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Stellar defense leads SLSG into nationals
Kalish guides U14s to Region II title
Kevin Kalish has done just about everything on a soccer field.
Later this month he'll do something he's never done before. Kalish will lead a team into the US Youth Soccer National Championships.
A former star player for St. Thomas Aquinas and Saint Louis University and the current coach at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Kalish is the skipper for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher U14 boys team as it heads to Lancaster, Mass., July 21-26 for a crack at a national championship.
SLSG was able to squeeze into nationals by playing a suffocating defense and getting some opportunistic goals. A little luck never hurts either as the team picked up five wins in five days in Frisco, Texas.
"You've got to catch some breaks," Kalish said. "We haven't given up a goal in state cup or at regionals. The entire team defended well."
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While the defense was doing yeoman's work, Gallagher was able get key goals out of one young man. Keith Grieshaber (St. John Lutheran School, Chesterfield) netted three goals in the semifinals and finals, including the game-winner in the 1-0 regional championship game victory.
The team locked up the Region II championship near the end of June. With an entire month to prepare for nationals, Kalish said the plan is to continue training four days a week and focus on what they do well.
"We'll focus on our schemes," he said. "These players have been playing within the system."
Kalish said he and the team aren't worried about who lies in front of them because if they're at nationals, they're going to be a top-notch program. Also, he feels this team is one of the best 11 on the field.
"I don't think you'll find a better team in the country when we're playing our game," Kalish said. "I thought we played our best game in the (regional) final."
SLSG will play its first game at 7:30 a.m. on July 22 against CASL Elite from North Carolina. For live updates log onto championships.usyouthoccer.org.
Members of the team include: Tom Barlow (Chesterfield, Ascension School), Sean Clancy (Rockwood Summit, Fenton), Dokaj Xhovani (Whitfield, Oakville), Ryan Gettinger (Lafayette, Wildwood), Joe Grady (St. Louis University High, University City), Jason Hackett (Vianney, Oakville), Brian Hail (DeSmet, Kirkwood), Jeffery Hopson (Priory, Chesterfield), Austin Ledbetter (CBC, St. Charles), Keegan McHugh (Francis Howell Middle School, St. Charles), Stephen McMillian (John Burroughs, Creve Coeur), Derek Merry (Ft. Zumwalt West, O'Fallon), Mitch Morris (Ft. Zumwalt West, O'Fallon), Jason Pesek (Chaminade, Oakville), Curtis Shillingsford (Chaminade, Fenton).
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