Achievement+ Perspective+ Perseverance

WEST SIDE ALLIANCE

SOCCER CLUB

February 2007

WSA News Archives

 |February 2007|

WSA College Seminar Night Success
WSA hosted the Oral Roberts University coaching staff for the annual College Search Seminar, which was held Thursday, February 22nd at the Sand Springs Community Center.  Over 50 participants, including WSA payers and parents attended the evening which was dedicated to directing players in their college search.  Coach Steve Hayes, the Head Men's Coach at O.R.U. and Coach Kyle Cussens, the Head Women's Coach at O.R.U. were guests who served on the coach's panel.  Both coaches answered questions from the audience for an hour following a presentation by Ryan Bush, O.R.U. men's assistant coach, and Roger Bush, WSA Director of Coaching.  

Players were given the WSA College Search handbook, and were asked to initiate their "first step" in the process of selecting a college NOW.  Joey Kennington, WSA Academy Director, and former O.R.U. player, and Jason Foster, WSA 95 boys coach, and former O.R.U. standout, both served on the college player's panel.  Joey related to the players that "time management" was the most important adjustment he had to make to the college lifestyle.  Ryan Bush emphasized a need for athletes to remain focused on academics. Coach Hayes and Coach Cussens reiterated that point several times as they answered questions ranging from concerns over eligibility, recruiting, and how to get looked at.  Jason Foster spoke of the speed of play at the college level, and pointed out the importance of being a part of a team.
The WSA soccer club currently has over 50 players playing college soccer nationwide, well over a million dollars in cumulative scholarship monies earned to date.  Much of this success for those players had it's origins at the annual College Search Seminar. [02/26/07]

"Coach Steve Hayes, the Head Men's Coach at Oral Roberts University, speaks with Mrs. Niemitalo, and Sarah Niemitalo, of the WSA 94 girls team." 
 


 
WSA Community Shield Winners!
Community Shield Page
WSA hosted the first annual Community Shield event this Saturday, February 17th, at the Rivercity Parks, home of WSA soccer.  Eighteen of the West Side Alliance Soccer Club's squads took the pitch against another intra-club squad in a  "WSA vs WSA" day of soccer.  Nine total matches were played, featuring over 250 players.  Nine teams earned the right to have their team name etched into the WSA Community Shield trophy for 2007.  One match went to a penalty shootout, WSA 94 boys vs WSA 93 boys (93 boys won in the 5th round), five matches were decided by one goal, and some excellent football was on display. 
While the temperatures proved to be frigid the event was seen as a success and it appears teams are excited about adding it to one of the many West Side Alliance Soccer Club traditions. 
Below are the results for the 2007 1st Annual WSA Community Shield Match Day:
Community Shield Holders
WSA 97 Boys 4 - 2 WSA 96 Boys Blue
WSA 97 Girls 4 - 0 WSA 96 Girls Blue
WSA 96 Boys Red 2 - 1 WSA 95 Boys
WSA 95 Girls 4 - 0 WSA 96 Girls Red
WSA 93 Boys (3-2 in PKs) 2 - 2 WSA 94 Boys
WSA 93 Girls 1 - 0 WSA 94 Girls
WSA 92 Girls 2 - 1 WSA 90 Girls
WSA 98 Girls Blue 3 - 2 WSA 98 Girls White
WSA 91 Boys 1 - 0 WSA 92 Boys
[02/19/07]


2007 Oklahoma Premiere League Champions!  WSA 89 Boys!

OPL Champions!  WSA 89 Boys
Josh McElroy's WSA 89 boys have officially captured the Oklahoma Premiere League championship.  They wrapped up their final league match at home Sunday, February 11th against NEO Extreme, in blistery temperatures, a stark contrast to the blistering hot temperatures that began the season back in August.  The squad rallied from a lethargic start and 2 goal deficit to win by a commanding score of 6-2 in their final league match and probable final home game of their careers.  

The match gave the team 21 points in the final standings of the u19 OPL B division, with the next closest contender at least 5 points back.  The culmination of year's of hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of "blue collar" attitude could not have come to fruition at a more poignant time -- the last league match for many team members who have played in the club for their entire careers.  In the tradition of the WSA soccer club, the present day squad, as seniors, is a good representation of the core group that began the team 7 years ago.  The team has climbed the ranks of Oklahoma soccer, from the bottom dwellers of the GCSA league, to Directors State Cup Champions, to Directors Cup Regional Semifinalist, to OPL champions. 
 The team found themselves in the "driver's seat" of league play at the winter holiday break with an unbeaten record, that was also flawless in terms of goals allowed.  Coach McElroy was pushing for the "perfect" season, unbeaten and unscored on, but finally after 630 consecutive minutes without giving away a goal in league play, the team sprung a leak in injury time of the 1st half at NOKC Padova (which led to their lone loss of the season).
The 89 boys, known for their hard tackling, hard nosed, "less than stylish" play, will now turn their attention towards WSA Cup and state tournament, and for many boys college recruiting decisions.  Several players have been extended offers to play college soccer and in the next few weeks some of the players may sign their letters of commitment. 
Congratulations WSA 89 boys on an outstanding season and fine career.  On behalf of the entire club thanks for representing West Side Alliance soccer with class, attitude, and for embracing the "blue-collar" tradition we are proud of.  OPL champions 2007: WSA 89 boys!  [02/14/07]
 

WSA Teams Fair Well in Showcase of the South

"The WSA 92 boys found a rhythm of play in the 2nd half against LRFC 91 and got out of the 2nd 45 minutes without giving away a goal."
Three WSA teams accepted invitations to participate in the Showcase of the South hosted by the Little Rock Futbol Club on the weekend of February 3rd and 4th.  The WSA 92 boys, WSA 90 boys, and WSA 89 girls participated in the showcase event that was held at Burns Park, the site of the 2006 Southern Regional.  Over 40 college programs attended the event for recruiting purposes. 
Each team played three "exhibition" games in front of several college coaches from the region.  WSA 90 boys drew two LRFC clubs and Springfield S.C.  WSA 90 played well in all three matches, drawing with Springfield, defeating LRFC 90, and then losing 3-2 to LRFC 91, the Arkansas state champions.  WSA gave away a goal only 5 minutes from time to drop that match.  The 89 girls also fared well while battling a few injuries.  The team opened with a 1-0 victory over Conway United 89, the 3rd ranked team in Arkansas, then dropped a 3-2 decision to Little Rock F.C. the Arkansas state finalist.  The team then faced Memphis Mercury, a three-time state champion team consisting of a consolidation of the best clubs in the Tennessee.  WSA dropped their final match 3-0, but not before spending the first 65 minutes on a 0-0 draw.  Fatigue and a short bench (only one sub) played into giving away the three late goals.  

The WSA 92 boys played two years up in the 90 boys division facing off against Springfield FC 90, LFRC 90, and LRFC 91.  The squad had respectable results in all three matches playing against older teams losing 4-0 to LRFC 91 and LRFC 90, and 3-0 to Springfield.   The team took some time but eventually adjusted to the speed of play and physical components of the older age division. 
All three WSA teams represented the club well against several teams who were state champions and played at regionals last year, proving that WSA squads are truly reaching the regional competitive level.  

The WSA coaching staff was disappointed that the past two weeks of snow and ice prevented much of the preparation and training they were hoping for leading up to the event, but all of the coaches were impressed with the event.  Congratulations 92 boys, 90 boys, and 89 girls are great showings this weekend!

"Jacob Lovelee, WSA 92 boys, prepares to defend at the Showcase of the South against Little Rock FC 91, the Arkansas State Champions."[02/07/07]