The first season for the FC Bartlesville Buffaloes was nothing short of extraordinary. After a brief period of adaptation, the team found their rhythm and became an unstoppable force on the field. What began as a group of friends wanting to play at a higher level turned into a phenomenal success story, with fun and enjoyment being the keys to their triumph, and winning games being the cherry on top.
No player wants to lose, especially in soccer, and the Buffaloes recruited players with a competitive mindset. This drive propelled them to the Elite 8 in the UPSL league. Initially, the team struggled with substitutions, but as the season progressed, they continued to recruit talent that made a significant difference. The blend of mature and young players, along with strategic positioning, was fundamental to their success.
The Buffaloes faced challenges, such as losing players to injuries, including their leading scorer Filip Maksimovic before the playoffs. However, they managed to adapt, with Cristobal Golberg feeding crosses to Uros Rosic and Brandon O'Rourke to compensate for Filip's attacking contributions.
Team Captain Ivan Ristic reflected on the season:
"Overall, I think it was a great season. We didn't expect to get to the quarterfinals in our first season. We are looking to build on this and add a stronger squad next year! Winning the conference was a huge accomplishment."
Coach Luka Milicevic, handpicked by the Buffaloes' ownership, brought his dual experience as a coach and player to the team:
"To achieve success, we need to set realistic yet aspiring goals. Going into this project, we knew we could recruit well and compete for the conference title. Our form improved with every game, and the three scrimmages before the season helped us identify key personnel and formations. The biggest challenge was maintaining consistent numbers due to the UPSL season starting while college was still in session. Despite starting shaky, winning only one of our first three conference games, we found our stride and made significant progress."
Coach Milicevic highlighted three critical games:
Conference Semi-Final Against River Valley Bully’s: Down 2-1 until the 92nd minute, the team tied the game and won 3-2 in overtime.
Conference Final Against Wolves: A disciplined 2-0 victory showcased the team's confidence.
Top 32 Round Against Foro SC: Despite Foro FC's earlier victory over Austin FC II in the US Open Cup, the Buffaloes secured a 3-1 win.
The Buffaloes faced a strong Dodge City Toros in the national tournament, missing five starters, which impacted their performance. However, individual players like Captain Ivan Ristic (played every game), Filip Maksimovic (12 goals in 7 appearances), Uros Rosic (5 playoff goals), Kirill Pakhomov (great leader), and Simeon Adair (youngest player) made significant contributions throughout the season.
Coach Milicevic emphasized areas of improvement:
"The main areas to improve are off the field, focusing on early recruiting to ensure solid numbers for practices and games. On-field improvements depend on next year's roster, so it's premature to discuss specifics."
The Buffaloes received immense support from the community, putting Bartlesville on the national stage. The team's success and community engagement, including free clinics attended by over 100 kids, were heartwarming.
Perica Obradovic added:
"It has been an incredible first year for FC Bartlesville Buffaloes. We aimed to improve the soccer culture in our community and provide better opportunities for youth development. Winning the OK/AR conference and reaching the Central Regional Finals exceeded our expectations. The community's support, including contributions from sponsors like Truity Credit Union and ARG Concrete, was invaluable. We are excited to continue growing and aim for the National Championship Title next year."
With a remarkable first season behind them, the FC Bartlesville Buffaloes are already looking ahead, eager to build on their success and bring even more glory to Bartlesville in the seasons to come.
