By Kyle Troutman

It has been six years since the Cassville boys soccer team has won its home tournament.

This year is different.

After a 4-1 win over Aurora and 2-0 victory over McDonald County, the Wildcats (2-0-1) erased a 1-goal deficit in the second half to produce a 2-2 draw with New Covenant Academy, resulting in the teams sharing the tourney title.

Jake Forste, Cassville soccer coach, said after the long wait, lifting the trophy was extra satisfying.

“You can imagine how it feels for five years to watch other teams come in and win your tournament,” he said. “We had an inkling this would be our year, and we stepped out and proved everything we intend to be this fall.”

The tournament operates on a round robin, 10-point system. Teams get 6 points for a win, 3 points for a draw, 1 point for each goal up to 3, and 1 point for a shutout. Cassville and New Covenant entered Saturday’s contest with 18 points each, as the Warriors beat McDonald County 1-0 and Aurora 4-0.

After the 2-2 draw Saturday, both teams finished with 23 points.

“I think we set some ambitious goals before the season, but these guys know they can play with anyone,” Forste said. “It doesn’t matter what class size or if they are public or private, we can play with anyone. Our confidence is high, and the way we are defending and finishing, and we have an All-State goalkeeper — things are looking good.”

Cassville was led by junior winger Ashton Wheeler, co-MVP of the tournament with 3 goals and 2 assists. Two of his three came in the New Covenant contest, and both when the Wildcats were trailing.

“For Ashton to get both goals Saturday was a truly MVP performance,” Forste said. “And both were when we were behind and really needing them. He had 7-8 shots in that game, and all we on target and forced a save. He was precision-like.”

Three other Wildcats received All-Tournament Team recognitions. Senior Nic Sanders and sophomore Brody Osborne provided a goal and an assist each, and senior Peter Littlefield made 26 saves and had a 1.00 goals against average.

“We’ve been wanting to rely less and less on Pete, so him being under 10 saves per game says our defense is doing its job,” Forste said. “Brody was just a pest as our center forward, chasing after balls and slide tackling other teams’ center backs. Nic and Ashton really exploited the other teams’ fullback on the wings, too.”

Cassville hosted Hillcrest on Tuesday, picking up a 2-1 walk-off win in the second half of overtime on a Wheeler assist to Sanders. The Wildcats play in the Warrior Soccer Classic on Thursday, Friday and Saturday against Fair Grove, Marshfield and — again — New Covenant.

The full All-Tournament Team includes:

Larson Briggs, Aurora

Isaac Abney, Aurora

Peter Littlefield, Cassville

Brody Osborne, Cassville

Nic Sanders, Cassville

Ashton Wheeler, Cassville, co-MVP

Antonio Delacruz, Mac County

Giovanni Gonzalez, Mac County

Dalton Anderson, NCA

Grayson Bartlotti, NCA

Seth Smothers, NCA

Zane Winslow, NCA, co-MVP