Players from WSA 94 boys, WSA 94 girls, WSA 95 boys, and WSA 95 girls began taking advantage of their "offers" to play college soccer by officializing their "verbal commitments" today, February 1st, "National Signing Day", the first day players (under NCAA rules) could formalize their commitments.  

       The end of their club journey commences the "next step" and the "next level".  "Without each of you I wouldn’t have made it," claimed senior Hana McGinis (WSA 94 girls) who will be accepting an offer to play at Maryville University in St. Louis.  "And you guys will need to plan your schedule to come down and visit," she continued, addressing her parents and coaches.  

       WSA is expected to set another record in college signings with the 2012 class.  The 94 boys and 94 girls will headline most of the commitments, but the 95 boys and 95 girls teams also have a handful of 2012 graduates who will accept offers to play soccer at the next level.

       "It’s a day to celebrate our kids.  The full effort of the club program, but more importantly each kids personal drive, ambition, and investment, and the support of their families is what is on display," reports Director of Coaching, Roger Bush.

       College signing period will continue through August 1st, and WSA expects nearly or more than 30 college commitments by the time all players have formally decided.  Below is a look of the players making their commitment on the day of "National Signing".  Stay posted for updates as players commitments are expected to roll in for the next several weeks!

       Congratulations to all WSA players for their hard work, perserverance, and investment.  Thanks for your example of pursuing dreams. And best wishes in your journey onward, at the "next level", and in pursuit of all of the dreams in front of you! 

* please note this media release is "unofficial" *

PLAYER NAME	WSA TEAM	COLLEGE TEAM WEBSITE	COLLEGE COMMITMENT
Hana McGinis	94 Girls		Maryville University
Bonnie Duffield	93 Girls		Northeastern State University
Hope Kennedy	94 Girls		Hiram College
Erin Summerton	94 Girls		University of the Ozarks
Haley Bravo	94 & 93 Girls		Northeastern State University
Amanda Woodward	94 Girls		Cowley College
Kierstyn Legg	93 & 94 Girls		Cowley College
Brianna Boyd	93 & 94 Girls		Concordia University - Chicago
Samantha Forgione	94 Girls	undeclared
Jordan Bryan	94 Girls	undeclared
Kara Doctor	94 Girls	undeclared
Taylor Halford	95 Girls		Rogers State University
Brooke Skylar	94 Girls	undeclared
Kody Adair	94 Boys	undeclared
Dylan Beaird	94 Boys	undeclared
Brent Bradford	94 Boys	undeclared
Reibi Bustos	94 Boys	undeclared
Caleb Clark	94 Boys	undeclared
Fidel Estrada	94 Boys	undeclared
Austin Harris	94 Boys	undeclared
Conner Kinkead	94 Boys	undeclared
Chris Orduna	94 Boys	undeclared
Michael Parsons	94 Boys	undeclared
Javier Portillo	94 Boys	undeclared
Rafael Rivera	94 Boys	undeclared
Bryan Santiago	94 Boys	undeclared
Logan Spence	94 Boys	undeclared
Paulo Velazquez	94 Boys	undeclared
Michael Hamilton	95 Boys	undeclared
Emily Gallaway	93 Girls	undeclared

** Undeclared means player has offers and intends to commit at a date forthcoming

        The WSA 01 Boys Red team, coached by Coach Alex McLaurin, finished as league champions in their first season of the u11 boys GCSA A League! The team finished the season 7-0-1, boasting a goal difference of 42-8 in their 8 league matches.   The team found its stride in the stretch run of the season.  The final four matches of the season were shutout victories, with a goal difference of 22-0.

        The 01 Reds catupulted into this season off a WSA Cup Championship last Spring, found their form at an unlikely moment this year in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The team found themselves down 3-0 at halftime to a highly touted TSC team, but pressed for an unlikely comeback, tying the game with just four minutes to play.  While they lost the match on a last minute goal to the eventual tournament champions, it was a defining moment for the team to rally from 3 goals back.  

        The improvements made from last Fall to this Fall have been extraordinary and the team is ready for the next challenge of the Oklahoma Premiere League.  "We play some good football at times and need to continue to work on certain areas of our game," reports coach Alex McLaurin.  The team has come together and seems prepared and confident heading into their next challenge, the Oklahoma Premiere League. 

WSA 01 Red Boys were raised in the WSA Academy Program. Pictured here during their younger academy days with Coach Alex.

        The WSA 01 Red’s will join clubmates, WSA 01 White, OPL Champions, and WSA 01 Blue, OPL Division II, in the Oklahoma Premiere League this coming Spring season. It marks WSA’s first time to have 3 teams playing at the highest league tier. Congratulations again to the WSA 01 Boys Red team on a tremendous 2011 Fall season and the League Championship! And good luck on the next season’s OPL debut!

WSA 01 BOYS RED U11 BOYS FALL SEASON GCSA "A" LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

     The WSA 01 Boys White Sharks team competed in one of Oklahoma’s most hotly contested leagues this past Fall season.  And while they didn’t stand near the top of the tables until the very end, they were able to edge out Blitz United 01 Navy by one point in the final standings to grab an auspicious League Championship in their first season of competitive soccer!

    WSA 01 Boys White Sharks, formerly Sharks 01, are not new to winning championship trophies.  The team, under the direction of staff, Adam Vasquez and Rey Bustos, has become one of Oklahoma’s highest achieving young teams.  The team regularly claimed tournament championships during it’s "academy" days playing "up" in age division. This year the team has opened it’s first season in league play by topping the best in Oklahoma.  "It was a tough race and we were able to come through at the end," reported Coach Vasquez, describing a league race that literally came down to the final weekend of the season.

     WSA 01 Boys White Sharks claimed 7 wins, 3 draws, and suffered only 2 defeats, in the 12 match Fall season.   To claim the championship required WSA to get wins on their final weekend of play, which they were able to do by defeating Blitz Red and FC Bartlesville Navy.  The squad amassed a total of 36 goals for and surrendered 25.  Their record produced 24 total points, one clear of OFC and Blitz Navy’s 23 points.  

     The team has already begun preparing itself for the tough Spring OPL season.  The team is currently competing in the West Side Futsal winter training league, and recently finished runners-up in the Winterfest Indoor tournament at SoccerCity.  They are preparing for a travel torunament to Kansas City in February. 

     WSA 01 White Sharks are one of the associated members of the "Sharks" academy and training program that is under the direction of Adam Vasquez.  Sharks and WSA have aligned rescources cooperatively the past two years and the relationship appears to be paying dividends. "Sharks certainly produces top quality players, but more important we share a similar philosophy in our approach to youth soccer.  We are thrilled to have the Sharks coaches, parents, and players a part of our family," reports WSA Director of Coaching, Roger Bush.

    Congratulations again to the WSA 01 White Sharks team for a great season and the OPL Division I Championship!  And good luck to the team headed into the Winter preseason and Spring Season! 

   West Side Alliance Soccer Club and the Sand Springs Salvation Army have inked a deal for a 10-acre sports facility, previously used for baseball and football, for a new training facility for the WSA Soccer Club.

   The facility is located off 41st Street and 129th West Avenue in South Sand Springs.  "The location is actually very convenient," reports WSA Director of Coaching, Roger Bush.  "The proximity to I-44, to Highway 97, and still only a few miles from Rivercity Parks, is ideal for several reasons."   The negotiations with the Salvation Army began last Spring and persisted through this summer when the deal seemed to become more of a reality.

Picture of the new WSA Salvation Army Training Facility which was opened on December 5th, 2011. See video tour below.

    WSA leadership council, Chris Foster, Treasurer, and Curt McGinis, Vice President of Operations, wound up inking the deal sometime in late November, after spending September and October in negotiations on terms of a contract that the WSA Board unanimously agreed was beneficial for the club program.  

    Recent growth in numbers, encumbering a membership population that exceeds 800 players at present, and increasing frequency of usage of Rivercity Parks, the club’s current match facilities, motivated the board officials to begin seeking a replacement to the STAR Training facility which had been in use since Spring 2008.  The STAR Facility was purchased last Winter by a private corporation for industrial development.  

Picture of Rivercity Parks surfaces during the recent 2010 WSA Cup.  One of many events adding stress to the facility. 

    "The newly leased training space at the Salvation Army will be a critical part of the recovery of our fields at Rivercity form the damage that resulted from the devastatingly hot and dry summer of 2011 and overusage forced on us from the sudden loss of the STAR Training Facility," reports WSA Field Committee member, Chris Foster.  

    The new facility at the Salvation Army will include 3 training "quads".  Each will be the approximate size of a "full sized" soccer field.  The facility contains 4 quads total, but WSA has agreed with the Salvation Army to only employ the use of 3 of the 4 quads for the first term of the lease.  The training quads measure in size from 110 yards X 80 yards, to 130 yards by 90 yards.  The facility also contains centralized restrooms, concession area, and video towers.  

    Goals, lights, trash barrels, bleachers, and other equipment have been added to the facility since December 1st, when the lease was officially begun.  Further rennovations to field surfaces, painting in lines, and other work will continue over the winter months.  

     The facility will replace Rivercity almost in full for training and practices for the WSA Competitive, WSA Academy and SSSC Rec and Youth Development programs.  "The objective is to keep traffic off Rivercity, upgrading the standards of those surfaces to rival the best in the country, and at the same time upgrading the standards of the surfaces and trainng grounds at Salvation Army," reports Bush.  "It is a monumental task."  

     The Amigos work crew will be busy, but they have already acted quickly in movement of goals, mowing the grounds, moving bleachers and trash barrels, to ready the facility for use.  

     Parking will take place behind (east side of) Angus Acres church which is located just north of the Salvation Army.  There is ample parking that is "field side" for another convenient trait of the facility.  WSA is grateful for the cooperation from Angus Ancres church.  

     The Salvation Army training facility does have some rules which WSA has asked all members to adhere to strictly:

                 NO SMOKING ANYWHERE ON THE FACILITY INCLUDING PARKING LOTS
                 STRICT TIME LIMITS:
                       MON-FRI 5 pm - 10 pm 
                       SAT Dawn - 10 pm
                       SUN 2 pm - 10 pm
                  TRASH PICK-UP - PLACE ALL TRASH IN BARRELS OR TAKE WITH YOU - DO NOT LEAVE ON GROUNDS

         WSA is certainly excited about the terms of this partnership with Salvation Army and the possibilities it creates for the club program in terms of managing space, affording top training conditions, and preserving match facilties.  The facility is currently "open for operation" during the winter holiday offseason.  Schedules will be created for Spring training sometime after the first of the year.

        View a video tour of the Salvation Army Training grounds below:

 WSA’s SALVATION ARMY TRAINING GROUNDS

       The WSA 97 Boys Red team headed into their league finale on Monday, November 7th, knowing a win would secure their league championship bid in the Oklahoma Premiere League.  Theu would face the defending Oklahoma State Champions, TSC 97, a team which had ousted WSA from the state semifinals a few months earlier.  

       "We’d been close.  We’d tied them before. But never quite gotten over the hump," reported assistant coach Richard Shaughnessy.  The night was apparently made for WSA.  On the road, in classic fashion, the team closed out the season on two top class goals, to defeat TSC 2-1 and capture the league crown with 7 wins and 1 loss.  WSA 97 Red finished with 21 points, and TSC 97 finished with 16 points in the standings (TSC had one match to play, but even with a win could not catch WSA).  The 97 Reds amassed 22 goals for and only 6 against on the season, giving away less than one goal per game, partly due to good defending and some timely goalkeeping! 

       While some individual performances highlighted the season, Coach Wes Branstetter referenced the teams "perseverance and heart" as keys to their success.  "We had numerous injuries this season and every instance someone has continued to step up and fill the void."  The "next man" mentality permeates many of the WSA "blue collar" squads, and it was no different this season for the 97 Reds.  "The boys take responsibility individually and as a team holding each other accountable for their efforts each game," coach Wes continued.  "They have learned that there is no subsitute for having heart on the field, and when you "will" your team on the pitch anything is possible."  

        While many would point to the turning point of the seaon as the winning goal in the league finale, the coaches think it might have been earlier in the season, in the first match vs TSC.  A bit of "pre-game banter" between the teams motivated the 97 Reds and the coaches believe the team played one of their top matches that day in spite of the 3-1 setback.  It was a pivotal moment as coach Wes pointed out, "The boys believed from that day forward that when they commited they could play with anyone".  

        As the season progressed that one blemish was the only setback in league play for the WSA squad.  They turned in 3 consecutive shutout victories following the loss to TSC, then went on a 3-game run in their last stretch,  in which they outscored their OPL opponents 11-3.  It became apparent that the 97 Reds might be able to complement their clubmates efforts from the 97 Blues who had claimed the local GCSA "A" League Championship.  "What a record setter that is for the club," claimed Branstetter, referencing the 97 boys program capturing two championships in the same season! The 97 Boys program which was developed and overseen by Coach Branstetter and Coach Adam Gardner from the academy ranks is proud of the ascension of the program which includes two league titles this season and Coach Oscar Gomez’s white team’s "auscipious" season debut.  WSA boasts 3 "97" programs, all on an apparent journey "upward".  The "reds", the "blues", and the "whites" have all had great seasons. 

        The 97 Reds have journeyed up the "step ladder" of the State and Region soccer stepping stones, having begun in the local "B" division, before winning promotion to the "A" then to the OPL, then last season qualifying for the Region League West Division (unable to attend due to quirk in scheduling).  The championship in the Oklahoma Premiere League is certainly a hallmark moment in a long list of trophies and accolades earned by the 97 Reds, but not the resting destination.   "The most important goal is fighting off complacency," reports Coach Branstetter.  

        The team recently went 2 wins and a loss at the Sam Shannon College Showcase, their only loss a 2-neil setback to their nemis TSC 97 in that event.  They will return to action at the Germantown Invitational Showcase, Dec 3-4th, before taking a holiday.  There are plenty of team goals in front of them and certainly some aspirations for May’s State Tournament.  While there are other accolades and milestones to go after, Coach Branstetter sums up the focus, "Truly our goal is to improve each day we step on the pitch, become consistent hard workers, great teammates, and students of the game."  A lofty ambition, but what it means to dawn the WSA Shield over your chest.  

       Well done on a great season to the 97 Reds!  Congrats on the trophy and for representing the club, our community and your families with class and dignity.  

WSA 97 Red shown here collecting hardware last season in Kansas City!         

   The WSA 97 Boys Blue team has had a long journey to arriving at their recent destination.  And make no mistake, Coach Adam Gardner, points out this destination isn’t a "final" destination.  "We are excited to be here and ready for the challenge ahead.  We know we have to earn the right to stay in the OPL and we also hope to continue to develop and improve in that setting."  

   After several seasons of  "close calls" the WSA 97 Boys Blue finally put all the pieces of a complete season together, capturing a win on the road in their season finale against Blitz United 97 Navy, Saturday, Nov 12th, to wrap up the undefeated league championship season! Previously the 97 Blue’s had made their way to late in the season in contention for the top prize, but found either too many draws or untimely goals against cost the team valuable points.  Not this time around! 

   The 97’s opened the season auspiciously by claiming the WSA Roundrobin championship during the preseason.  Coach Gardner pointed to the team’s progress, and even as recently as last spring several staff coaches noted the improved play of the young, up and coming squad. Last spring the team dropped a couple of home matches on days when all the possession, shots on goal, favored the team.  Sometimes that’s football. Stats don’t always favor the victor.  

   This season WSA 97 Blue came out strong and through a stout defense yielding less than a goal a game, and a formidable attack which found the net at a rate of over 3 times per match, the team had was clicking on all of it’s cylinders.  WSA put up 6 wins and a draw, to no losses, and 3 exhibition wins in league play.  The team was a narrow draw vs FC Bartlesville 97 away from a "perfect season" and found it’s toughest contest a road win at Ponca City early in the season.

   The next closest opponent was the Catoosa United Cannons, who claimed 14 points in the standings as the league runners-up.  WSA captured 19 of the 21 possible points to be 5 clear of Catoosa at season’s end. 

   The Championship season is not only fitting and deserving for a team who has followed the pattern of WSA’s philosophy of team and player development relying on "perseverance", but it is club landmark as well.  It will be the first time in WSA’s club history that two teams from the same age division will have earned their way into the OPL by winning GCSA Championships (WSA 97 Red earned this right 3 seasons ago and now have qualified for the PLW by winning this year’s OPL).  

    On October 15th, Coach Gardner reported to WSASOCCER.ORG, somewhat prophetically, "All roads lead us to being the first young "blue" team OPL team in the club if we finish well."  The mark of confidence is the result and Coach Gardner and the boys of 97 Blues can enjoy this accolade as hardware well earned! 

2011 Fall GCSA League Champions, WSA 97 Boys Blue!

GROUP STAGE PLAYED ONLINE - ELIMINATION PLAY TOURNEY LOCATION TBA!

SIGN UP NOW!

SEE WHO ELSE HAS SIGNED UP HERE

WHAT IS IT NOT?  Ironically the "Champion's Cup" is not for "champions".  However, if you win it, you are "the champion".

WHAT IS IT?  It is an intramural competition of teams formed amongst members of THE SIDE.  Older boys division (u15-u19 boys), an older girls division (u15-u19 girls), etc.  

WHAT ARE THE RULES?  7v7 Format (unless modified by the coaches).  15 minute games (unless modified by the coaches).  3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw (no modificaitons allowed).  

WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED?  On evenings of WSA Circuit Training (held approx 1-2 per month throughout offseason periods).  

LEAGUE TABLE OLDER BOYS DIVISION

COLLEGE COACH RSVP CLICK HERE

LIST OF ATTENDING COLLEGES CLICK HERE

INFO (More info coming soon!)

DATE: Friday, November 18th

TIME: 5:00 - 8:15 p.m.

LOCATION: Rivercity Parks (Home Ground of WSA Soccer)
Directions/Map Click Here

CHECK-IN: Player/Coach Check-In 4:30 p.m.

ITINERARY: Coming Soon

WHO: Invited Teams & Players/All Interested College Coaches (contact RogerWSA@aol.com

WE WILL STILL HOST THE FULL COURSE DINNER FOLLOWING THE COMBINE AT THE CASE CENTER ON THE WSA TRAINING GROUNDS!  Menu forthcoming!  All players & club/college coaches invited!
 

 Click "X" Lower Right to Enlarge View - Sound Begins 15 seconds Into Video

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