It's time to put a wrap on the 2015 boys' high school soccer season with our final power rankings.
1. Nixa (25-3, C4, PR: 1) – It was a disappointing end for the Eagles, but Nixa still had its best season in program history and was the only local team to make it to state. The Eagles can look back on a signature game – and moment – to their season: the Nov. 7 quarterfinal game against Lee’s Summit, in which Parker Crawford scored a golden goal to send the Eagles to state. Before that, Nixa had close wins over Central and Kickapoo to advance. Nixa has a lot of postseason honors coming its way, and will probably have multiple all-state selections. Nixa graduates five seniors, including three starters in Joey Clem, Trustin Baker and Peyton Gerkin, but the Eagles should be pretty good again next year. They have a lot of sophomores and juniors coming back who saw extensive action this season.
2. Glendale (18-9, C3, PR: 2) – The Falcons were cut short in their quest for a third straight state appearance, falling 3-1 at Helias Catholic in the Class 3 quarterfinals last Saturday. As Glendale coach Jeff Rogers put it, Helias was hungry to avenge a quarterfinal loss to the Falcons from last season. The Falcons were hoping to ride the momentum they gained from beating Carthage in the sectional round, a 6-2 outcome that marked Glendale’s highest goal total against a non-conference opponent this season. Glendale graduates a 12-player senior class, including Class 3 Southwest-Central Region Goalkeeper of the Year Nicholas Lantz and Co-Offensive Player of the Year Bobby Spence (F), but the Falcons have good pieces set to return in Sean Perryman, Josh Call and Cole Eise as they chase a 20th district championship in 2016.
3. Monett (22-5, C2, PR: 5) – The best season in Cubs’ history ended with a 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Southern Boone on Oct. 31. Monett’s signature win of the season came four days earlier, as it finally got past nemesis Catholic in the sectional round. A productive, six-player senior class graduates, but between Carolos Izaguirre and leading scorer Jason Puente, as well as some promising classes coming through the ranks, the Cubs’ program is set up for a strong run over the next 3-5 seasons. This year alone, Monett set program records for wins (22), goals scored (121). Puente scored a school-record 41 goals.
4. Carthage (18-9, C3, PR: 3) – The Tigers are closing in a decade’s run of soccer success. The Tigers won their eighth straight district championship last month, before losing 6-2 to Glendale in the sectional round. Carthage should be a contender next season, with a relatively small senior class graduating (although it includes likely three-time all-stater Hector Marin). Carthage returns about two-thirds of its lineup, led by junior-to-be Elder Reyes (MF/F).
5. Kickapoo (18-6-1, C4, PR: 7) – Another tough postseason loss to take for the Chiefs. Kickapoo played Nixa to a PK loss in the Class 4, District 10 title match on Oct. 28. This coming after Nixa beat the Chiefs 4-1 in the regular season. Kickapoo got off to a sluggish start this season but clearly improved as much as any team in the area as the season progressed. An OT loss to Chaminade and a 2-0 loss to CBC doesn’t look awful on the resume. Next season, the Chiefs will look to end a string of heartbreaking, postseason losses and get over the state “hump.” Since 2010, here’s how Kickapoo’s soccer seasons have ended: 1-0, 2-OT loss to Glendale in district finals (2010), 2-1, 2-OT loss to Glendale in district finals (2011), 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Rock Bridge (2012), 2-1 OT loss to Joplin in district finals (2013) and 1-0 quarterfinal loss to eventual state champ Lee’s Summit (2014). A few bounces here or there…
6. Catholic (17-9, C2, PR: 2) – The Irish’s string of Final Four appearances ended at 7 with a loss to Monett in the Class 2 sectional round. Ethan Schroeder, Ben Rash and Anthony Gomez will be key losses for Catholic, but the Irish had a lot of underclassmen playing meaningful roles this season and should bring back a large senior class for 2016.
7. Laquey (16-5, C1, PR: 5) – The Hornets nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the state playoffs, falling 1-0 to Class 1 power Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals Oct. 31. Laquey had its chances in the match, but fell in OT on a goal by the Gremlins’ Francisco Rojas Zankys. Laquey graduates seven seniors, but don’t expect the Hornets to go away in 2016. Coach Tyler Sevon’s squad had a promising freshmen class this season and returns several key contributors, including: Tristan Gan (14 goals as a sophomore, second on LHS), Hunter Powers (8 assists, defender), Caden Powers and Brandon MacDonald (9 goals, 6 assists).
8. College Heights Christian (18-8, C2, PR: 8) – The Cougars’ season was already over by the time our previous soccer rankings came out. Like I said then, CHC was just a step behind the likes of Monett and Catholic this season, but the Cougars should be pretty good again in 2016.
9. Greenwood (12-12, C1, PR: Unranked) – That double-overtime loss to Laquey in the district finals doesn’t look that bad now, considering how the Hornets went on and nearly beat No. 2-ranked Sacred Heart in their next game. Only two of Greenwood’s 12 losses were to fellow Class 1 schools: Laquey and Sacred Heart. The Blue Jays graduate 7 seniors, with Matt Rowe and Gavin Litherland among the notable starting spots to fill.
10. Ozark (16-8, C4, PR: 10) – It was a disappointing end to an otherwise solid season for Ozark. Late-season losses to Park Hill (2-0) and Lee’s Summit (5-0) were followed by a 4-1 loss to Kickapoo in the district opener. When it was at full strength, Ozark played with the best of the best locally: Nixa, Kickapoo, Glendale and Carthage. Coach Tom Davidson will have to rework his lineup next year, as the Tigers not only graduate forward Mason Shelor, but also a tested back row/midfielder group consisting of Bailey Williams, Perry Spinabella, Eli Gonzalez, Jared Estrada and GK Alex Kennetz.
