O'Neill AYSO Soccer Team Takes Second At Mid-America Tourney In North Platte

O'NEILL AYSO U-19 SOCCER TEAM took second in  the Mid-American Soccer Tournament in North Platte recently. Front row (l-r): Ellery Butterfield and Jacey Kozisek. Second row (l-r): Jesse Albarran, Joey Gillham, Alyssa Wiese, Kailey Kumm, Blanca Lopez and Jose Lopez.Third row (l-r): Coach Ron Bennetts, Dion Nemec, Jacob Bennetts, Jordyn Johnson, Cole Aufdenkamp, Angel Rodriguez, Amador Medina, Andrea Bennetts and Coach Jamie Lindsay.

For the first time in several years, a U-19 soccer team from O'Neill traveled to a tournament. The  AYSO Mid-America Soccer Tournament, held June 1 - 3, in North Platte hosted teams from Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. 

While not scheduled to play on Friday night, the team was unexpectedly invited to play a "friendly" game. Knowing they were adding to an already intense tournament schedule, the team enthusiastically agreed. After all, they had come to play soccer. 

Although not typical in the world of soccer, O'Neill was scheduled to play three games on Saturday. They came out victorious in all three games. The first two games ended in shutouts with O'Neill winning 6-0. The third game played out slightly different. At halftime, the team was trailing 3-1, only to fight the physical fatigue and mental weariness to come back and win the game 6-4, solidifying their place in the championship game. 

In the championship game, after regulation play and two periods of overtime, they were tied 5-5. This drove the game into a penalty shoot out, resulting in O'Neill coming away with second place in the tournament. 

Coaches from two opposing teams saw fit to compliment the O'Neill players, not only on their high quality of play, but also on the high level of sportsmanship that the team exhibited throughout the tournament. As a result, the team was personally invited to return to North Platte for the Midwest Cup in late July. 

"This team had a great desire to play and that desire and heart showed on and off the field throughout the weekend." Coach Lindsay commented, "The O'Neill community was well-represented by this team and we are very proud of each and everyone of these players."