BOYS SOCCER PREVIEW: Park Hill aims to continue postseason success

Two consecutive trips to the state quarterfinals will be quite a performance to match for the 2011 Park Hill boys soccer team, but that’s exactly what they’ve got their eyes set on in additional to defending their conference and district titles. While the Trojans loss one of their most successful senior classes in school history, the cub board is not completely bare as they return a handful of starters and players with significant playing time.

Defender Devon Belew and midfielder Parker Melott serve as Park Hill’s only returning starters. They’ll be joined by defender Fernando Garcia, midfielder Neal Sampson, forward Matt Russell, midfielder Keaton Anchors, Cain Winebrenner, and first year varsity goalkeeper Mason Fannin.

Head coach Dustin Sollars says he’s excited about the talent he has coming back and that this year’s team will find its strength on defense compared to the high powered offensive teams he’s had in recent years.

“Our strength is definitely going to be on defense. We’ve got three guys out of our back four who have been on varsity their whole careers. So that is exciting,” Sollars said. “But at the same time, we’ve got a first year varsity goal keeper. I think he has a talented group in front of him though.”

One thing the Trojans will need to develop more is the mental portion of the game that last year’s team had been able to build on through their tested experience. An adjustment Sollars says will be important to the team is the transformation of last year’s role players into this year’s key contributors.

“We’re expecting people to step up and be leaders of this team, and before this, they’ve never had that responsibility. Until now they’ve been able to follow others and just play a role. Now our role players are becoming leaders, captains, great contributors. If they can handle it, we’ll be good. If they can’t, we’ll struggle,” Sollars said.

Even as two-time defending conference champs, Park Hill will have their eyes set on Lee’s Summit West and Truman if they want to successfully repeat. While the Trojans won’t have as decorated a team as they have in the past, one area to track throughout the season is the team’s ability to rebound from potential setbacks. A tough schedule awaits them starting with the Olathe Invite followed by tough matchups along the way that include a two-game road trip to Springfield, the Park Hill South Panther Classic, and Rockhurst. Capitalizing on a strong defense, they hope that even with one or two goals a game, 2011 could be another winner.

“If we can make sure we hold opponents to a few, if any goals, we have a great chance to be successful,” Sollars said.