Cassville Democrat: High School Sports: Soccer Wildcats are district champs (11/10/05)

Soccer 'Cats are district champions: The Cassville Wildcats upset Carthage 1-0 to claim the district championship last Wednesday night. The win gives the soccer 'Cats a 22-4 record going into the state quarterfinals. This is the first district championship for Cassville's six-year-old soccer program. In the front row, from left, are: Nick Schlichtman, Amit Patel, Hector Valenzuela, Jeremiah Harris, Kyle Bishop, Michael Marshall, Spencer Lynch, Nate Evans, Jason Bromley, Aaron Jamieson, Kurt Baker, Cory Wilbanks and Marc Dumpff. Second row: Coach Brian Wilbanks, Mitch Vincent, Ryan Schlichtman, Adam Brown, Brett Buchanan, Brandon Banks, Justin Nosler, Kyle Mills, Matt Frazier and Coach Terry Jamieson. Democrat Photo

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In only six seasons, Cassville High School has undergone an amazing progression in soccer, and it has culminated with a district title and a place among the top eight Class 2 schools in Missouri. Head Coach Terry Jamieson and the Wildcats traveled to Carthage for the 2005 district tournament, which will be recalled as the matches that put Cassville in with the big dogs.

The Wildcats opened district play by defeating Monett 1-0 behind a Nick Schlichtman goal. The team then took apart Ozark 3-0 behind goals from Aaron Jamieson, Ryan Schlichtman and Nick Schlichtman. Senior Brett Buchanan had an assist in the match.

Seniors Schlichtman and Buchanan have combined for 59 goals on the year.

Then Cassville got over the mountain with a stunning 1-0 win over Carthage in the district finals to earn the right to compete in the state quarter-finals against powerhouse Lee's Summit West High School from suburban Kansas City.

In the win over the Tigers, Ryan Schlichtman nailed the lone goal that handed Carthage the loss. Buchanan earned the assist when he headed the ball to Ryan after receiving a pass into the penalty area from Nick Schlichtman.

The Wildcat defense of Nate Evans, Jason Bromley, Spencer Lynch, Jeremiah Harris and Amit Patel dominated in the district tournament. Goal keeper Kyle Bishop earned his 15th shut-out of the season with the Carthage win.

Cassville is 22-4 entering state play-offs, and despite being underdogs, Coach Jamieson seemed confident.

"What do we have to lose now?" Jamieson said. "All the schools in this tournament are loaded, and this is what we are in it for."

Lee's Summit West is 17-6-2 and has played a strong schedule. The large Kansas City area high school defeated Warrensburg to win a district title this past week. The winner of Tuesday's match-up will advance to St. Louis for final four action this weekend.

Cassville has taken soccer from grassroots to an elite level in short order. Jamieson's career record at the helm is 91-43-2 and that includes a district runner-up trophy a year ago.

The Wildcats travel to Nixa for the state playoff match on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Cassville's performance at Carthage is historic. This is the first district title won in the history of the Wildcat soccer program.