The Versailles Republican Sports
August 16, 2007

Jac-Cen-Del Eagles & Milan Indians compete in soccer season opener

Gary Franklin - Sports Editor
The Milan Indian and Jac-Cen-Del Eagle soccer teams squared off for the season opener for both schools on Tuesday evening, August 14, at JCD. The second regular season meeting between the Indians and Eagles is slated to be played at Milan on September 12.

The JCD Eagles, as the ORVC champions of a year ago, recently enjoyed the addition of lights on their soccer field which gives them an opportunity of hosting tournaments in the future.

The Indians, on the other hand, also find new reason for hopes to be elevated as they are under a new coach this year. Kevin Walter has taken the reins and has the kids excited about the new possibilities his direction can take them.

Though this was actually opening night for school contesting this fall, the Eagles have not sat idly by over the summer. They have played in tournaments, worked to toughen up and plan to extend their winning ways as the season progresses. Coach Mark Jones beams as he speaks of "my kids effort".

THE GAME
The Eagles persistently pounded the Milan goalie, Josh Brown, once they got their rhythm going. However, time and again, Indian Brown defended and stopped the scoring drives by the Eagles.

At the 32:56 mark of the game, David Busch put the first Eagle score on the board. He again scored at 12:16 to take the Eagles to half time with a 2-0 lead.

The Eagle attack seemed relentless to goalie Brown and Josh Forbes scored his first goal of the year at the 19:18 mark of the second half to give JCD a 3-0 lead. Approximately 45 seconds later, Busch added his third score of the game to put them up 4-0.

The Indian attempts at scoring were deterred as were the Eagle attempts for the remainder of the regulation time resulting in a final of JCD 4 -0 Milan.

Both coaches were pleased for the most part for their team's efforts. Many aspects of the game can be taken by them and reflected on to prepare and stratigize before their next competitions.

A third link to this puzzle is the South Ripley Raiders boys team. The Raiders fought hard last season, but came up short. They too are under new leadership with Coach Matt Obendorf now at the helm. Discipline is key to his program and time will tell who can gut it up to his drive and who will fall behind and drop out.

Many changes, continuing challenges, and persistent rivalry amidst the players and their schools should merit an exciting season for those who enjoy the game of soccer.

Of the three schools, South Ripley is the only one to have enough interest among female players to warrant both a male and a female team. Milan and JCD each must contest against all boy teams as they are considered boys teams with female players on them.

The Raider boys team will take on the Milan Indians at Milan on September 5 at 4:30. Raider boys will face the JCD Eagles on September 10 at JCDHS. The last two Raider boys regular season scheduled games are at home against Jac-Cen-Del on September 28 and Milan on October 1.

 

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Eagle team members pictured front, from left are: Shane Adams, Brandon Wilhoit, Heather Linville, Becca Meister, Megan Hardy, Alissa Stolze, Josh Forbes and Joe Rangel. Row 2: Head Coach Mark Jones, Steven Douglas, Justin Stepleton, Michael Luers, Jeremy Wagner, Eric Horan, Zach Simon, Brock Billman, Gerald Hardesty, Spencer Purdy, Trevor Arnett, Danny Meister, Kellen Stolze, David Busch, Assistant Coach Loren Stolze and Eric Wirth. Not pictured are Coty Horn and Renee Meister.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Indian team members pictured front, from left are: Zach Schmidt, Josh Brown, John Burgan, Katie Dickey, Maria Thompson, Jacob Gutzwiller, Shelby Zornes, Trisha Louden and Beth Hartman. Row 2: Tyler Reese, Craig McKittrick, Aaron Gutzwiller, Josh Dickey, Todd Edwards, Sean Laub, TJ Shannon, Michael Pruss, Head Coach Kevin Walter, Zach Holland, Jordan Johnson, Robby Shannon, Alex Walter and Robby Schlotterbeck. Not pictured is Brittani Boothe.

 

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