Published: July 15, 2008 01:31 am            

KELLY: Indiana ODP team wins in Rockport

New Albany's Vigar coaches club past Illinois

Indiana’s 1995 Olympic Development Program came out on top at the weekend’s regional soccer camp in Rockford, Ill.

And helping them succeed were New Albany High School coach Dutch Vigar and Jeffersonville midfielder Pierce Crawley.

Indiana got off to a flying start, beating Kentucky 6-2, before disposing of Minnesota by a whopping 10-0.

It lost 1-0 to a very strong Illinois team in the third of its pool games, but had done enough to reach the semifinal stage, where it proved too good for Iowa when prevailing by a 7-3 scoreline, with Crawley pitching in with a goal and an assist.

In the final on Saturday, it met Illinois once again but overcame the underdog tag and gained revenge with a 1-0 win.

Crawley, who will be an eighth-grader at Providence Junior High this fall and plays for Javanon U13s, said it was a pleasure to play against good players from other states in the Midwest and get to know new people.

“The best part, however, was beating Illinois in the finals of the state team tournament,” he said. “I look forward to going back to the camp next year and competing to make the regional team again.”

This was Crawley’s second year at the camp, but was Vigar’s first time to participate on the ODP staff. As one of three assistant coaches, the journey began for him and Crawley in October with a training session in New Albany in an effort to identify those from this area who had potential to make the state pool.

Training sessions were then held, mostly in the Indianapolis area, at least once every month — and sometimes twice a month — between November and June. Many of the 60-plus players who participated in this endeavor were from Indianapolis and northern Indiana, but Vigar said the number of players from this area that are participating annually is on the increase.

After the March training sessions, the state player pool was narrowed down to 36 players.

“The selection process was a bit difficult and a challenge for me,” said Vigar. “The task was probably less difficult for the head coach and other assistants because they were with many of the players from last year. Given that we had four coaches assessing the players did make the task a little easier. There was much discussion and interaction among the coaching staff about players in making the decisions for final selection.”

Once this weekend’s camp was over, a 36-player “callback” pool — including four from Indiana — was named, from which a regional team will be chosen. Some of these will also have a chance to play on the ‘95 national team.

Vigar said it has been a very educational, rewarding and positive experience for him.

“It is great having the opportunity to work with so many young, talented players,” he said. “Having the opportunity to work with the regional coaches was a great and valuable experience. Working with coaches from other parts of the state was equally rewarding.

“This experience will definitely help in my leadership role as the director of coaching for (Southern Indiana United). The first-time players can participate in the ODP program when they become U10 players. I would recommend any player who wishes to play at higher levels in soccer to get involved with ODP.”

• The US Youth Soccer National Championships are now just a week away, and the excitement is mounting at Javanon, whose U16 team is preparing to battle against the best teams in the U.S.

The event, the opening ceremony of which takes place at Little Rock, Ark., next Tuesday, comprises 56 boys’ and girls’ teams in the U14 through U19 age groups.

Region II champions Javanon, featuring Jeffersonville’s Trevor Bruner and New Albany’s Keenan Sparks, now knows what teams it will be up against following last week’s draw.

There are six U16 boys’ teams at the finals, comprising the four regional winners and two best performers in the new US Youth Soccer National League. Each team will have three games, with the top two point-getters going on to the final.

First up for Javanon is a game against Region IV victors Real South California Blues next Wednesday (July 23), followed by an early morning game against YMS Explosion of eastern Pennsylvania on Thursday.

It will complete round-robin play Friday with a game against Region I winners Lower Merion Velez, also of eastern Pennsylvania.

The other two participating teams, which Javanon will not play, are Triangle United Gold of North Carolina (Region III champions) and the Dallas Texans. The U16 boys’ final will take place on Sunday, July 27.

Contact Aidan Kelly at aidokaydo@gmail.com.

        

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