Park Hill South girls soccer looks like a contender

Two losses to Truman, one of which was in the middle of a four game losing streak last year, made the difference between what was a second place conference finish for the Park Hill South girls soccer team and a conference title last year. Not only do the Panthers have their sights set on winning that conference title in 2011, but they’re also keeping an eye on Northland rival Liberty as they hope to have the opportunity to avenge a season ending loss in the district championship last year with a late season matchup and possibly again in the state playoffs. No, the Panthers are not looking too far ahead, but with eight all-conference selections returning from a 15-7 season last year, it’s easy to see how they have established high goals this season.

“We have a lot of talent returning,” Coach Joe Toigo said.

First teamers Haley Shelton, Katie Riojas, and Emmy Hanlon put three pillars to build around on each third of the field. Riojas and Hanlon accounted for over a third of the Panthers scoring last season with 29 goals. Second teamers Katy Lindsey, Courtney Claasen, and goalkeeper Alexis Mikulich surround them and combined for another 10 goals last season. Lindsey led the team with 15 assists in 2010 while Mikulich recorded six shutouts. Honorable mentions Allie Roy and Mackenzie Williams also return for the Panthers.

With such a strong core group returning, Toigo believes his team will compete with some of the top teams in the metro this season. Knowing your team has talent is one thing; taking advantage of it is another. Their coach emphasized improving in games throughout the season, even against lesser opponents, in order to be ready when it’s time to play for higher stakes.

“The adjustment that has to be made is how you play when you are not controlling the majority of the play, and territory,” Toigo said. “Most of our season we are not in the situation of defending for the majority of the game.”

Due to re-districting, Park Hill South will not face Liberty in district play, but they are scheduled to face-off in the last regular season game April 29th and if things work to their advantage a sectional state playoff game. The two Northland teams are familiar with each other as the players have been competing with and against each other since childhood. While the Panthers have some talented players likely to extend their careers into college, Toigo says Liberty has players who have already been offered roster spots at Division I programs. Differing from what they will likely see during most of the regular season, the Panthers could be more on the defensive in a handful of games against opponents like Liberty and they believe how they play then is what will define their season.

“If they score on us, we've got to be able to turn it around real quick and strike back,” Toigo said of answering opposing team goals.

The Panthers kick-off their season with a pair of games against Springfield area teams Kickapoo and Ozak followed by a challenging appearance in the Olathe Northwest Invitational the last week of March.