By Ed Sievers
Sc oo SoccerCity championship game), "we outshot them and we had the edge in corners, but we could not score. Tietjens beat us. He played the kind of game you rarely see." Throughout the year in shutout after shutout performance, Tietjens came up with many spectacular saves but never as many in one game as the 17 he made in the championship encounter. Ten were considered to be spectacular. Throughout the season, Tietjens remained humble. "I didn't win it by myself," Tietjens said, "it was a team effort and everyone contributed. I'm glad I was a part." For the record, Tietjens could be an instrumental part again next year as hereturns for the Tigers with two outstanding freshmen prospects, Ken Bromeier and Mike Colan; returning to try and win back-to-back state titles, something never before accomplished in Missouri state history. There are many reasons for top-flight St. Louis high school soccer teams. Good coaching, experienced players, extraordinary competition and many other factors all play an integral part in the success. All could be traced back to the enorNOTE: The St. Louis influence on soccer has been felt on the east side of the river as Granite City South High School captured the Illinois state championships and compiled an amazing 26-1-1 record. Granite South won the initial Illinois state soccer tournament in 1972. PREP I FEBRUARY-MARCH 1977
mous junior program sponsored by various organizations with the largest being the CYC. Individual parishes begin organizing and sponsoring teams for boys and girls at age six, continuing through the various age levels to senior and open competition. This parochial influence is respon-
sible for the dominance of the Catholic and parochial high schools in the city. All in all the system is extremely successful and has made possible outstanding teams and individuals. Soccer is St. Louis, and will continue to be that for a long time to come. •
ALL-STAR TEAM Here is the 1976 all-metropolitan St. Louis soccer all-star team: Forwards: Steve Sullivan, St. Thomas Aquinas ..................................... Don Ebert, Holy Rosary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Matt Malloy, Hazlewood Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Steve Westbrook, C.B.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Links: Bob Bozada, St. Thomas Aquinas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Tim Guelker", St. Louis U. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Backs: Gary Hampel, Vianney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Scott Voorst, St. Mary's .................... :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Terry Trushel, Holy Rosary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Kyle White, C. B.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goal: Jim Tietjens, Oakville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
senior senior senior senior senior senior senior senior senior senior junior
HONORABLE MENTION Forwards: AI Brenrian, Tim Clark, Steve Schad (St. Louis U. High); Dave Goldschmidt. Mark Goldschmidt (Granite City South, IL); Mike Baechle (Kennedy); Tom Tanargo (Vianney}; Keith Grassi (Affton); Ron Kappauff (Hazlewood Central); Craig Stahl (Collinsville, IL); Links: Perry VanderBeck, Matt Koeller (St. Thomas Aquinas}; Pat Howley (Holy Rosary); Mark Meixner (McCluer North); Gary Ullo (Oakville); Jim Donahue (McCluer); Backs: Kurt Belger (St. Louis U. High); Don Brammeier (McCluer North); Dave Stones (Hazlewood Central); Rick Fernandez (Granite City South, IL); Pat Kennedy (St. Thomas Aquinas); Tom Tozcylowski (De Smet); Mike Kossman (Holy Rosary); Jim Dussold, John Dussold (McCluer); Mike Collico (McCluer North); Mark Fredrickson (Bishop DuBourg); Dominic Barczweski (Oakville); Goalies: Chris Oswald (Vianney); Bill Swip (Collinsville, IL); Jamie Swanner (Southwest).