As you probably already know, this year marks the 25th year of boys high school soccer in Springfield. Today is the 25th anniversary of the first game.
On Thursday, September 6, 1984 the Glendale Falcons and Central Bulldogs squared-off at 4:30pm at Kickapoo (all matches that year were played at Kickapoo) to play the first high school soccer game in Springfield. The Falcons won that first match, 4-2.
The Springfield Daily News has this report in the September 7 edition:
Ian Eskelin of the Glendale’s Falcons scored three goals in their 4-2 victory over Central in the first soccer match played by Springfield public high schools.
Central’s Thanh Truong scored the first goal of the game, but Glendale answered with an Eskelin score. The first half ended in a 1-1 tie.
In the second half Central once again took the early lead with a goal by Hien Tran. This time Glendale’s Mark Nel scored the answering goal to tie the game, 2-2.
Eskelin this finished all scoring with is second and third goals of the night, giving Glendale the 4-2 win.
The pictures are interesting, but of insufficient quality to post. Both teams look like they are wearing basketball jerseys. Glendale’s Tony Plaster is pictured in morning edition (The Daily News) and Ian Eskelin is pictured in the evening edition (Leader & Press).
Steve Olson’s SGFsoccer.com The Magazine will feature a story about the 25th anniversary of high school soccer in Springfield. Watch for it to hit the virtual newsstand in the coming weeks.
