Hidden strength: Deep bench has helped PH South soccer team deal with injuries

Injuries are often a four-letter word to most coaches that can change the momentum of a promising season. But for Park Hill South, who came into the season with a strong and talented group of returning seniors, the handful of injuries they’ve suffered in the early season has allowed them to discover the extent to which their depth lies. That depth is something Coach Joe Toigo and his Panthers will undoubtedly be able to use towards their advantage as they head into the heart of their conference schedule.

“We’re a little beat up right now with a few injuries. Other kids are stepping up though, and getting some playing time,” Toigo said. “Our depth is helping us out. Our younger kids are getting more minutes than we thought and they’re getting better.

One example of this comes by way of senior Haley Shelton, a star defender for the Panthers, who suffered an injury earlier in the season before coming back to the lineup last week. In her absence, Toigo noticed the development of a strong playing chemistry between Ashton Anderson and Alysa Guzman in the back field. Not wanting to disturb that balance, Toigo asked Shelton to play up front as an attacker, something she had not done previously in her high school career. The results have been positive.

“We’ve always had her (Shelton) in the back to help us out, but we didn’t want to mess with the chemistry those other two had developed, so we asked Haley to be an attacker,” Toigo said. “Turns out she is a player that can attack, but we’d never asked her to. Ashton and Alysa have nailed down the center back positions. Now we’re using more of Haley’s talents in other places.”

Attacking is exactly what the Panthers have been doing most of the season as they’ve put together a 5-1 start outscoring opponents 34-9 including two shutouts last week against Raytown South (2-0) and Winnetonka (10-0). Their lone loss came in the opening week of the season to Olathe East 8-4.

“Scored four goals and lost, that doesn’t happen very much. We’ve given up eight goals all season, those were it,” Toigo said.

While the Panthers did finally give up another goal to Fort Osage to end last week, it wasn’t enough to overcome Park Hill South as they rolled 4-1. Courtney Claassen (10), Abbey Johnson (4), Katie Riojas (5), and Shay Jackson (5) have led the offense in goals this year against teams mostly focused on overloading their defense in hopes of keeping the Panthers at bay.

“Most teams we play will probably keep six to seven players back and they don’t come up, they stay back.” Toigo said. “We’ll see that most of the season.”

The Panthers were playing undefeated Raytown as The Citizen went to print Tuesday night, but a win would put Park Hill South ahead in the conference and give them momentum moving forward.

“If we take care of business this week, we’re in the driver’s seat for conference,” Toigo said.

They play at William Chrisman Friday night.