SPRINGFIELD — Insane. Surreal. A dream.
These words came to mind when the Kickapoo Chiefs tried to describe last Saturday’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over Smith-Cotton.
“No one thought we could do it and we just fought and kept going,” senior Zac Salyers said.
As their home field was being torn up by bulldozers less than 100 yards away, the soccer team closed out play on the football turf this fall an improbable victory over a team with twice as many wins.
It even drew the attention of Kickapoo alumnus and former MLS standout Jack Jewsbury.
Congrats ???????? Best of luck in the Final 4!! https://t.co/g3YypL3lNo
— Jack Jewsbury (@JewsburyJ) November 5, 2017
The Chiefs are vindicated in taking the underdog mentality into their first final four trip since 2007. They entered district play 10-13 before a 2-0 win over Lebanon. They have since beaten Waynesville, Nixa, and Smith-Cotton, all by a single goal.
Their Class 4 semifinal opponent, Vianney, has seven losses. The other matchup, Rockhurst and Christian Brothers College, sport two teams with a combined five defeats.
“We tested a lot of different starting lineups in the regular season; a new one almost every night,” head coach Phil Hodge said.
Much of this was fueled by the graduation of three first team All-Conference selections, including Most Valuable Player Cole Johnson and co-Offensive Player of the Year Ian Hansen.
Little did the Chiefs know, reinforcements would come all the way from Norway. That is where the Kickapoo goals leader, Vegard Wilhelmsen, come from over the summer as part of a foreign exchange program.
“I was late in the process. They put me randomly so I couldn’t choose where to go,” said Wilhelmsen. “I got a call while I was in school last year and they told me: Springfield, Missouri, so I just came here.”
It has taken the entire fall for him to get used to English as well as the temperature change from the start of the season until now.
Getting acclimated to soccer was no issue.
“I remember the first day he came in, I was stunned an happy to see him at the same time because we definitely didn’t have any height on the team,” senior Deuce Vandaver said.
Wilhelmsen had blossomed from one of many children across his home country to start soccer as a five years old into a 6’5″ forward with a strong I.Q. for the game.
“He had to meet his 14 practices like everybody and then he got a chance to prove himself like the other 40 boys,” said Hodge. “Here we sit and he’s had a great year for us.”
Along with his 13 goals, Wilhelmsen is noticeably one of the most active players on the field, both in speed and enthusiasm.
“Great guy. Always excited and hyping everyone else up,” said Vandaver. “I tell him that he’s lucky that I missed my first eight games of the season otherwise he wouldn’t be top goal scorer at the moment. I probably give him more of a hard time than anybody.”
It’s all in good fun and part of a mentality that Wilhemsen brought to the program immediately.
“Just the players and the spirit around the team… everyone is positive and fun to be around,” he said. “That’s why we do well, I think.”
Friday marks the first and only high school state semifinal in which Wilhelmsen will compete. There are no varsity sports in Norwegian schools, so boys his age play on club teams. The entire population is 5.2 millions, roughly 83 percent of that of Missouri.
In those terms, this is on the scale of a national championship back home.
“We knew we had a chance to do it and I’m very thankful we’re here.”
