Meramec teams rock the NJCAA
Spencer Gleason
– Staff Writer –
As the basketball and wrestling seasons find their way in the sports limelight of Meramec’s athletics, three teams have concluded their seasons, leaving center stage.
Members of the women’s volleyball team and men’s and women’s soccer teams have hung up their shoes for the year. However, it is safe to say that the athletes and coaches of these sports can all give themselves a pat on the back for a job well done.
Men’s Soccer
The 2009 Magic finished the season with a record of 16-4-1 and ranked 11th in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll.
On Nov. 1, the squad defeated Maple Woods with a 2-1 victory in Kansas City, to capture their second Regions XVI Championship this decade. However, they fell short of a NJCAA Championship bid when they lost to Barton County Community College 4-2 in the following game.
Several athletes were awarded top honors this season, including sophomore forward Almin Sabotic, who was given NJCAA All-American, Region XVI Player of the Year, and a first-team All-Region selection. Chris Eason, Marc Bowron, Tim Scheipeter, Steve McMahon, Patrick Swaney and Justin Billmeyer were also given honors.
In his five seasons as head coach, Brian Smugala won 73 games, giving him a winning percentage of .722.
His team’s commanding record this season helped him become 2009 Region XVI Coach of the Year for the second time. Smugala received the honor in 2006 as well when the Magic went undefeated.
Women’s Soccer
After going 2-5 in the first month of the season, the Magic kicked it into high gear with a record of 5-1 in October, giving them an overall record of 7-6, and were unbeaten in their conference. They took their top-seeded entry into the Regions XVI Tournament, but lost in the semi-finals to rival school STLCC- Forest Park, 1-0, after a penalty by the Highlanders with 17 minutes left in regulation.
Sophomore forward and captain of the Magic Casey Caldwell led the team with 11 goals this season.
Along with Caldwell, fullback Kelsey Consiglio was given a first-team All-Region selection. Katie Joliff, Shelby Roberts, Rachel Aubuchon and Olivia Aholt were also given honors.
Head coach Jeff Karl completed his 27th season at Meramec. With a career record of 326-125-37, Karl is the only women’s soccer head coach in school history.
He won the Co-Coach of the Year Award this season, sharing the honor with Lewis and Clark Community College head coach Tim Rooney.
Karl also won the award in 1991 and 1992. In September 2005, Karl was elected into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame and his win total sets him atop the list for national women’s soccer career wins.
Women’s Volleyball
Sophomore captains Alicia Eubanks and Megan O’Sullivan led the Magic to a record of 22-16. The Magic went 4-4 in their conference, but fell to conference rival East Central College, 1-3, on Nov. 7 in the Regions XVI Tournament.
Chelsey Hainen and Angela Bieser were given Pharmacy All-Tournament Team and first-team All-Midwest Community College Athletic Conference honors. Nicole Hopp was also awarded for her solid season.
Janell Franken finished her second season as head coach for the Magic and was able to recruit strongly, bringing in transfer students and freshmen alike.
As these seasons came to a finale, their curtain call drew nearer. Women’s soccer looks forward to opening day next year; however, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball have taken their final bow at Meramec. They are leaving only the most proper way – to a standing ovation.
