The Western Nebraska Community College men’s soccer team made their first-ever trip to the national tournament after winning the Region IX tournament in November.
                A month later, Eduardo Oliveira made history as being the first men’s soccer player to be a NJCAA Division I All-American.
                Oliveira was placed on the Third Team and was the only Region IX player to make All-American.
                “It means a lot to me because I know how hard I worked and how much effort I put in to achieve this,” Oliveira said. “So, it's very gratifying to see that I was named an All-American. It makes me very happy and even more motivated to keep improving.”
                The Cougars finished the season at 10-6-2 and competed well against the two teams in their pool at the national tournament. The Cougars fell to last year’s national champion Tyler Junior College 3-1 and then lost to Indian Hills Community College 2-0.
Oliveira said competing at the national tournament was an amazing experience and the team played hard.
“Playing in the national tournament was a unique experience,” he said. “I know we only played two games, but they were two very difficult games where we had a chance to win but unfortunately, we didn't. But the experience was incredible. I hope to have more of this experience in my life.”
                In total, 33 players earned All-American status. Oliveira was the only Region IX player on the team. Most of the players on the team competed in the NJCAA national tournament. Iowa Western, who won the national tournament, led the way with three recipients as Ajmal Tesilimi was on the first team followed by Florentino Junior and Takumi Kumakura on the second team.
                Other First Team selections included Miami Dade’s Facundo Ochoa, Daytona State’s Hector Moreno, Indian Hill’s  Daniel Mulero, Tyler’s Carlo Romberg and Joe Pollard, Harcum’s Zsombor Pall, Murray State’s Ryosuke Miyate, Cowley’s Kanta Ishi, Arizona Western’s Esteban Gonzalez, and Salt Lake’s Igor Goncalves.
                Second Team members include Murray State’s Alexis Lopez, Cowley’s Shogo Haraikawa and Kohsuke Fukudome, Miami Dade’s Edoardo Duchini, Indian Hills’ Lucas Bauer; North Idaho’s Ismael Mane, Coastal Bend’s Yahel Paramo, Tyler’s Ljubo Popovic, and Arizona Western’s Esteban Gonzalez.
                Joining Oliveira on the Third Team include Mohave’s Luis Mario Medina, Western Texas’ Ruben Roy Ekue Kuevi, Snow College’s Jack Cook, Harford’s Rex Pearce, Southwestern Illinois’ Maquan Aldridge, Eastern Florida State’s Luc Achermann-Stanfield, Murray State’s Gui Alves, Cowley’s Takeru Chiba, Harcum’s Touhami Bel-Hadj, and Miami Dade’s Samuel Cavo.
                For Oliveira, he finished the year with 13 goals and five assists. He finishes his WNCC career with 22 total goals, which makes him one of five players to collect over 20 goals in his career.
                “This season, I can say, was one of the best of my life as an individual,” he said. “I was able to be crucial in helping my team in every game and thus make history at WNCC.”
                Oliveira spent three years at WNCC redshirting two years ago. Last year, he managed just nine goals and then added 13 this year. Oliveira said he got better each year and now starts the hard part, finding where his next college will be.
                “I think each year I have improved a lot because I knew my potential and I went from not playing in my 1st year because of an Injury to being MVP and champion in my third year,” the forward from Brazil said. “So, I think I have improved a lot.”
                Now begins Oliveira’s tough semester as he decides his future, which will include soccer. He also will be leaving an area that of Nebraska where he calls home when he graduates in May from WNCC.
                “The decision of choosing a place to go next year is very difficult,” he said. “I think the hardest part, to be honest, I have to think about everything if I like the place, if the coaches will trust me, if the weather is good, so there are a lot of things to think about. But I am still looking for the best place for me.”
                His loyalty to the area is obvious as he became a mentor to young ones, who would want to play soccer with him after games and he was a mentor to them. That is why Nebraska and Wyoming has became a special place for him.
                “It means a lot to me to be a mentor to young fans, especially Jade's (Brothwell) nieces and nephews,” he said. “I remember being their age and looking up to players who inspired me to dream big and work hard. Seeing their excitement and knowing I can have that kind of positive influence on them motivates me even more.
                “I think it (WyoBraska area) is very special because these two places changed my life,” he said. “I was very happy here and these two places will always be in my heart.”
                His time in the area is one that he will remember and he has so many thanks for his soccer playing times.
                “I just want to say thanks to my teammates who helped me during the season, my coaches who always believed in me, without them, I wouldn't be able to achieve anything I've achieved,” he said.