DiRaimondo’s Rapid Rate Plan

St. Louis Native on the Move
By Roger Cole
Publisher

St. Louis University has been a leader in producing soccer superstars both on the field and in the classroom. This month saw John DiRaimondo being awarded the Atlantic 10 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. This is a first for the program and the university but not so unusual for John. DiRaimondo has always been an exceptional student. He graduated from St. Louis University High in a 3 and ½ year period and repeated the feat at the University as well.

As a Billiken, John has received numerous honors and recognition for his efforts on the pitch. John’s list of accolades reads like a recipe for a hall of fame defender in the making. Topping the list is his back to back 2005 – 2006 Hermann Trophy semifinalist nods. He has also been named an All-American by Parade magazine, ESPN the Magazine and NSCAA. He is also the Atlantic 10 conference's third-leading scorer with a career-high 28 points (9G, 10A). It is no surprise that the Colorado Rapids organization selected him this past January in the supplemental draft.

Chaminade Rides the Tide

Boys top 25
By Roger Cole
Publisher

When people think of boys soccer in St. Louis several names naturally are at the top of the list. For Chaminade College Prep the ride to the Adidas National Soccer Coaches Association of America top 5 was a roller coaster ride. The Red Devils entered at number 13. On their journey they encountered peeks and valleys in the polls. The team dropped as low as 21st in week four, before making a steady climb leveling off at the number 4 slot. Coach Mike Gauvain’s boys capped their glorious rise by clinching the 2006 Class 3A state title over Coach Tim Walters Lafayette Lancers.

Seven St. Louis area teams spent time in the Region 7 top 15.
Teams in the national rankings included WEEK[Rank]:

Chaminade College Prep
National: 1[13],2[11],3[20],4[21],5[16],6[9],8[7],9[6],10[4],F[4]
Region 7: 1[2],2[2],3[3],4[3],5[3],6[2], 8[1],9[1],10[1],F[1].

St. Louis University High
N: 1[3], 2[3], 3[2], 4[2], 5[10], 6[4], 9[V]
R7: 1[1], 2[1], 3[1], 4[1], 5[2], 6[1], 8[5], 9[4], 10[8], F[6].

DeSmet Jesuit
R7: 1[9], 2[9], 3[7], 4[7], 5[11], 8[14]

Christian Brothers College
R7: 1[13], 2[13], 6[10], 8[10]

Rockwood Summit Senior R7: 6[15], 8[12]

Lafayette R7: 9[13], 10[5], F[7]

St. John Vianney R7; 9[12], 10[6]

20/20 Vision

2 Teams Make the Women’s Top 20
By Roger Cole
Publisher

The tallies are in and so are we. Two St. Louis area high school teams make the Adidas National Soccer Coaches Association of America top 20 national ranking. Class 2A State champions, and last years runner up, Fort Zumwalt West came in at number 11 with a season record 20-7-2. Coach Kristy Bush’s Jaguars broke into the rankings at number 11 by knocking off nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy.

State runner up, Incarnate Word Academy, finished 16th (24-2-2). Coach Jack Baldwin’s Red Knights began their climb in slot 18 and quickly jumped into the top 10 [8] with their spotless 7-0 record in week 2. They continued their ascent racking up 8 more clean slates landing them as high as #6 before hitting a weekend hic-up in late April.

Nerix Hall also broke into the rankings in week 4 at #10 (18-1-0) and managed to peek at # 7 before disappearing in the final poll. The Markers finished the season with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tim Walters Lafayette Lancers in PKs. This loss ended Coach Brian Haddock’s teams
run at the state title.

The three teams that made the list throughout the season include (week[rank]): Nerix Hall (4[10],5[7],6[10]), Incarnate Word Academy (1[18],2[8],3[6],4[18T],5[13],F[16]) , Fort Zumwalt West (F[11])

Throughout the season St. Louis area teams dominated the Region 5 top 10 (week[rank]). They include class 1A state Champs St. Dominic (19-5-4) F[9] , Incarnate Word Academy 1[3],2[2],3[2],4[4],5[3],F[3] , Fort Zumwalt West F[2] , Nerix Hall 2[6]3[5]4[2],5[2], Lafayette 5[5], Duchesne 2[8],3[8],4[7T], St. Joseph's Academy 1[8].

Best in the Mid-West

St. Louis is home to over 100 high schools and 14 college and university programs offering both men's and women's soccer as well as over 20 club teams and countless recreational leagues. Many of these organizations offer camps and clinics for players of all ages. Thats a lot to offer when it comes to soccer.
We would love to hear about your best socccer club/camp experience. Post your club and camp recomendation with us.

Soccer St. Louis Magazine Young Writers Program

Our mission is to promote and empower the St. Louis community by providing exceptional coverage of all aspects of soccer through the development of young writers. We are hoping that our program will inspire a new generation of writers to creatively and accurately report on the world around them.

Soccer St. Louis Magazine is starting a young freelance writers program. We are looking for one or two writers to represent their schools soccer program. In conjunction with local institutions of learning, we will provide opportunity for students seeking a career in journalism to have their work published. Submissions from these writers become the property of the magazine if used for publication in print or online. All contributors will be given full recognition for their work submitted if used. We are looking for students that are involved in their school newspaper, yearbook and/or soccer program.

For the initial entry we are asking interested candidates to submit an article introducing your school and team to the Soccer St. Louis community along with a brief bio on yourself (who you have written for, what you do, etc.). Include interviews with coaches, players, students, teachers and administrators. The article should also include important information about the schools location and demographics. Entries will be evaluated and one or two representatives from each school will be selected as Freelance writers for our publication. To be considered, all entries must have received an “A” or equivalent grade and be accompanied with an endorsement from the teacher or school sponsor of the yearbook or newspaper.

The student(s) selected will be asked to contributed to the magazine on a consistent basis (1-3 articles submissions per month during the season) and maintain a 2.5 g.p.a. or better, as well as be an active participant in the school community.

If you are interested in getting your students involved e-mail us your contact information at

soccerstlouismagazine@yahoo.com

Please leave the following information:

1. School District Name
2. Conference (ie. Suburban North)
3. Name of school and mascot
4. School address and phone
5. Your name and position (You will be the contact person for your school)
6. Contact phone number
7. Contact e-mail

Hazelwood East: One Team One Mission, Bringing back Tradition

In the past Hazelwood East has had a long tradition of being the school to beat in the suburban north. Top finishes in football, Track, Cross Country, Girls Basketball fill the trophy cases in the halls. Traditional rivalries take a long time to fade away. For most schools in the North conference East represents the upper echelon of the competition. And that is the tradition we are working so hard to bring back to soccer.

The Coaching staff and I are always optimistic as too the season ahead. Each year the number of girls that come out for the team continues to grow. As the season approaches we look to build on the successes from the past.

The dynamic of the team changes from year to year. As refined seniors graduate developing underclassmen rise up to take their place. Last year we graduated eight seniors. Players will change but our philosophy on building a successful program remains the same.

Successful soccer is a total team effort. One player alone cannot win or loose a game. For our season to be a success, every player from JV to Varsity will have to be dedicated to giving their best effort. This effort starts with the first practice and does not stop until the final whistle of the last game. In the years past we have always required this of our players and they have always delivered. This year looks to be no different. We have a small group of seniors that we feel will take on leadership responsibilities. Kari Enke and Kara Graffy are returning for a forth year on the varsity roster. Graffy will anchor the defense as Keeper while Enke will look to create chances from both the midfield and forward positions. In three years Kari has racked up 12 goals and 4 assists for a total of 28 points. Sophomore Ashley Johnson will be returning in her role as playmaker in the middle third.

The new season will bring challenges for our seniors. Seniors, by the virtue of their status, are traditionally looked to as leaders. They are like the elders of the team. New players look to them for advice and guidance on how to meet the demands of the season. For some seniors this season represents the last time they will play the game at a competitive level.

Our Mission

Soccer St. Louis strives to bring recognition to the accomplishments of the local soccer community. We are your number one stop for information on soccer in the St. Louis and surrounding area. We hope to help those at all levels experience and enjoy all the soccer that this great city has to offer. We will once again SHOW all that St. Louis is the Soccer Capital of the World.

The Show-Me-Soccer State

In the comming months this site will serve as the launcing point for St. Louis' primier soccer magazine. Soccer St. Louis will be your number one stop for information on soccer in the area.

This site will serve as a direct link to the St. Louis soccer community. We would love to here from you. Give us your input. What makes this St. Louis the greatest soccer city in the country?

A Wynn Win Situation

By Roger Cole

St. Louis once again enters the soccer spotlight. The MLS held their first ever supplemental Draft. Danny Wynn was picked 11th in the first round. Danny, a former graduate from Chaminade Preparatory School, is currently finishing his senior year at St. Louis University. Danny has received numerous honors. As team captain he helped the Red Devils of Chaminade to the 2001 Missouri Class 4A state championship. Chaminade ended their season 31-1-0 achieving the top nod in the national polls. The end of his high school carrier was topped of with All-state and all-metro honors. As a Billikin Wynn was a key player in the team’s success. Right out of the blocks he was noticed for his speed and versatility. He was named to the Conference-USA all Freshman team. He saw time in 19 matches his first year out, 14 of which he started. His first year was cut short due to a knee injury. The following year he only appeared in five matches as he recovered. With perseverance and dedication he bounced back and finished his carrier as a Billikin with 10 points (2 goals and 3 assists). Danny was selected by New England.

Contribute to the Community

Soccer St. Louis Magazine is seeking contributors for both assignment based projects and to pitch stories. Ideal writers will have a firm knowledge of soccer at the competitive and recreational level. If interested, please send 2 short to medium length writing samples (275-500 words), pasted into the body of your e-mail (no attachments please!), along with a brief bio on yourself.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at info@soccerstlmag.com