Sept. 19, 2007

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Less than 24 hours after beating No. 19-ranked Lindenwood (Mo.) University 5-3 at Lindsey Wilson Park, the Blue Raider men's soccer team welcomed friendlier faces to their home pitch.

On Sunday, September 9, members and coaches of the Lindsey Wilson College men's soccer team worked with more than 100 youth from Adair and surrounding counties at a free soccer clinic. The clinic is held each year prior to the Blue Raider Youth Soccer League.

"It's a chance for our team to give back to a community that continues to support us year after year," said Gavin Oldham, LWC men's assistant soccer coach and one of the youth league's organizers. "Soccer is a game full of skill, passion and teamwork, and our guys are very excited to pass along their knowledge to the youngsters in this league."

The Blue Raider Youth Soccer League is divided into four age groups that range from 3 to 11 years old. Emphasis is on learning the game's fundamentals and having fun.

On Sunday, 23 LWC players spent more than an hour teaching soccer fundamentals to area youth.

"It's amazing watching these kids kick the ball around and their exuberance when the ball goes into the net," senior midfielder Adam Howard said. "I worked with the 3 to 4-year-olds and it was so much fun watching them learn what a header is and how to trap the ball. We really had a great time."

"Our goal is to give the youth of this area a means to learn the game we love," Oldham said. "It turned out that our guys enjoyed it as much as the kids."

The 14-team youth league kicks off this weekend and runs through the end of October.

Contact: Chris Wells
270-384-8071