AREA SOCCER PLAYERS FIND ALL-STATE RECOGNITION

It's been an arduous process, but soccer in Southeast Missouri appears to be making some in-roads as far as gaining respect statewide.

In what represents a bumper crop of all-staters, three Cape Girardeau high school soccer players were accorded all-state honors by the Missouri Coaches Association.

Sweeper Nick Kapfer and midfielder Scott Wittenborn of Notre Dame were bestowed the honor in 1A-3A as well as midfielder Jon Mark Thompson of Cape Central in 4A. Notre Dame forward Tyler Cuba was also recognized with honorable mention as was Jackson midfielder Greg Schwab.

Although Cape Central has had some standout players over the years, as well as some sterling records, Thompson represents the first Tiger to make the all-state team.

"We've had some good players, but we've always seemed to get overlooked down this way," said Cape Central coach Tom Doyle, who said several players have received honorable mention over the years.

Thompson, a junior, netted 19 goals and had seven assists this season.

"He's a leader by example," said Doyle. "There were several games where he controlled the middle and allowed us to win the game. He's the total package. He can do it all."

Wittenborn, a junior, scored a school-record 24 goals for Notre Dame, which reached the 1A-3A sectional round, where it lost to eventual state champion St. Mary's.

"Those were all honest goals," said Notre Dame coach Brad Wittenborn, Scott's father. "We don't run up goals on anybody. He never scored more than two in a game so he was consistent all season."

Wittenborn also assisted on 14 goals.

Kapfer was the only senior on a young Notre Dame team that finished 18-8-1 and ranked ninth in the final state coach's poll. As a defender, he scored just five goals and had three assists, but he also helped the Bulldogs post nine shutouts.

"Nick was the key to that because we had so many young defenders," said Wittenborn.

He added, "He was the only senior so we really counted on him for leadership."

Cuba, a sophomore, scored 20 goals and had eight assists.