Friday, August 27, 2010

Hickman soccer ready even with loss of seniors

Friday, August 27, 2010 10:39 p.m. CDT
BY Blair Weaver
COLUMBIA - The Hickman boys soccer team lost 10 seniors last season and now eagerly waits the start of the season with fresh legs.

With such a large senior class in 2009, head coach Adam Taylor prepares to bounce back after losing half of his team. Last year, the Kewpies had a successful season, making it as far as the state semifinals before coming up short to Christian Brothers College High School losing 6-2.

Taylor’s main focus is on districts, which begin Oct. 30.

“Right now we’re just trying to get comfortable," said Taylor. "We’re not making goals till mid-season. The season gets so long that we want to prepare at the right time."

Even though the varsity team roster differs from last year’s, the team still plans for a successful season. Taylor plans to utilize how well rounded his team is since the talent spreads so deep in the roster.

When it comes to players to watch for the 2010 season, Taylor stressed how much of a team effort this season will be.

“There isn’t one specific player to watch, not one player overshadows another,” Taylor said.

This years captains are Erik Pekkala, Andy Atkins and Brian Willcox. Returning players with varsity experience include Atkins, Willcox, Cody Gordon, Connor Hollrah and Alex Holliday.

“I have a team that a coach would want," said Taylor. "We have individual talent but we play better as a group. Any coach wants competitive players and equal level of play and that’s what I have. They’re very consistent."

The Kewpies had their Purple and Gold scrimmage Thursday and the season officially starts next Friday, Sept. 3. The Kewpies will face Maine South in the Quincy Tournament in Quincy, Illinois. They won the tournament in 2009.
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Driving Directions

  • WAYNESVILLE : Take 63 South Towards Jeff City. Take US-54 W thru Osage Beach to Camdenton. Take MO Hwy 5 South to Lebanon , MO.Continue on MO Hwy 5 South to I-44 E towards Waynesville, MO. Take Exit 156, toward WAYNESVILLE/FORT LEONARD WOOD. Turn LEFT onto HIGHWAY H/I-44-BL/MO-H. Continue to follow I-44-BL.Turn RIGHT onto MO-17/W I-44-BL.1001 HISTORIC 66 W.
  • QUINCY TOURNAMENT IN QUINCY ILLINOIS: From Columbia Take 70 West to Kingdom City. Take 54 North to Mexico and then 54 east and north (54/19) to Laddonia. From Laddonia take 19 North to New London and then 61 North to Hannibal. When you get to Hannibal, you will need to take a right at the sign that says Quincy or to Illinois or to Springfield which is hwy 72 across the river. You will then pick up Highway 172 north to Quincy. In Quincy take the Broadway exit and go left.The fields we are playing on are located on State Street. The streets in Quincy that run West to East are numbered streets. The Mississippi River is to the West and the street numbers get higher the further East you go. When you enter from highway 172 the first street you will see is 48th street. Go left. At State St turn right and the park is a few blocks on the right. The Paul Dennis Complex is located on State between 36th and 48th street.
  • JEFFERSON CITY- 179 SOCCER PARK: Take 63 to Jeff City. Across the river take Hwy 50 toward Sedalia. Take the hwy 179 exit and turn right onto 179. The soccer park is about 3 miles on your left.
  • DESMET High school from CBC High school (about 3 miles): leave CBC and turn left (east) onto N Forty Dr. Turn right onto Conway Rd. Follow Conway Rd to left at S New Ballas Rd and it is about 1.2 miles to the high school at 233 N. New Ballas Rd.
  • CBC High school in St Louis: about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Take I-70 east to US40E/US61S just past Wentzville. Head toward Chesterfield/Forrest Park. About 23 miles to Mason Rd exit. Take S Mason Rd north back over the highway. Turn right on N. Forty Dr and the high school is on your left about a mile at 1850 De la Salle Dr.
  • CAMDENTON: Hwy 54 out of Jeff City to Hwy 5 in Camdenton. Turn left (east) on to Hwy 5. Continue on Hwy 5 for 5 or 6 blocks and can see the school campus on your left (north side of road). Turn on to Dare Blvd and the stadium is a block or two behind the schools.
  • SMITHTON TOURNAMENT: I-70 west to Booneville. Exit on Hwy 5 south. From Hwy 5 take Hwy 50 west. Go to Hwy W and turn south. Follow Hwy W into Smithton. Turn east on to E. Washington St. (I think this is a continuation of Hwy W), Turn right (south) on to Myrtle Ave and the school is 550 Myrtle Ave. Games are at the school.
  • ROLLA: Hwy 63 out of Jefferson City. Continue on Hwy 63 into Rolla. Turn left (east) on to 10th St. Continue on 10th St about 8 blocks to N. Cedar St. High School is at corner of N. Cedar and 10th St. Soccer field is behind the high school.