WellRead

    Below is a very good site with information about division III schools and athletes. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you read, especially if you have discounted division III schools or see them as second or third rate programs. [Hidden Content]

    Now that the high school soccer season is winding down I want to encourage all players who have a desire to play college soccer to attend a college combine or university soccer camp this year. Sophomores and juniors, you should be contacting colleges of interest to you. (They will not contact you unless you show interest in them) Freshmen should also begin to develop a "college list" of 10-15 schools you might want to play for. Contact them and find ways to be seen by those schools this summer. (i.e. a soccer camp or play for a club team which plays through the summer) Seniors, it's not too late for you as some Texas schools are still looking for one or two quality players with good high school academic records to fill out their roster for next year.     All players, keep your grades as high as possible. Colleges look at your academics as well as your athletic skills. They lean toward the athlete with a strong academic record. Work hard!     As the post subject says, there is a Texas College combine for those wanting to be seen by Texas college soccer programs. Don't discount these schools because of their division rating. There are very good soccer programs at these schools,  including nationally ranked schools in their division. The schools themselves have excellent academic programs that may be a great fit for you!     For more information, click on the link below. Good luck to those heading for the next level! [Hidden Content]

    A UIL rule allows for inelligible students to participate in their sport during extended school holidays such as Christmas and spring break. What do you think about this rule? Have any schools been affected (positively or negatively) by this rule this year or in past years? Will it come in to play this year during soccer playoffs? Should this rule stay or be changed?

    As the regular soccer season comes to a close and the playoffs begin, please join me in saying "thanks" to WOSgrad. Your hard work compiling and keeping track of the myriad boys and girls soccer games and standings this year has been unprecedented on the soccer forum. As one who reads and posts on this forum I feel like we have had a partner in high school soccer who wants to see soccer covered as well as the other sports. For that I (we) appreciate you and your efforts. I hope somehow your hard work is rewarded beyond our mere words.     Thanks also to all who posted scores, stats, signings and the like. Your help is also appreciated.     Thanks again and good luck to all teams in the playoffs!!!

Final Score - Lumberton 3 Livingston 1       I really enjoyed seeing this game. Both teams played well. I was impressed how both benches had good depth. Quality of play did not seem to drop off. I must say #9 for Livingston is quite an athlete. He has speed, quickness and good foot skills. Any chance he will continue play at the college level? He also had other quality teammates who handled the ball well, especially at midfield.     Lumberton was sharp as well. While everyone contributed to their success tonight the defensive back line was the strong point. Except for the one goal allowed in the last 3 minutes of the game they denied Livingston any opportunity to get back in the game.     Both teams are now knotted at 5 and 1. If both teams win out the second half of district play, will first place be determined by head to head goals for/against? (I believe it is 7-6 in favor of Lumberton) If not, a playoff game will be a must see game.     Good luck to both teams!!

    Congratulations to all who have chosen to take their soccer talents to the college level! This year is proving to be one of the most promising for area recruits in several years. I hope to see several more signings posted in the near future - boys and girls. I know there's still some talent out there. Where will they go?     Don't forget, if you don't play for "the college team", your school may have a "club team" you can join. Many of these teams are very competitive, (men - Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU, Lamar; women - Baylor, UT,  and others) but are more flexible with practices and academic commitments. The club teams play other college club teams from across Texas and the nation! They even have regional and national club championship tournaments each year. Find out more from your college's recruiter/admissions advisor.

I should know the answer to these questions but I can't get a firm answer from those who should know,  ::) so....     Are districts 37 and 38 using a point system this year to determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc, or will they go strictly by wins/losses/ties?     If they are using points, will overtime wins still scored the full three points for the winner?     Will both teams' record reflect a tie if the score is still tied after the second overtime?     Will the points for a shootout be split 2/1 between the teams according to who wins the shootout?     Without a point system (as in club tournament play), I assume a shootout win would be simply recorded as a win. Thanks for the help. Good luck to all the girls and boys teams this year!

Bear's Bear, "I feel your pain."     You do make several good points on your post. Like Sharkfutbol, I think weather has a lot to do with it. The cold, rainy evenings are not condusive to crowds sitting on aluminum (or wooden) bleachers. Even football games suffer from the cold and rain unless it's a playoff game.     Second, while we harp on the media for their lack of coverage, it's hard for them to know who's playing where if the soccer schedules are not sent to them in a timely manner. Most area sports journalists (writers and television) have to repeatedly ask for the soccer schedules. (not the basketball schedules, though) What would help? Send them your school's soccer schedules and highlight the games you feel will be important to the season. (Don't leave it to your coaches. They're busy coaching.) Call them and remind them team X plays team Y at location Z on the Tuesday or Friday, then, and this is important...win or lose CALL IN THE SCORE AFTER THE GAME. (I'm not shouting, just emphasizing.) Don't wait on coach to call...he/she is busy with other things. (Hey, schools, please post your schedule at least on your school website!)     Third, we do need more coaches who know more about soccer. Step up, talk (politely) to your district's AD and school board. One word of caution, however...go armed with supportive facts like how many kids would potentially play soccer, etc.. Numbers help sometimes. Include your community club numbers to show why you need a soccer coach sooner than later.     You also mentioned playing soccer later in the school year. For public schools, the problem stems from UIL's busy calendar filled with sports that have been sanctioned for years. Soccer is a relative newcomer and was accommodated in the best possible place behind football and volleyball, basketball, baseball and track. Changing when they play would be a monumental task that UIL isn't going to take on at this time, if ever.   One last thing, encourage your local clubs to come on a specific night to watch high school soccer. It may seem small but it will put more people in the stands... provided it's good weather... and get kids excited about playing high school soccer! Good luck to all the young men and women this soccer season. I'm looking forward to seeing you play!

Saturday's ASC tourney results- UMHB 0 - UT-Tyler 1 Tough loss for UMHB after an apparent wild but successful game yesterday. (see bullets13 post above) It appears Scott Poole got a starting nod in today's game. According to UMHB website stats he's played in every game this year as a freshman. Congrats Scott on an excellent first season! Mississippi College 3 - UT-Dallas 0 #1 UT-Tyler vs. #2 Mississippi College Sunday at 1:00 p.m. This game will be streamed live. Check out the ASC website for more info. Two strong teams going head to head.

Today's results in ASC tourney - #4 seed UMHB (Scott Poole) 4- #5 seed Howard Payne 3. UMHB plays #1 seed UT-Tyler Saturday at 11:00 a.m. #6 seed Hardin-Simmons (Travis Greenway) 0- #3 seed UT-Dallas 1. UT-Dallas will meet #2 seed Mississippi College At 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Looks like some good soccer was played today. Sorry the two area men won't meet each other in the finals. Good luck to Scott this year. Good luck to all the area boys next year. We're proud to be able to say you're from our area. Hope to see several more area players (men and women) in the ASC in the future!

UPDATE! - Two local players will play in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Men's Soccer Tournament! Travis Greenway - Vidor (Hardin Simmons University, 6th seed) and Scott Poole - Lumberton (University of Mary Hardin Baylor, 4th seed) will play in Tyler, Texas, November 5-7 (Friday-Sunday). With wins on Friday and Saturday by both teams (they play in separate brackets) they will meet each other in Sunday's tournament finale.     Follow the link below for more information including brackets, times, etc. [Hidden Content]     For those of you willing to travel this weekend to see the college action, follow the link to tournament host UT-Tyler's website also found in the link above. For those of you interested in playing college soccer the trip would be good exposure to some of the best Division III Texas teams. Good luck to all!!     By the way, ladies, the ASC Women's tournament will be in Abilene, Texas hosted by 17-0 and nationally ranked Hardin Simmons.

    Whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or a senior, if you are interested or think you may be interested in playing college (or junior college) soccer, one good way to be seen by such coaches is to attend a college soccer combine. Several are offered throughout the year by various schools in Texas and outside the state. I recently ran across the link below to one such combine.     I encourage everyone who dreams of playing in college to investigate the combines. Yes, they do cost some money. Yes you may have to travel and stay overnight in some places. However, to realize a lifelong (or recent) dream it may very well be worth the time and effort made to attend a combine.     By the way, juniors, this is the year to be seen by the college coaches as they will be able to contact you next July. Seniors it's not too late for you, however, especially for many smaller (Div. II and III) Texas schools.     One final point - keep your grades up. If they are a little low work hard to raise them. College coaches are looking for people capable of being good soccer players AND good college students.     Please add links to other combines as you find them or hear about them. [Hidden Content]

UPDATE - The following players are CONFIRMED on their college rosters and should meet each other during ASC play this year; Taylor Granato (Lumberton) -Concordia Travis Greenway (Vidor)- Hardin Simmons Anthony Martinez (Jasper)- LaTourneau Scott Poole (Lumberton)- Mary Hardin Baylor Can't confirm Jacob Grant (Vidor) but it had been reported this summer he would be playing for ETBU. Please update. Good Luck Guys!!!

If AKMartinez went to LaTourneau that makes five ASC schools with local men. Anyone know of any others? Not sure if any women from the area will be playing in the ASC this year. Also, school websites may have the 2010 schedules up for those interested.

    In reading about area soccer players moving on to the college ranks I noticed several have been or will be attending school in the [u]American Southwest Conference [/u] - an NCAA Division III conference. There are 14 schools in the conference with at least four schools having local men playing for them - Concordia, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. Below is a link to the "ASC". From here you can follow the teams as they play this season. Some games may be close enough for area players and fans to watch them play. Good luck this season, guys!! [Hidden Content] Copy and paste the link to your browser.

    Congratulations to our two area representatives! Good luck in Georgetown! I am wondering, however, why TASCO has chosen not to make the list available to the general public? If I have missed it, my apologies.     Also, any news from the boys and girls all region and all state lists?

Noticed the boys and girls Super Gold soccer teams are in the sports section of today's B.E. It hasn't been posted on their website yet. Congratulations to all the young men, women and coaches from this area who were recognized!

    With the exception of LC-M, the dividing line appears to be I-10. The potential for a stranglehold to the 2nd round of playoffs for 38 appears quite possible, if not probable. I see 37 struggling with weak district schedules as compared to 38. They (37) will have to play some serious pre-season tourneys and teams to improve their game.     Any other ideas on how UIL could have divided the area to make for more equitable districts?

Congratulations to all these young men! One question - I saw there was a 2nd team goalie but no 1st team goalie. Was a 1st team goalie chosen but inadvertenly left off?

    There is little doubt 38 was the stronger district this year. When you play more competitive teams you tend to get stronger - this is the difference between 37 and 38 - thanks to the wisdom of UIL allgnment two years ago. Hopefully the new allignment due out April 1st will address this problem.     That said, the Lumberton Lady Raiders are to be congratulated for perservering through the district handicap, upending foes from the stronger district, and being the only team left in the playoffs.       Oh, and thanks for the love, 57.  ;D

    Yes. Let's talk class. Class is applauding a player who just received a yellow card for placing an elbow squarely in the opponent's face causing it to become bloody and have momentary blurred vision. Class is also applauding another player who received a 2nd yellow after running into the opponent's goalie who was clearly in possession of the ball. And class is applauding a player who received a red card for unnecessarily loosing her composure, forcing her team to go down a player in the waning moments of the game and possibly affecting the outcome of that game.     On another front, I've read on more than one occasion the refs never help the teams. And finally, I don't recall hearing anyone on the Lumberton side singing goodbye. While it may not make it right, I've been told  "it's all part of the game", and I have heard it many times at many places across the area including Nederland venues.     Good luck Lady Raiders and congrats to Nederland girls for a successful year.

Please take note Xavier,     1) As to refereeing - been there, done that     2) I'm busy watching my kid(s) play     3) The "blatant bias" comment is not baseless. Another area ref told of one local referee who said prior to a game "I don't like ____________(school name)." The ref then proceeded to call 12 fouls and issue at least one yellow card against that school to two foul calls in their favor, despite several flagrant fouls injuring two of that school's players.     Over the past several years I have observed particular players throughout the area appear (emphasis on appear) to be singled out by certain refs. They (the players) are consistently called (or carded) for minor (non injuring) fouls, but when they are seriously fouled (i.e. hip-checked or shoved to the ground) not even a call is made in their favor. Observing this makes one at least question the unbias attitude of the rule keepers.     Oodoo is right, there is a problem having enough competent (my word added) refs available for games which contributes to this problem. And I do appreciate those who take on this thankless job - without them the games could not go on.     My whole point of the post is this - any player, boy or girl, who intentionally fouls and seriously injures another player should experience an appropriate consequence (some form of card) The center referees with the aid of the ARs are responsible for this response. The response should be consistent from game to game and school to school. I would be naive to think all fouls will be called, but the above mentioned type of fouls being left unchecked can ultimately open the door to events such as happened at the recent Ned-Central game as well as other games.

    It has been said the game of soccer could not be played appropriately without rules or rule enforcers. There is a lot of truth to that. That said, I have seen enough high school soccer games this year that it is time to make a couple of important obsevations reguarding the local rule keepers.     This year I have seen too many players receive moderate to severe injuries with the player committing the foul receiving no consequence for the physical harm they bring to other players. While I know injuries are part of the game, I believe it is time for the referees to penalize players for obvious injurious play. When players walk off the field with concussions, finish the game with cleat marks on their upper thighs or back, and young players suffering broken collar bones or separated shoulders, offending players should walk off the same field with yellow and/or red cards for their actions. Instead, the cards given this year - while generally warranted - are for innappropriate verbal comments, pulling jerseys, or other less offensive penalties. I encourage the powers that be to put as much emphasis on the physical aspect of the game as they do on soccer's traditional "gentlemanly" aspect. I also encourage them to consider dropping their blatant biases toward certain teams. It only discredits your job as well as your respect.     That said, I also want to also encourage the fans to conduct themselves appropriately while in the stands. While it is understandable you do not want your young ladies and gentlemen hurt due to missed calls of rough play, you still need to show the referees the correct respect. While referees will not see everything you see in the stands, students will see your example. Be sure it is positive.     Good luck to all the teams as the season comes to a close.

I saw where S. Poole's team played in the national championship in Lancaster, Mass. They came in 5th in the nation in their age bracket. Apparently tied the eventual national champion. Congrats to Poole and his club team. That was an opportunity few people ever experience. I'm surprised there was no media coverage on it let alone some posting here about the championship. Figured Coach L would be crowing about his player. Oh, well... Did N. Stockie's club team make it also? Thought they had but didn't find them on the list. Anyone else made it to state/regional/nationals? I believe some Kelly girls made it to STYSA State, correct?

Thanks for the post, SFA! It's great to see Southeast Texas so well represented. I understand Mat Kirby and U. of Denver played SMU in Houston over the weekend. Kirby apparently started and played well. Wished I had learned of this game earlier. I would like to have seen it. Noticed M. Sladaritz is not on your list. Did she leave Lamar? (question posed on another post) Also, understand B. Waldrup is no longer playing for UT-Tyler. Not sure why. Has he transferred? Add to the list Randi Paine from Lumberton. She will be playing for UT-Dallas I believe. Good luck to all this year!