Cody Thorn and Drew Aggus
Citizen Staff
Park Hill South fell in their Class 4 state quarterfinal matchup against the Lee’s Summit Tigers, who hosted the match on Saturday, Nov. 16.
It took only 10 minutes for the undefeated Tigers to gain the advantage, as Max Bresette headed the ball in from the edge of the goalie box to put his team up 1-0.
The Tigers were persistent and aggressive, possessing the ball 67% of the first half. But Noah Reuscher was able to stop two of the Tigers’ shots in the first half to take the game to halftime with just a one-goal deficit.
However, in the second half, the Tigers became even more aggressive, controlling the ball for 71% of the second half.
Tigers head coach David Wiebenga credited his team’s defense with their ability to hold on to the ball.
“We try to exploit space in all kinds of areas of the field,” Wiebenga said. “As soon as the attack breaks down, we try to jump the pass. We want the ball right back.”
The Tigers’ defense was so strong, that they did not allow a single shot on goal in the match.
In the 58th minute, Joseph Achugo scored to put the Tigers up 2-0. With the Tigers’ defense playing as well as they had all game, hope started to fade away for the Panthers.
Panthers head coach Christopher Farmer knew that the Tigers would be a strong opponent coming into the match.
DREW AGGUS/Special to the Citizen
Park Hill South’s Jacob Garza, right, tries to stop a kick by Lee’s Summit’s Isaac Nickens during a Class 4 playoff game on Saturday in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
“They’ve got a great attack, and they just keep coming at you; it’s relentless pressure,” Farmer said. “We just tried to minimize the ways that they would receive the ball and how many times they would receive the ball. And at the end of the day, you can only hold them off for so long.”
In the 75th minute, Kam Hahn put the nail in the coffin on a goal from about 20 yards out that bounced off of the top post and into the goal. Both coaches were stunned and impressed by the goal.
The Tigers took a 3-0 lead, which would stand for the last five minutes of the contest, as they returned to the state semifinals for the second consecutive year.
For the Panthers, the state quarterfinals was the farthest that they had made it in three seasons. The last time that they were in this position, this year’s seniors were freshman. Farmer was pleased with their growth over their time on the team.
“They’re good role models for our young guys in terms of their work ethic,” Farmer said. “They have gotten our younger guys in the weight room, which I think has helped. We’re back here because of our senior leadership.”
In the last 15 years, the Panthers have made the state quarterfinals five times but have yet to clear that hurdle – something that Farmer knows his team needs to do and believes it’s something that they can do.
“We know that if we want to get back here and get past this point, then we’ve got to improve,” Farmer said. “As individuals, we’ve got to improve, and as a team, we’ve got to improve.”
Despite the loss, Farmer is as pleased as ever with his team and the way that they fought.
“We could not be more proud of the fact that we’re here,” Farmer said. “Obviously, we would have liked a different result, but it is what it is. I told them to leave it all on the field, and I think they did.”
Park Hill South 5, Staley 0
The Panthers beat the Falcons for the third time this season, besting them in the opening round of the Class 4 playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Park Hill District Soccer Complex in Riverside.
The game was originally slated for Tuesday but was pushed back a day due to forecasted temperatures in the 20s.
The Panthers scored four times in the second half to secure the victory and a return to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2016.
“We haven’t gone that far since my freshman year,” said senior Ty Ross. “There were a lot of doubts when we came into the season but we have worked well as a team and I’m proud of everyone.”
The Panthers led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal in the 9th minute by Mudia Reuben. During the break Ross noted the team learned that Lee’s Summit had beaten Rockhurst and was awaiting the winner of South and Staley on Saturday.
Staley actually led in shots on goal in the first half, 4 to 1, but Noah Reuscher stopped all of the attempts.
In the second half, the tide turned in the other direction with Park Hill South getting four shots on goal and Staley only one. Reuscher made the only attempt by Staley in the second half, in the 55th minute. Cade Meek came in to play the final 15 minutes.
Park Hill South led 4-0 by then. Reuben had goals in the 42nd and 46th minute before Jacob Garza — the hero in the district championship game — scored goals in the 55th and 62nd minute.
“We are all clicking and learning,” Ross said. “The young guys are stepping up. Mudia is doing good and we are finishing our chances. We have been rolling and have been scoring a lot of goals. We need to keep it going.”
Park Hill South beat Staley 3-2 in overtime on Sept. 19 then picked up a 1-0 win double overtime on Oct. 14 to complete the season sweep in Suburban Conference Red Division play.
“Like the old cliché says, it is hard to beat a team three times in one season but I had a good feeling,” Park Hill South coach Chris Farmer said. “We have gotten better the last few weeks and progressed. I had the confidence coming in because we are peaking. It felt right.
“The win feels great and surreal. You look at the bracket, there were 16 teams today and now there are eight.”