Q & A With MICDS Soccer Coach Michael Black

Editors note: In a Mercy rule shortened game and in the rain, MICDS won its 13th game of the year, beating Lutheran South, 10-0. The Rams are 13-1-1 this year.

Caroline Militello scored a natural hat trick, four goals in the game including the first coming just 27 seconds into the match. Militello has 14 goals, 8 assists for 36 points. The Rams have outscored opponents 64-7 this season.
Cassy Collins, Mary Condie and Izzie Howerton each scored 2 goals in the game-shortened win.

Loads of game photos on the Ladue-Frontenac Facebook page.

Because of lightening before the Lutheran South game a rain delay was the perfect opportunity to catch up with MICDS soccer coach Michael Black as he sets the table for the playoffs. This is what he had to say to the Ladue-Frontenac Patch:

Patch: You have a busy end-of-the season schedule to prepare for districts?

Black: Yes, we have games with Clayton, Webster and Ladue and Villa. That’s Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, then we start districts the following Tuesday against the winner of Clayton or University City.

Thursday is the district finals and if we win, we’d face either Incarnate Word or Ladue.

Last year in districts, we worked so hard to beat Villa it took a little something out of us.

Patch: Visitation is not in your district this time.

Black: No they are not. I think when we beat them, we really woke them up. If we win districts, a game with Visitation could be next up? St. Dominic could be after that, and no matter how you look at it, it’s not an easy road.

Patch: The records indicate MICDS has never won a district championship.

Black. Never, boys or girls. I’ve been with the school for 11 years, and 5th year with the girls, and non ever before that.

Patch: Seems like now you really have a solid ballclub?

Black: We do. This is a very solid team and is working very hard.

Patch: You have lots of scorers on your forward line.

Black: Yes we do. Claire Ringenberg and Caroline Militello in the midfield and Klasey Medelberg and Amber Jones up top and Taylor Baur behind them gives us a lot of opportunities.

We have other girls, when given the opportunity have stepped up and scored some goals. Some of our bench players are doing that.

Patch: Keep in mind, your schedule has been pretty challenging.

Black: I think it was a good, balanced schedule. We want to challenge ourselves, but we don’t want every game to be a top quality opponent. The season is just too short to have a schedule against a tough team every time out. That can wear a team down.

Patch: Last question, what has Bill Merello (assistant coach) meant to your program?

Black: Bill has been a wonderful addition to our program. He was exactly what the program needed. Being retired and single, he has a passion for soccer and devotes endless time. He is able to do so many things for us. He also helps the boys’ program too.

We have good coaching in all the different sports. The athletic department recognizes talent and there are rewards for being here.