Sports from the week of June 28, 2006

Kids get kick out of soccer camp

By Bekah Zens

He passes left, runs to the right side, dodges another player, the other player kicks it to him, he heads it, and…GOAL!!

This excitement was the result of an organized soccer camp on the Tracy Area High School athletic field last week. A total of 80 to 85 kids kinidergarten through grade 12 participated. The camp was offered through a consortium of school districts that besides Tracy, includes Murray County Central, Milroy, Balaton, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Wabasso, and Red Rock Central.

Phil Goetstouwers, a counselor in the Westbrook-Walnut Grove system, helped organize the camp. i Semi-professional British soccer player and trainer Rob Shields to Minnesota to train his players. Rob stayed with Diane and Stephen Ferrazzano.

Rob Shields is from South Wales, United Kingdom and works for Challenger Sports. The company provides soccer services and products to a nationwide network of clubs, coaches, players and parents.

Soccer is a part of life for Shields was brought up with soccer.

“If you were born overseas, more than likely you were born into soccer,” said Shields. “The sport became my life after a while.” He explained that the tactics in the U.S. are different and the kids most of the time give 100% effort. “They’re great!” exclaimed Shields. “I love ‘em.”

Shields talked about how soccer is a universal sport. Language barriers don’t keep people from playing with or against each other because the signs and signals of soccer are universal.

Shields taught local players the basics during the week such as dribbling the ball up and down the field, scoring techniques, passing, heading, and random tricks.

“The kids learn something new everyday,” said Shields. “They never quit, which is a good attitude to have.”

The Welshman seemed to adore Minnesota weather. Shields spoke of the fields and trees and sky. “Everything is so beautiful here,” reported Shields. “I hope I can come back over the Fourth of July.”

The camp went well according to Goetstouwers and a couple of the parents of the kids. One mother even said her son hasn’t stopped practicing since he started.

“I hope this is sport turns out to be a huge hit!” said Goetstouwers. “I know how much I loved soccer when I was a kid and I can just see these kids enjoying it just as much.”

VFW takes two from Olivia

The Tracy VFW baseball team swept a double header at Milroy from Olivia Monday night. Tracy won the first game 11-1 and the second 4-2. The two wins brought Tracy’s season record to 11-5.

Kayne Zwaschka pitched the first game for Tracy and gave up 1 run on only 1 hit to get the win.

David Schmidt went 3 for 3 to lead the offense. Taylor Hagberg was 2 for 3.

Olivia 100 0 1 1 2

Tracy 405 2 11 12 1

In the second game Aaron Frisvold started on the mound for Tracy and got pitching help from Alex Jones and David Schmidt with Jones getting the win and Schmidt the save.

Anthony Dolan led the Tracy 4 hit offense with a home run.

Olivia 000 200 2 4 1

Tracy 101 020 4 4 1

Team plays at Metrodome

The hour was late, but it was still a thrill for Tracy VFW baseball team to play at the Metrodome in Minneapolis Saturday night.

The VFW played a doubleheader against Redwood Falls following a Twins game against the Chicago Cubs. Redwood Falls beat Tracy 6-2 and 5-0.

Isaac Dolan pitched the first game, giving up six runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking five.

Anthony Dolan had two of Tracy’s three hits.

The second game was shortened to three innings. Brian Schlager pitched the 3 innings and gave up 5 runs on 1 hit while striking out 2 and walking 2 and hitting 1.

Alex Jones got the only Tracy hit.

First game

Redwood Falls 001 040 1 6

Tracy 000 000 2 2

Tracy- Polzine, cf, 4,0,1; Dolan, 2b, 4,0,2; Schmidt, ss, 3,0,0; I. Dolan,p,2,1,0; Zwaschka, rf, 3,0,0; Hagberg, 3b, 3,1,1; Schlager,c, 2,0,1; Lanoue,lf, 3,0,0; Edwards, DH, 3,0,0; Jones,1b. Totals, 26,2,5.

Second game

Redwood Falls 005 5 1

Tracy 000 0 1

Tracy- Apperson, 2b, 2,0,0; Jones,DH, 2,0,1; Schlager, p; K. Zwaschka, ss, 0,0,0; Bauer, rf, 2,0,0; Frisvold, c, 2,0,0; Baumann, cf, 1,0,0; Hansen, 3b, 0,0,0; Johnston, 1b, 0,0,0; Haecherl, lf, 1,0,0. Totals 10,0,1.