Willard Tigers Soccer

On Saturday, May 31st from 10:30 to 12:30, a group from Uganda, Africa with the Watoto Children’s Choir will be at the Willard soccer field for some fun and recreation! You are welcome to come out, meet them and play some football (American soccer) with them. We look forward to seeing you there.

The choir will be performing Saturday evening at Park Central Square in Springfield at 6:30PM. The choir will also be performing locally at Evergreen Church on Sunday, June 8th at noon.

Here’s a video that will tell you more about Watoto and the Children’s Choir

Congrats to the Lady Irish on another district championship. Bolivar game them one heck of a game. Enjoy game photos here.

The Catholic Lady Irish won another District 12 title Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Bolivar. The halftime score of 0-0 gave the Irish a scare until they earned a PK in the second half. Although there was a hard collision in the box, both pictures and video seem to add questions to the call. You hate for a game to be decided by a questionable call in the box. The Lady Liberators should be proud of a great match against the mighty Irish. Congratulations to Coach Timson and we wish them well as they stride further through post-season play.

Catholic 8, Willard 0
Bolivar 3, West Plains 2 (2OT)

Championship: Wednesday, May 14th at 6:00PM

Playing the early game of the day, Willard scored first as Ali Appleby converted on Janine Bird’s assist. McAuley answered with a goal of their own before Willard’s Patsy Middleton converted a penalty kick after she was taken down from behind in the box. The game reached the half with Willard ahead 2-1. In the second half, Kara Dehn found the net off an assist from Ali Appleby which gave the Tigers a two goal margin. The final goal for Willard came off the foot of senior Janine Bird and Willard cruised to a 4-1 victory. Willard will meet Catholic in the semi-final game on Monday at 5:00PM.

Willard 4, Joplin McAuley 1
Catholic 18, Liberty 0
Bolivar 3, Greenwood 2 (OT)
West Plains 4, Marshfield 0

Monday: #1 Catholic vs. #4 Willard - 5:00PM
#2 Bolivar vs. #3 West Plains - 7:00PM

On a soggy field yet beautiful evening, the #8 seed Liberty Lady Eagles found the net over and over as they beat #9 seed Pleasant Hope 7-0. Freshman Shelly Renegar found the net five times as she led her team to victory. Tomorrow may be a different story as the Eagles must return to face #1 seed Springfield Catholic. Congratulations on your first post-season win Liberty!

Willard visited the Nixa Eagles on Tuesday afternoon and found themselves tied 0-0 heading into overtime. After two overtime periods, the teams headed to the penalty kick shoot-off. Nixa, only hitting on one of their first four shots due to strong play from Goalkeeper Morgan Ulesich, gave Willard an opportunity to win the game on their fourth penalty kick. After Patsy Middleton nailed one off the post, Senior Janine Bird and Junior Amanda Rosier each put their shot safely in the net setting up the game winner for the younger Bird sister. Junior Anne Bird nailed the game winner and the celebration was on!

To view photos from the Willard Tournament, click here.

The Willard Soccer Program would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Shaffer family in the passing of Mrs. Shaffer. Mrs. Shaffer was a dedicated and devoted member of our school board and was a huge supporter of all school activities and an advocate for children! Willard Superintendent Dr. Kent Medlin released the following statement regarding Mrs. Shaffer:

It saddens my heart today to write this e-mail. As many of you know Karla Shaffer, one of our seated members of the Board of Education passed away this weekend. Karla had been fighting cancer for over a year. During this entire ordeal she remained active on the board and was just re-elected last month. The service will be held in the Willard Middle School gymnasium at 4:00 on Wednesday, May 7th 2008.

Karla had a passion for the Willard School District that was unequaled! Even though I am sad I know in my heart that she is in a better place, healthy, smiling, and probably taking care of a child. I look forward to the day when we meet again!

Note: There will be no practice Wednesday as we know many will be attending the service.