FALL PREVIEW: Park Hill South Boys Soccer

With 16 seniors returning for the Park Hill South boys soccer team from last year's 16-9-1 season, Coach Joe Toigo believes it has the potential to be a rewarding 2012 season.

"These guys have a chance to have a great season," Toigo said. "We had our ups and downs last year as a fairly young team, but we're ready to build off of that this year."

The Panthers return almost 90% of their total goals from last season including five players that produced eight or more with seniors Brody Bouillon (14 goals), Alex Weatherly (10), and Adam Weatherly (9) as well as juniors Jordan Lindsey (12) and Josh Hall (8). While Park Hill South features a strong offensive lineup, they feature a well-balanced team and have players at every position that have proven they can score when needed, but defend as well. Seniors returning with significant varsity playing time on defense last year include Nick Smith, Chris Blevins, and Josh Hunt.

“We’re probably more offensive than defensive right now, but we’re working on it,” Toigo said. “We have quality players on both sides of the field though.”

Heath Turner hopes to build on his 10.5 shutouts in 21 games at goalie last year with the help of Marc DeJesus who adds capable depth at the position. Others who will be in the mix at various positions include seniors Andrew Gonzales, Brian Kissee, and Jack Summa.

"With a young team last year, I think the mental part of the game was something we struggled with," Toigo said. "Coming back this year, I'm seeing a higher level of maturity to handle some of those situations better."

Strong, senior-laden teams are what successful high school teams can use as a foundation, so the talent level the Panthers will have on the field in 2012 certainly comes with high expectations. Coming off a winning season gives the team that much more motivation to fulfill their goal of making a run at the state playoffs.

The road to the postseason is likely to go through three-time district champion Park Hill who has ended Park Hill South's season each of the last three years by handing them a defeat in district tournament play, two times of which were in district title games. With conference realignment, the two teams will play twice in league play which will give both sides a familiarity with each other should they meet in district play again.

Early season participation against some of the area’s toughest competition will prepare them well as the Panthers kick the season off at the Olathe Invitational on August 24th followed up the next weekend with play in the Blue Valley North Invitational.