The loss moves the team to 2-3 overall, 0-2 in the Ozark Conference.

There are two home games next week, against Rolla on Tuesday and Rogersville on Thursday.

The Hornets will travel to Neosho for the Wildcats Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

In District 12 play, the Willard Tiger’s beat defending district champion Joplin in PK’s on Thursday night so there is no clear leader this season.

See you Thursday for the Tigers in Carthage!

It was not an easy game as the Tigers came out hard to open the match. Despite the pressure, the defense remained calm and more importantly, worked hard to cover their teammates and clear loose balls from the penalty area. The tide turned when the sophomore Kimberly Moore came up the left side in support of the attack and was able to run into the box and get a shot off that required a good save by the Tiger’s keeper. That attack showed the team that they were up to the challenge and the game soon became a back-and-forth affair as both squads worked to get the important first goal.

The Hornets broke through in the 47th minute courtesy of sophomore Cassie Farrell and senior Courtney Busby. Midfielders Raechal Gramm and Shanon Thomas combined to first win a 50/50 ball in the middle of the field before then sending Busby down the right side in attack. With the Tiger’s already wary of her speed and aggressiveness, Courtney found space to get to the corner before sending a cross into the box that was run onto perfectly by Farrell. Her resultant header got past the keeper and the Hornets had their first lead of the season.

The Tiger’s began to battle back and put a significant amount of pressure on the defense but the back line, led by senior Olivia Tinkler, was up to the challenge. The first challenge saw junior Danielle Dorsey come across from the right side covering her teammates before clearing a hard shot to the near post wide. Soon afterwards goalie Orr was called on to handle a difficult shot that she tipped up onto the crossbar before corralling the rebound. Junior Ali Randolph was constant motion throughout the game working to blunt the Tiger’s attack.

The game was forced into OT when the Tiger’s scored on a direct kick from 22 yards out on a perfectly placed ball beyond the reach of the keeper. The goal was a result of a foul outside the box that was representative of the hard nosed, direct play the Hornet’s showed this evening. The resilience the girls showed to get through the two OT periods without giving up another goal, followed by their performance in the penalty kicks, led to a well-deserved win.

I look forward to seeing more of this team as the season progresses! Ole @ SGFsoccer.com

Erin Boschen, 2009 All-Star Game

6:00 pm – Boys game
8:00 pm – Girls game

Played at the Cooper Soccer Complex, site of the Missouri State Cup, it’s a game that players speak very fondly of as they get a final chance to play with, and against, long time friends and foes. A chance to go out on a high note certainly!

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for 13 or younger. Download the flyer

For players and fans, we will be using Twitter before and during the game to send out notices such as possible weather delays or other related items. The Twitter account you want to follow is @SGFsoccer and it will work with any phone that also supports Text messages. Or if you prefer, you may sign up for my phone text message service that I use to report scores with during the season. Sign up here for text-only.

Another first for Hillcrest soccer!  Two Hillcrest Hornet soccer players signed Letters of Intent to play soccer at the collegiate level – for the Crowder Roughriders – on Thursday.  Ben Ballhorn and Bryce Collier were in the midst of friends and family – as well as their soccer teamates – for a reception held in their honor at Hillcrest.  Coach Brad Smith from Crowder College, in Neosho was also in attendance.  We wish them much success as they step up to the next level.  Well done boys – we are proud of you!

1st Team – Bryce Collier

2nd Team – Ben Ballhorn

Honorable Mention – Michael Freeman and Mitch Easter

For the complete list, please check out:  http://sgfsoccer.com/2008/11/25/missouri-high-school-soccer-all-ozark-conference-honors/#more-3530

Great job boys!  You are a special group of boys, and it is hard think this soccer season has finished.  Time to move on to the next chapter – carry on boys!  We look forward to hearing good things in the 2009 season from the Hillcrest Hornets soccer team.

Special thanks to Steve “Ole” Olson, who has supported our site, and our players.  Next time you see him on the sidelines with his camera in hand, tell him THANKS!

CLASS 3 DISTRICT 12 ALL-DISTRICT SOCCER SELECTIONS

1st Team:   Bryce Collier (Senior)  

2nd Team:  Michael Freeman  (Junior)

                   Ben Ballhorn  (Senior)

                   Mitch Easter  (Junior)

Honorable Mention:  Colton Dalton  (Senior)

For the complete list, visit www.sgfsoccer.com