6/29/24
FC Bartlesville beat Arkansas Wolves 2:0 to Win its First Conference Title
"Even though we just started this club, we aspire to win the conference and compete with the best teams in the nation" were the first words Head Coach Luka Milicevic said to all players who attended tryouts.
Fast forward to June 29 and the Buffaloes were competing in the conference finals against Arkansas Wolves. The 2 teams faced each other twice previously and they both got a win each. FC Bartlesville won the game against Wolves in Arkansas (2:1), and the Wolves just recently won in Bartlesville (3:1). That win crowned the Wolves as the Regular Season Champions.
The Final game was intense from the get-go. FC Bartlesville were in control in what many would describe as hard conditions to play. The field was hard and bouncy which never helps any team that tries to play from the ground.
FC Bartlesville got ahead after a corner kick from the left side. The ball was punched by the goalkeeper but landed right on Kirill Pakhomov's head and bounced straight to the Captain, Ivan Ristić who was calm enough to place the ball in the net.
Ivan Ristić's goal that gave the Buffaloes 1-0 lead.
Both teams went on to create a few chances. Iker Gonzalez who was in goal for FC Bartlesville had an incredible save after a shot from outside of the box. On the other side, Perica Obradovic had the best opportunity to give the Buffaloes a 2:0 lead but his shot went wide. The half-time score remained 1:0 in favor of FC Bartlesville.
Wolves came out strong in the second half creating most of the chances but without success. FC Bartlesville was able to capitalize after Simeon Adair dribbled the ball down the line and took the shot that was blocked but ended with Brandon O'Rourke who chipped the ball to Perica Obradovic. Perica was all alone at the 6-yard box and was able to pass the ball into the net to increase the lead to 2:0.
Perica's goal to extend the lead.
Buffaloes were defending well and clinched the conference title for the first time in as many tries.
"This is a historic achievement and I am so happy to play alongside the players who committed to the idea of playing for a club that just started existing", said Perica Obradović. He added "we want to celebrate this moment but also focus on the national tournament that starts next weekend".
FC Bartlesville will travel to Carrollton, TX to face Foro SC in the opening round of the National Tournament. The game is scheduled for Saturday, July 6th with a 7:30 p.m. kick-off. The game will be streamed on Foro SC Youtube Channel.
Trophy Ceremony