News Archive
2022
STL City welcomes home Michael Creek who signs to play with STL City beginning in 2023
2021
GKbyDK student Katy Fitzler (2023) leads St. Dominic HS (O'Fallon, MO) to a Spring 2021 Missouri HS State title.
2021 Missouri All-State Honors for Collin Nowotny (Marquette HS, St. Louis, MO / 2022) and Garrison Gralike (St. Mary's HS, St. Louis, MO / 2022)
Rylee Griffith (Francis Howell HS, St. Charles, MO / 2022) commits to play for the U. of Missouri-St. Louis for the Fall of 2022.
Nolan Cosgrove (Parkway West HS, St. Louis, MO / 2019) commits to transferring and playing for the U. of Northern Illinois for the Fall of 2022.
2020
Garrison Gralike (St. Mary's HS, St. Louis, MO / 2022) selected to All State Team
2019
Nolan Cosgrove (Parkway West HS / 2019) commits to play for the University of Tulsa for the Fall of 2019.
Zach Martin (Eureka HS / 2019) commits to play for Lindenwood University for the Fall of 2019.
2017
December 2017 . . . Former GKbyDK student Matt Pickens starting a new USL chapter with former Colorado Rapids Coach, Gary Smith, and new USL franchise Nashville SC for the upcoming 2018 USL season.
2016
Spring 2016 . . . GKbyDK alumni and Saint Louisan Matt Pickens (Borgia HS and Missouri State) has renewed his NASL contract for a 3rd season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
2015
Matt Pickens commits to a 2nd NASL Season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Coach Stuart Campbell.
Kevin Corby (SLUH/UMKC) signs a short-term contract with the St. Louis Ambush (MISL).
Kevin Corby (SLUH) signs outdoor with the USL Charleston Battery for the 2015 season.
2014
After leading SIUE to a 2014 MVC Tournament Championship and an NCAA I Soccer Tournament berth, Kent Kobernus (Belleville West HS) a long-time DKGK Academy student, has signed with St. Louis FC (USL PRO) for the Inaugural 2015 Season. Congratulations, Kent!
Kevin Corby (SLUH) finishes his College playing career at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) as the school's GAA and Save PercentageLleader.
2013
Sophomore Michael Creek made the Lindbergh Varsity Soccer team this past Fall (2013). As the back-up goalkeeper, he got time time as a field player and became their leading goal scorer with 7 goals and 2 assists. Michael's two most memorable games were when he scored a hat trick against SLUH and recorded a brace (two goals) against Saint Mary's. This past December, MIchael received an opportunity to play for the Midwest Region II ODP team in the Interregional Tournament in Sarasota, Florida. In one and a half games he conceded only one goal on a penalty kick. Congratulations, Michael!
Congratulations to Jack Robinson, SLUH senior goalkeeper, and the Junior Billlikens for their penalty kick victory over Eureka on Saturday, November 16th, in the Quarterfinals of the State tournament. Jack stopped 2 of the 4 penalty shots he faced. Read more about the game in Jack Kvidahl's article "Robinson Saves the Day as SLUH Ousts Eureka in Penalty Kicks" @ stltoday.com Jack was also named stltoday.com's Athlete of the week for his performance against Eureka.. Read more here.
Congratulations to Brenden Heaton, senior GK at Edwardsville (IL) high school, and the Tigers on their Illinois state Championship 2-1 victory over Wheeling . Brenden sparkled in the nets as was noted by Patrick McGavin, a writer for stltoday.com. "In the 46th minute, Wheeling (23-2-2) started its comeback as Tigers senior keeper Brenden Heaton made a superb diving stop of Garcia's free kick . . . [only to have the rebound] punched in . . . Heaton also deflected a Garcia header in the 68th minute." Congratulations Brenden! Congratulations Tigers!
Congratulations to Jack Robinson, SLUH senior goalkeeper, and the Junior Billlikens for their 1-0 victory over Chaminade in the district championship. SLUH was led by Jack and his brother, Luke, who scored the contest's only goal. "Chaminade coach Mike Gauvain said, "But credit to SLUH for keeping us off the board, and credit to their goalkeeper for playing probably one of his finest games. . . " You can read more at stltoday.com.
After defeating Sandburg HS (Orland Park, IL) in November 5th's Super Sectional 2 - 0, the Edwardsville (IL) high school Tigers and Brenden Heaton, senior goalkeeper, will be heading to the IHSA state finals. The Tigers are entering the semi finals of the tournament with a record of 19-3-2 and a 13 game winning streak . . . Heaton has recorded 900 straight minutes of shutout ball (with the exception of a Quincy PK ) and he has recorded 13 shutouts this season. Go Heaton! Go Tigers!
Fall 2013 College Signings: Robert Jones of Triad HS in Troy, IL signed to play at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO . . . Liz Wagnon of Brentwood HS signed to play at Illinois College in . . . you guessed it, Illinois . . . Congrats to Robert and Liz!
Blake Westerman, Mehlville class of 2011, who signed at Harris Stowe State University for the 2013 Fall season made history on Friday night (September 20th). Blake made big news in the American Midwest Confereence of the NAIA helping unranked Harris Stowe tie the 15th Nationally-ranked Columbia college team in a thrilling double overtime game. Columbia outshot Harris Stowe 17 - 4 in regulation and 6 - 0 in overtime. Blake ended the game with double digit saves. Theis is a huge turnaround from last year's 8 - 0 defeat to Columbia College. Congratulations, Blake!
College signings update: Josh Richter (Oakville High School - 2011) has committed to Maryville University (NCAA Division II) after leading Jefferson College this past Fall to the 2012 NJCAA National Finals. . . Tina Haberberger (Oakville High School - 2014) has committed early to Drury College Of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. Congrats to both these Oakvillians (or is that Oakvillans?)!
Additional College Signings: Allison Wilcox, class of 2013 at Duchesne, committed to play at Maryville University this Fall for Eric Delabar, former Quincy great net minder, in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. . . . Alex Toennies of Triad High School (2013) signed to play this Fall with Heartland College (Normal, IL) . . .Alexis Phillipe, a junior at Cor Jesu, signed to play at Division I Arkansas State University of the Sun Belt Conference in the Fall of 2014. . . .Alison Koerkenmeier of Wesclin High School in Trenton, IL, who is currently at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, IL, has committed to play NCAA Division I soccer for the University of Hartford (CT) as she pursues her engineering degree. Kudos to Allison, Alex, Alexis and Alison (now that's alliteration)!
2012
Matt Dehr, formerly of Edwardsville Illinois High School (2012) is playing club soccer at the University of Oklahoma where he is a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program with full scholarship. He is studying to become a meteorologist.
Ryan Bass, training with Duane since he was eleven years old, earned All American Honors this year while leading Rockhurst to a 2012 NCAA playoff berth. Congratulations Ryan!
Fall (2012) college signings from the Class of 2013: Abby Rowan of Wentzville Holt High School has committed to play at NCAA Division II William Jewell of Liberty, MO in the Great Lakes Valley Conference while Hannah Poteet of O'Fallon High School (IL) has committed to play for NCAA Division II Bellarmine University of Louisville, Kentucky which plays in the Lakes Valley Conference. Hannah will also be training in Wisconsin with the Top 60 Elite Club National League (ECNL) girls on February 2nd and 3rd (2013). Congratulations, ladies!
Congratulations to Mariah Klenke (Highland High School, IL) for the lengthy list of awards she racked up during her sophomore season at the University of Tennessee @ Martin this past Fall. . . including 1st Team All Ohio Valley conference, All Tournament Team, Tournament MVP as well as Team MVP. Mariah has recorded 22 wins during her first two seasons @ Martin - a school goalkeeping record for career wins.
Congrats to SLUH keeper Jack Robinson for his selection to the 2012 All Metro Catholic Conference First Team. For the rest of the team visit stltoday.com.
Four of the five keepers to play in June 30th, 2012 North - South All Star game at the AB Center in Fenton are students at our Goalkeeping Academy. Hanna Benben (Villa Duchesne) and Jordan Gnolfo (Fort Zumwalt East) represented the North and Nina Tzianos (Lindbergh) and Samantha Bersett (Cor Jesu) minded the nets for the South. Nina and Samantha will be more than happy to talk about the game when you get a chance to congratulate them!
Hannah Benben (Villa) was also named to the 2012 Class 2A All-State team while Samantha Bersett (Cor Jesu) was selected as a member of the Saint Louis All-Metro squad.
Jeremiah Cooper played in the nets for the North Boys in June's High School Boys' North-South contest. Jeremy is a graduate of Trinity High School where he made the Class 2A All-State squad. He was selected as the Class 2A Keeper of the Year, AAA All-Conference and the All-Southeast Goalkeeper of the Year. He finished the Fall 2011 Season with a .97 Goals Against Average and 15 Shutouts.
News From the 2012 Girls High School State Championships in Kansas City: Samatha Bersett lead Cor Jesu to its first Class 3A High School State Championship title Saturday, June 2, while Melissa Powers led Saint Joseph's Academy to a Class 3A Third Place finish. In Class 2A, Nicole Kelly minded the nets in Rosati Kain's Second Place finish. Congratulations, ladies!!
Saint Louis Post-Dispatch 2012 Spring Players to Watch list: Nina Tzianos, a senior at Lindbergh. As a junior, Tzianos had 20 wins, 15 shutouts and a 0.76 goals-against average, earning a second-team Post-Dispatch All-Metro honors. "With Nina back there, we know we have a chance to win every time we take the field," coach Mark Giesing said. She has signed with UMKC. (From stltoday.com - 3/15/12)
Congratulations to Incarnate Word Academy alum Natalie Kulla, the Marquette University soccer goalkeeper who was named the 2011-2012 Big East female scholar-athlete of the year. Kulla receives a $4,000 scholarship for graduate or professional studies. Kulla was a two-time Big East goalkeeper of the year winner and holds Marquette records for most single-season shutouts (16) and career shutouts (43). (From stltoday.com - 3/10/12)
Kudos to Jeremiah Cooper, a senior at Trinity, who led the Titans to the finals of the 2011 MIssouri Class 2 State Championship only to fall to the undefeated Priory Rebels. Coach John Mohrman had this to say of Jeremiah in an article in the Post Dispatch: "He was absolutely fantastic. I went to find him right after the game and congratulated him. He made every kind of save and it really kept the game close." Read a profile on Jeremiah here.
Congrats to SLUH keeper Jack Robinson for his "shout out" in stltoday.com on SLUH's victory over Chaminade September 21 - "Hoffman scored again after a strong run to make it 3-1 with 27:09 left. Chaminade came at SLUH with everything it had, but Robinson and his defense held strong. Robinson, a junior, came up with the stop of the match with about 7½ minutes to play, making an acrobatic save on a point-blank header from the Red Devils' David Stoll." Jack also went on to record the shutout in SLUH's 1-0 victory over CBC in the CYC Tournament Final.
Chris Yount (MICDS) will be playing at DePauw University this Fall while Bailey Tracey (Triad HS / SWIC) and Jordan Gnolfo (Zumwalt East HS) will be playing at Lindenwood University. Contrats to all!
John Schnurbusch of Jefferson College and Farmington High School signed with Division I Lipscomb University (Atlantic Sun Conference) to play there this Fall (2012). Well done, JS!
Congrats to Zeke Sevcik (Mehlville HS) who signed to play with Jefferson College (Hillsboro, MO) this Fall 2012.
Kudos to Jeremiah Cooper of Trinity High School who recently signed to play at the University of Missouri - Saint Louis while Dara Markus (Usuline Academy) signed to play at Ohio Weslyan this fall.
Best wishes to Hanna Benben, a senior at Villa Duchesne, who recently signed to play keeper at Saint Louis University (2012)!
Congratulations to Claire Steward (Mehlville HS) who recently committed to the University of Louisiana - Lafayette to play next Fall (2012).
Charger Samantha Bersett (Cor Jesu) signed to play at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
And finallly, Dan Brennan (Edwardville High School), commmitted to the University of Louisville, a 2010 NCAA Finalist.
2011
Ashton Aubuchon, a graduate of Hazelwood West, earned First Team honors and Goalkeeper of the year for the Ohio Valley conference playing for Southeast Missouri State
Mallory Yant, a senior at Ursuline, needs to build a new trophy case. This past spring, whe was selected First Team All-Metro, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State and Missouri Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and the MAC's Sam Copple Award Winner. Look out Hope Solo!
Elle Meitl of Nerinx and Meghan Dolan of Parkway West, took part in the MAC-UMB High School All-Star game this past June at the AB Complex in Fenton. Congratulations!
Joe Esrock, a recent graduate of Whitfield, is attending Hendrix College in Arkansas this coming Fall of 2011.
Kudos to Nina Tzianos, a senior at Lindbergh, was selected Second Team All-Metro as well as Second Team MIssouri All-State this past Spring.
Recent Signings Update: Jessica Davis, long-time student and currently a senior at Belleville West, committed to play this Fall at Webster University. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Mariah Klenke, a senior at Highland High School for signing with the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Kudos to Kassidi Nudd, a senior at Triad High School. She recently signed with Utah State.
Mallory Yant, a senior at Ursuline, committed to play GK at Brown University this coming Fall of 2011. Congratulations!
Megan Dolan, a senior at Parkway West, a member of Kirk Moser's SLSG U18 club and an invitee to the ESP regional camp, signed to play at Lynn University in Boca Rotan, FL next fall on the condition that she can leave Florida each December to train in Saint Louis with Duane!
Where are they now updates: Kent Kobernus, Belleville West 2010 graduate, is currently playing in the tough Big 10 at Wisconsin.
Dan Cimicata, a Trinity graduate, is currently playing at Dominican University in Chicago. Dominican is a Division III powerhouse finishing 2nd in the National Championship in 2009.
Lauren Parkin, a GKDK Academy attendee since age 10, was also selected to the Illinois All State team this past spring. A former graduate of EHS, she now attends and plays at the University of Illinois.
Brooke Cooley of Alton High School was named the Alton Telegraph Player of the Year last spring is attending Central Missouri. She has been a student since age 12.
Ellen Augsburger, a 2010 Nerinx Hall graduate, is currently playing at Regis University in Denver. She has been a DKGK Academy student since 2002.
Awards Update: Junior Hanna Benben of Villa Duchesne High School, training at DKGK Academy since age 12, was a selected to the 2010 Missouri All-State Team as a sophomore.
Daniel Brennan, a junior at Edwardsville High School, was selected to the Illinois All-State team this past fall. Daniel has been a DKGK student since his "pudgy" days as a fifth grader.
Patrick McNamee, a Vianney High graduate and DK Academy student since 1998, was named the GLVC Defender of the Year as well as an NCAA Division 2 All American team this past fall for the University of Missouri of Science & Technology (Rolla).
Championship Update: Kyle Leveling lead Columbia High School to a 3rd place finish in the Illinois High School playoffs this past fall.
Joe Esrock, class of 2011, after recovering from ACL surgery last winter, led Whifield High School to another Missouri State title.
Sam Lund, a 2010 Brentwood graduate and son of Rich, a long time area keeper for Watnee's Red and PNA, is currently playing at Quincy University. Quincy made it to the Division II playoffs this past fall for the first time.
Andrew Evola, a senior at SLUH, finished the season with ten shutouts and led the Junior Billikens to a 3rd place finish in the Missouri State Championship.
Side Notes: :) Matt Pickens, former DK Academy student and graduate of Borgia High School, was called to the U.S. National Team camp this month after minding the nets for MLS 2010 Champions, the Colorado Rapids.
2010
Ashton Aubuchon leads Hazelwood West to a Quarterfinal finish in Class 3 Missouri High School Championships . . .
Sarah Clark, a Westminister Academy graduate and senior All-State selection, will be attending the University of Kansas.
Natalie Kulla, of Marquette University and a GKDK student for over 7 years, has been invited to the US Women's U23 National Team training camp this past January.
Matt Pickens, former DK Academy student and graduate of Borgia High School, was called to the U.S. National Team camp this month after minding the nets for MLS 2010 Champions, the Colorado Rapids.
Patrick McNamee, a Vianney High graduate and DK Academy student since 1998, was named the GLVC Defender of the Year as well as an NCAA Division 2 All American team this past fall for the University of Missouri of Science & Technology (Rolla)
Melissa Powers, a senior at St. Joe's Academy, led her JB Marine club to a first place finish at the Midwest Regional Futsal Tournament here in Saint Louis in January. She will be traveling to KC this February to play in the Futsal National Tourney.
Lauren Parkin, a GKDK Academy attendee since age 10, was also selected to the Illinois All State team this past spring. A former graduate of EHS, she now attends and plays at the University of Illinois.
2008
Kent Kobernus, a long time goalkeeper student and keeper with Metro United Soccer Club and Belleville West high school, was invited to train with the Men's U17 National Team.
The Sam Copple Award is given to the outstanding male and female goalkeepers in the Saint Louis area. Recent Academy winners of the Sam Copple Award are: Claire Lovercheck, (Hazelwood Central, SIU-E) 2008, Natalie Kulla (IWA, Marquette) 2007, Jessica Lewis (Nerinx, Missouri, 6 yr. Student) 2005, Conor Ellinger (Chaminade, Vanderbilt, 8yr. Student) 2004, Steve Kozeny (Chaminade) 2003.
Natalie Kulla, of Marquette University and a GKDK student for over 7 years, has been invited to the US Women's U20 National Team training camp at Home Depot Center, CA for a week this Spring of 2008.
Lauren Potzman - long time keeper student - plays for Incarnate Word Academy. Congratulations Missouri HS Class 2 State Champions. Critical saves in both semifinal and final. Heading to Northern Iowa College.
Claire Lovercheck, a long time keeper student from Hazelwood Central HS, was selected Suburban North Player of Year. She lead her team to Missouri HS Final Four Class 2. She is also the Sam Copple Award Winner for St. Louis GK of the year. She will be attending SIU-E this fall.
Congratulations - Jessica Kozeny, St. Joe HS alum and GK student since 1997, on receiving the NCAA III Award for the lowest GAA in 2008 and for setting the Webster University Career Shutout record.
Nina Tzianos - Vardar, Lindbergh HS, - was invited to the US Olympic Development (ODP) Regional Camp this July of 2008.
Patrick McNamee, GK student since 1998, was named 2008 GLVC Freshman of the Year as GK for UM- S&T.
GKbyDK Student Matt Pickens is playing professionally in Scotland this 08/09 season. He previously played 4 MLS seasons with the Chicago Fire. Matt attended Missouri State and Borgia High School.
2007
Tim O Hara, another long time keeper student, will be attending Harvard University.
Greg Crook, senior GK at SIUE, student since 7th grade, was named NSCAA All-American for 2007 season.
