STA Boys Soccer 2020

  Amid COVID 19, I wasn't sure I would get to write our preseason look-ahead. But somehow we are opening in less than a week with back-to-back games. In this crazy environment of uncertainty, I was pleasantly surprised by the boys' choice of themes. It just makes sense. They know they have to be business-like in their approach to this season: wear masks (a lot), bring their own water bottles, resisting the urge to drink from that long hose at midfield, social distance, have their own pennies, and bring their own ball.  This summer, while most area teams were shut down, we won the Great Plains League, captured a first and a third in the two Brian White Classics, and put in a robust week of camp. So we did go to work. We have a lot to play for as we bring a great deal back from a team that lost a state title in a PK Shootout against Blue Valley Southwest, the defending state champs. Returning center midfielder, Barrett Kitts , recently explained the offense's 2-0 scrimmage lo

Game .5 26 August 2020 vs. Saints Junior Varsity  All right—we got to don our actual uniforms, welcome a great set of high school refs (one alum), and, we thought, see this year's team altogether on the field. Well, Eames is still not cleared to play, and Konnesky ended up in quarantine—and then 3 starters were late.  So, not quite what we were hoping. And first half, although we controlled possession, we were a little out of sync.  We lead 1-0 at the half. We showed nice improvement in the second half, scoring 5 more, and when the lights went out with a couple of minutes left in the match, the game had to end. But oh my what a shot from Pope did it end on. It was a drop-the-mike shot to make the final score, 6-0. The coaches named Ryan Pope Man of the Match. He got a nice assist off his perfect corner kick before finishing the shot of the match as it ended. But before those and in between, he just closed space quickly, opened the door for the Garcia overlap that got us our first g

Game 0 22 August 2020 in a Blue vs. White pre-Blue-Gold Match (0-2) Honestly, this team has been one of the more active during this pandemic. We won the Great Plains 6 v 6 league, playing throughout July, captured a first and a third in two Brian White Classics, losing only one match on a shootout. And we have done most all of this wearing our masks, bringing our own water bottles and balls, social distancing--just trying to do everything we possibly can to get to play some real high school matches this season. So, we have shown we were excited to get things started this week.  So, we finished off tryout week (Congratulations to Liam Ryan, Barrett Kitts, Jacob Muckerman and Zayveon Russell for being named Josh Lents Tryout Award Winners for their grade) Saturday with a shortened scrimmage featuring our varsity and extended varsity in a scrimmage which really pitted the defense against the offense. The defense prevailed 2-0 in a pretty well-played match from both sides. When I asked Bar