Boys’ Soccer Wins KA-MO Tournament

Photo by Elizabeth Anderson

After three wins last weekend, the boys’ soccer team has once again taken the first place trophy in the annual KA-MO (Kansas Missouri) tournament held at Blue Valley Northwest last week.

“In 2015, I thought the boys did really well,” head coach Jamie Kelly said. “We had lost the first game of the season to a West team we should have beaten. So to bounce back [this season] and win the tournament, coming from behind twice in two games, was pretty special.”

Last weekend, the boys competed against Topeka High School, Blue Valley and Lee Summit North. Leading to the championship game, the boys defeated Topeka High with a score of 9-0 and Blue Valley 1-0. In the final, the boys once again defeated Lee Summit North 3-1, with goals scored by seniors Clayton Phillips, Grayson Rapp and Oliver Bihuniak, who scored the final goal. According to Bihuniak, Lee Summit North was the most challenging team they faced.

“I think that it will help our confidence knowing that we can beat quality teams like Lee Summit North,” Bihuniak said. “It can help us transition from the off season to having a good season.”

The soccer tournament is placed at the beginning of the year in hopes of figuring out weaknesses before the boys get into regular season play.
“It shows us what we need to work on,” junior Tommy Nelson said. “Our offense is pretty strong this year, and I think our defense will get better, they just don’t have the experience yet.”