Nixa’s junior class this season was an exceptionally large 10-player class that featured both quantity and quality. They arrived as immediate-impact freshmen a couple years ago and helped the Eagles claim a District championship as sophomores a year ago.
They’re expecting much more out of their senior season.
“I think we’ll probably have one of the best teams in Nixa’s soccer history next year,” defender Kaleb James said. “We’re going to hopefully bring home a state title.”
“They have it in them to do something special,” said coach Evan Palmer, who has led Nixa to two Final Four berths during his career as the program’s only head coach.
Juniors were all over the field for Nixa this year, as the Eagles finished 14-9 overall and 6-3 in the COC. They were ousted in the Class 4 District 5 semifinal round last week.
Forward Andrew Butler feels it will be critical for Nixa to maintain the same mindset each match next season. This season, the Eagles were prone to being upset. They fell to Republic 2-0 with a chance to share the COC championship on the line. Also, Nixa bowed to Carthage 2-1 in overtime at Districts two weeks after beating the same Tigers 9-1.
“We’re going to have pretty high expectations next year,” Butler said. “But in high school soccer and especially where we live, everyone can win. We will have to come to every game thinking anyone can win.”
In addition to James and Butler, juniors who played prominent roles were goalkeeper Logan Elmer, midfielders Presley Sundy, Carson Palmer, Colin Cash, Zach Voelker, forwards Corey Kemp and Zach Naugle and defender Seth Weatherfield.
“We’ve got one more year left with them,” Palmer said. “Not making it to the (District) final this year is really disappointing. I feel bad for the seniors that they don’t get to move on. The juniors get another chance.”
The Eagles vow to make the most of it by preparing themselves for their final go-around with a strenuous off-season. They know they have to pack on muscle after being manhandled by a more physical Kickapoo team in September. The Chiefs ended up winning the Class 4 District 3 championship.
“I think there will be motivation in the off-season, especially for us who have only one more season,” Butler said. “We know we’ve got to make this one count.”
“I’ve told them we’ll see how serious they are with their attendance at the off-season workouts,” Evan Palmer said. “When it’s December and January and it’s cold outside and not much fun, we’ll see who really wants it.
“We’ll give them a few weeks off and then after Thanksgiving start hitting it hard with a couple days a week in the weight room,” he added. “Hopefully, we can get bigger, stronger and faster.”
