight out of St. Louis, we flew to Dallas for a ten-minute lay over. Then after a two hour and five minute flight we were in Tampa. We barely made our second flight because BL tragically lost his phone but it was heroically rescued. On our way to get the vans instead of walking ten feet to the lot we took a twenty-minute monorail ride instead. After collecting the vans we headed to our hotel in Sarasota. It took an hour to get the vicinity of our hotel but then another twenty minutes to locate the facility after we discovered we had already passed it various times. Shortly after settling into our rooms we received a brilliant idea to do the SPARQ warm up in the parking lot from Blake who was six hundred miles away.
Later on, we went to Stacey’s Buffet for dinner, which Sam Carenza described as, “ Not bad, but better then an Old Country Buffet”. Ariel particularly liked the tomales. Afterwards we went to see the fields, and tested out the off road capabilities of the van. We arrived back at the hotel, and went to bed shortly after a lizard catching extravaganza led by one Travis Hoguet.
Wake up, 6:30, the older team got up early to get ready to play. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Seth and Blake boarded Air Trans at 6:00 AM, excitedly getting ready to join us in Florida. Seth described his trip with Blake as, “extraordinary! And bonding.” However, Coach Decker got in trouble from the flight attendant for standing up when he wasn’t supposed to, a real disappointment. The Polo grounds that the games were played at were nice, though muddy. We opened up the scoring with a brilliant finish by Dakota after beating the goalie to the ball, juking him, and putting it in. Half time score: 1-0. After a particularly inspiring speech by Coach Schilly while wearing his bowling shoes, the team came out blazing at the beginning of the second half. After a series of three cornerkicks played in by Joe Bettger, Marshall finally got a head on the ball. Though the shot was blocked by a sprawling keeper, Gus/Forbes was able to put the biscuit in the basket. SLSGM-18 was in the lead 2-0, game over.
This game was followed by the younger team, who were inspired by their elders to come out hard. One player was quoted as describing the game as, “A hard fought draw, that resulted in a tie.” Word for word. The game ended 0-0, with neither team gaining many chances. Travis Hoguet had the best shot of the game, a freekick blasted from 30 yards out, but was repelled by the goalkeeper.
We returned to the fields later at 4:00 to watch the US National Team play a team of all-stars from around the Academy League. The challengers opened the scoring, but the National Team quickly scored to tie, scoring again in the second half to win 2-1. Miller described the game as, “A close game, with many opportunities. But for sure, the National team is legit.” One detractor is quoted as saying, “I’d be on the National team if I was 6’5” too.”
After the game, we went to Big Poppa Nick’s (the fourth) Italian Restaurant. We all went in to get pasta, though nobody got the white sauce, except for Forbes. The food was pretty good, though certain people had tipping issues. They will be punished at a later date.
Presently, we are writing this journal and preparing to cuddle up for a good night’s sleep. Reinforcements are expected to arrive any moment in the form of Blumberg and the Indiana kids.
By Dakota Gilbert, Seth Rudolph and Joe Bettger
Later on, we went to Stacey’s Buffet for dinner, which Sam Carenza described as, “ Not bad, but better then an Old Country Buffet”. Ariel particularly liked the tomales. Afterwards we went to see the fields, and tested out the off road capabilities of the van. We arrived back at the hotel, and went to bed shortly after a lizard catching extravaganza led by one Travis Hoguet.
Wake up, 6:30, the older team got up early to get ready to play. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Seth and Blake boarded Air Trans at 6:00 AM, excitedly getting ready to join us in Florida. Seth described his trip with Blake as, “extraordinary! And bonding.” However, Coach Decker got in trouble from the flight attendant for standing up when he wasn’t supposed to, a real disappointment. The Polo grounds that the games were played at were nice, though muddy. We opened up the scoring with a brilliant finish by Dakota after beating the goalie to the ball, juking him, and putting it in. Half time score: 1-0. After a particularly inspiring speech by Coach Schilly while wearing his bowling shoes, the team came out blazing at the beginning of the second half. After a series of three cornerkicks played in by Joe Bettger, Marshall finally got a head on the ball. Though the shot was blocked by a sprawling keeper, Gus/Forbes was able to put the biscuit in the basket. SLSGM-18 was in the lead 2-0, game over.
This game was followed by the younger team, who were inspired by their elders to come out hard. One player was quoted as describing the game as, “A hard fought draw, that resulted in a tie.” Word for word. The game ended 0-0, with neither team gaining many chances. Travis Hoguet had the best shot of the game, a freekick blasted from 30 yards out, but was repelled by the goalkeeper.
We returned to the fields later at 4:00 to watch the US National Team play a team of all-stars from around the Academy League. The challengers opened the scoring, but the National Team quickly scored to tie, scoring again in the second half to win 2-1. Miller described the game as, “A close game, with many opportunities. But for sure, the National team is legit.” One detractor is quoted as saying, “I’d be on the National team if I was 6’5” too.”
After the game, we went to Big Poppa Nick’s (the fourth) Italian Restaurant. We all went in to get pasta, though nobody got the white sauce, except for Forbes. The food was pretty good, though certain people had tipping issues. They will be punished at a later date.
Presently, we are writing this journal and preparing to cuddle up for a good night’s sleep. Reinforcements are expected to arrive any moment in the form of Blumberg and the Indiana kids.
By Dakota Gilbert, Seth Rudolph and Joe Bettger
Monday, May 18, 2009
Academy Blog- Match vs. Fire 05/17/09
We started off the day waking up at 8 and heading down for breakfast around 8:15. After breakfast, we went back to our rooms, packed up our things, and headed out for the fields. The bus ride lasted around 45 minutes and we arrived around 10. Both teams were playing the Chicago Fire Academy team. The 92’s played first and started off the game very strong. We had the Chicago fire on their heels from the very start. After a scramble around the eighteen, the ball popped out to Billy Donovan and he buried the ball into the upper 90. After that goal, we continued the pressure on the fire and created chance after chance. Finally, we scored a second goal after Sam Carenza played a long ball and Catarino Jose received it off an error from the fire’s centerback and placed it side netting. For the rest of the half we continued to apply the pressure and could have scored one or two more goals. Second half came around and the fire brought in 5 new players. Around 5-10 minutes into the second half, one of the fire’s wingers broke free down our right side and slid the ball back to an open fire player who slotted it into the back of the net. The fire continued to press us and a couple of minutes later they scored off a corner kick at our near post. The ball was flicked at our near post and into our net. So at this point the game was 2-2. A few minutes later, a ball popped out to a fire player outside the eighteen and he hit a volley into the side netting. This made it 3-2, in the favor of the fire. All of these goals were scored in a span of 12 minutes. For the last 20 or so minutes, we continued to press the fire and look for an equalizing goal. We pushed everyone up and continued to hit ball after ball into their box, but never found the equalizing goal. In the end, we lost 3-2 in a disappointing game.
After the 16’s defeat it was up to the 18’s to leave a name for the Scott Gallagher Metro Academy.
In the first ten minutes the 18’s decided to wait for the Fire to press them and at first the Fire were reluctant to do so. It was extremely bizarre. The Fire would drop off into their own half after they lost the ball and would not come into our half to get the ball back. Our win over the Magic the day before came at a cost as Jared Tejada was too injured to play and serveral of the 18s were either banged up or extremely fatigued from the 90 minute match the day before. We started the match with 3 subs and a striker, Seth Rudolph, who was playing through a nagging tendon issue in his knee. Obviously, we were quite happy to stay in our own half and pass back and forth eating time off the clock. This lasted for about 15 minutes and in the end was a huge advantage for SLSG Metro. After about 15 minutes the Fire decided to press, but even then they were quick to drop off after losing the ball. The first half ended with a few chances for either team, but nothing that was too pacey or intense.
The second half the Fire decided to come out to play. After creating several chances in the first 15 minutes, we started to lose our intensity and the Fire scored an unfortunate goal off a diving header in the 73rd minute. Although this was a blow to the 18’s, they did not give up and Dakota Gilbert soon scored the equalizer. He first hit a very hard shot that deflected off the cross bar and then just moments later scored after his shot deflected off a Fire defender and went into the goal. The Fire responded with a huge amount of energy, however,the 18’s were able to create a few more chances. In the end, the worn down, battered SLSG Metro 18s fought to hang on to a 1-1 draw.
After we (the 16’s) came away with 1 point and the 18’s came away with 4 points on the weekend, we went to eat at Portillo’s Hot Dogs, a place that gave us a diverse variety of choices. Finally we made the long trek back home on the bus and Ken the bus driver led us to the Metro Complex in Collinsville.
After the 16’s defeat it was up to the 18’s to leave a name for the Scott Gallagher Metro Academy.
In the first ten minutes the 18’s decided to wait for the Fire to press them and at first the Fire were reluctant to do so. It was extremely bizarre. The Fire would drop off into their own half after they lost the ball and would not come into our half to get the ball back. Our win over the Magic the day before came at a cost as Jared Tejada was too injured to play and serveral of the 18s were either banged up or extremely fatigued from the 90 minute match the day before. We started the match with 3 subs and a striker, Seth Rudolph, who was playing through a nagging tendon issue in his knee. Obviously, we were quite happy to stay in our own half and pass back and forth eating time off the clock. This lasted for about 15 minutes and in the end was a huge advantage for SLSG Metro. After about 15 minutes the Fire decided to press, but even then they were quick to drop off after losing the ball. The first half ended with a few chances for either team, but nothing that was too pacey or intense.
The second half the Fire decided to come out to play. After creating several chances in the first 15 minutes, we started to lose our intensity and the Fire scored an unfortunate goal off a diving header in the 73rd minute. Although this was a blow to the 18’s, they did not give up and Dakota Gilbert soon scored the equalizer. He first hit a very hard shot that deflected off the cross bar and then just moments later scored after his shot deflected off a Fire defender and went into the goal. The Fire responded with a huge amount of energy, however,the 18’s were able to create a few more chances. In the end, the worn down, battered SLSG Metro 18s fought to hang on to a 1-1 draw.
After we (the 16’s) came away with 1 point and the 18’s came away with 4 points on the weekend, we went to eat at Portillo’s Hot Dogs, a place that gave us a diverse variety of choices. Finally we made the long trek back home on the bus and Ken the bus driver led us to the Metro Complex in Collinsville.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Matches vs. Chigaco Magic 5/16/09
Due to the storm that passed over Chicago on Friday night, the Saturday matches were moved to the astroturf field at Loyola University. After a meager breakfast at the Comfort Suites, the bus set out for the campus. The day got off to an unideal start when the referees for the 92's game arrived an hour late and the game finally kicked off at 1 o'clock.
Perhaps weary from the extended warm-up, the 92's started the game a little sluggish and surrended several early chances. Due to some strong goalkeeping by Liam Stapleton, however, the Magic were unable to capitalize on any of these chances. After making it to halftime unscathed, Dale did his best to rally the troops and they began the second half with new found inspiration. They created several scoring chances in the early going but were unable to find the back of the net. The rest of the game was very tight with neither team wanting to give up the decisive goal and as a result the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Not wanting to repeat the mistake of the younger squad, the older team came out fast and forward Jared Tejada twice found himself behind the defense in the early going, but was twice thwarted by the Magic keeper. We broke the dead lock soon after, however, when Tejada found forward partner Seth Rudolph streaking through the middle of the defense. Not long after, yours truly intercepted a pass and found Aaron Lantz on the left flank. Showing his true class, Lantz bent the ball around the helpless keeper into the far corner for a 2-0 lead to the good. The score stayed that way going into the half, where Dale in his infinite wisdom warned us to keep our level of play up and not allow the Magic back into the game. Unfortunatley, we did not heed his warning and came out of halftime too comfortable with our lead. Our defense was broken about 20 minutes into the half and the Magic forward slipped the ball past Kent Kobernus. Still unable to regain our rhythm, the Magic created several more chances but were unable to beat the crafty Kobernus. Kobernus did, however, require the help of an acrobatic bicycle clearance by the long leg of Nick Marshall in the dying moments and the game ended with a 2-1 win.
Blog Written By:
Wade Martin '90 Academy
Aaron Lantz '90 Academy
Perhaps weary from the extended warm-up, the 92's started the game a little sluggish and surrended several early chances. Due to some strong goalkeeping by Liam Stapleton, however, the Magic were unable to capitalize on any of these chances. After making it to halftime unscathed, Dale did his best to rally the troops and they began the second half with new found inspiration. They created several scoring chances in the early going but were unable to find the back of the net. The rest of the game was very tight with neither team wanting to give up the decisive goal and as a result the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Not wanting to repeat the mistake of the younger squad, the older team came out fast and forward Jared Tejada twice found himself behind the defense in the early going, but was twice thwarted by the Magic keeper. We broke the dead lock soon after, however, when Tejada found forward partner Seth Rudolph streaking through the middle of the defense. Not long after, yours truly intercepted a pass and found Aaron Lantz on the left flank. Showing his true class, Lantz bent the ball around the helpless keeper into the far corner for a 2-0 lead to the good. The score stayed that way going into the half, where Dale in his infinite wisdom warned us to keep our level of play up and not allow the Magic back into the game. Unfortunatley, we did not heed his warning and came out of halftime too comfortable with our lead. Our defense was broken about 20 minutes into the half and the Magic forward slipped the ball past Kent Kobernus. Still unable to regain our rhythm, the Magic created several more chances but were unable to beat the crafty Kobernus. Kobernus did, however, require the help of an acrobatic bicycle clearance by the long leg of Nick Marshall in the dying moments and the game ended with a 2-1 win.
Blog Written By:
Wade Martin '90 Academy
Aaron Lantz '90 Academy
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