> SOUTHERN INDIANA — It's that time again when we reminisce and select a mix of the best soccer moments and stories of 2011, both locally and elsewhere.

Just a glance at the top moments suggest it was the year of girl power, with a state title for the fairer sex coming to the area, not to mention the excitement of the Women's World Cup in the summer.

The moments are in no particular order of preference, and if you feel we've left anything out, you can add to it on our blog (kickitblog.wordpress.com), where we have more on the year.

To all our readers and friends: Thanks for all your support and cooperation during the year, and have a very, merry Christmas and a kicking 2012.

Providence wins Indiana girls' state title

Along with the introduction of two-class soccer to Indiana came Providence's first IHSAA state-sanctioned crown in any sport courtesy of its girls' soccer team. The Pioneers beat Mishawaka Marian in the Class A championship game in a penalty shootout at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, completing an unbeaten year (21-0-2). Providence went through the postseason without conceding a single goal while also recording 12 consecutive shutouts.

The Women's World Cup

The FIFA Women's World Cup, held in Germany during the summer, saw the United States just miss out on the title when beaten on penalty kicks by surprise packet Japan in the final. However, it was the quarterfinal clash against Brazil — a sports movie in one game — that will long be remembered. 

It had the earliest-ever own goal (74 seconds), a sending off,  a debatable penalty after said sending off and a spirited fight back from a U.S. team uniting to overcome adversity, manufacturing the latest-ever goal in a World Cup. And to top it all, the game then had a thrilling penalty-shootout victory with goalkeeper Hope Solo pulling off a match wining save. 

Hoosiers Lauren Cheney and Lori Lindsey were also part of the squad. The event was described as World Cup 2.0 as there was a notable shift in the public obtaining information or watching games online. 

The Proposal

Colin Bell will always remember his first victory in sectionals as Silver Creek boys' soccer coach, an 8-0 result against Rock Creek Academy, for more than one reason. It also was the night he proposed to his sweetheart, Morgan Young, during the halftime break at the Providence-hosted event. With his side up 4-0, Bell made his way over to the bleachers with his players, each one carrying a rose. There sat Pioneer graduate Young, who had been asked to bring a “forgotten” polo top of Bell's to the game. 

“The first guy put the vase down in front of her and the rest set their roses in the vase,” Bell told Kick It. “ I had this whole thing prepared, comparing soccer to love, but I froze up. All I said was, 'I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?'” 

Luckily, Young responded in the affirmative, to the roaring approval of the crowd. 

Christian Academy wins sectional

Christian Academy of Indiana won its first-ever boys' sectional crown when it beat Providence, 2-0 in the local Class A championship decider. Floyd Central beat Jasper, 2-1 in the local Class 2A girls' sectional title game, while Jasper beat New Albany in the Class 2A boys' sectional final, 2-1 after overtime.

Local trio part of Kentucky state champs 

Soccer powerhouse St. Xavier won its 11th Kentucky state title and helping them achieve the record feat were Southern Indiana senior trio Gabe Stewart, Mitch Brinkworth and Logan Riely. The Tigers (27-1-1) won the championship, 3-0 against Ryle at Paul Dunbar High School in Lexington, chalking up their 26th consecutive victory.

Klinsmann named new U.S.A. coach 

Bob Bradley was relieved of his duties as the U.S. men's coach and was replaced by California based German Jürgen Klinsmann, ushering in a new era in U.S. soccer and finally ending a five-year chase for his services. Qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil start for the U.S. next June.

Another goal tragedy 

Fourth grader Jonathan Nelson died after a goal falls over at Elm Tree Elementary school in Arkansas in January. Police and administrators confirmed the goal was not anchored, while parents tell a local TV station that some children were leaning against the goal when it fell over and hit the 9 year old in the head. There have been 36 known and reported deaths in the United States from injuries sustained by soccer goals since 1979. During that time, players in Lafayette, Ind. and Bardstown, Ky. have sustained serious injuries.

U of L reaches Elite Eight; Women make Sweet 16

The University of Louisville men's soccer team went out of the NCAA Division I tournament at the Elite Eight stage, losing to UCLA, who it had conquered at the same point last year on its way to the final. This year's championship game saw No. 1 North Carolina beat unranked state rival Charlotte, 1-0. The Cards women's soccer program, meanwhile, posted its greatest postseason run, making the last 16 but losing out, 2-0 to ninth ranked Florida State. The title was won by Stanford, who beat Duke by a lone goal.

A Real 'Gemma'

Gemma Newland, Southern Indiana United's vice president of referees, was named the Administrator of the Year by Indiana Youth Soccer. 

“It feels weird to have all of this attention,” said the New Albany mother of four, recognized for her tireless dedication for the past 18 years. “The reward was totally unexpected, as I don't feel that I do anything remarkable.”

Fan blags way onto bench

Republic of Ireland fan Conor Cunningham traveled to Talinn — without a ticket — to see his country's Euro 2012 first-leg playoff against Estonia and ended up on the opposition's bench. While trying to blag his way into the game with his friends, he discovered an Estonian tracksuit in a small room with a bag of soccer balls. He proceeded to put the tracksuit on over his jeans and Ireland shirt. 

Cunningham continues the story, “I didn't know what to do, to be honest, so I thought I'd better go into the Estonian dug-out. No one said anything to me and then I realized I was sitting beside their manager (Tarmo Ruutli).” 

At the end of the game, he went onto the field with his bag of balls and celebrated with the delirious Irish players, who practically ensured qualification for Euro 2012 with a 4-0 victory.

Other stories: Los Angeles Galaxy wins MLS Cup; Barcelona wins Champions League final against Manchester United and World Club Championship against Santos; River City Rovers plays its first season in the Premier Development League; Borden's Grant Hollkamp makes Region II '97 team; Wales national team coach and former player Gary Speed apparently takes his own life; former Brazil star Sócrates dies; Women's Professional Soccer survives as a five team league is approved for 2012 by the U.S. Soccer Federation.