The Park Hill South boys’ soccer team is looking to surpass the 11-win barrier after finishing 11-9 in two consecutive seasons.
With six seniors, including returning starters Ronnie Powell and T.J. Rouse, the Panthers will look to some upperclassmen this fall for leadership. Tyler Dansby, Aidan McCauley, Ryan Murray and Will Warren were all starters in 2021.
“We are focusing on the concept of what it means to be part of a team, team chemistry and culture,” Park Hill South head boys’ soccer coach Christopher Farmer said. “We have a lot of young players who are willing to accept their role within the team.”
Park Hill South’s Quinlan McNellis led the Panthers in goals scored, with six, last year.
Junior Lucas Smith and Isaiah Mesa were starters last season as Smith made the second team in the Class 4 District 8 Tournament. The Panthers’ main goal scorers coming back from last season are Quinlan McNellis, Devin Crane and Rouse.
“I think we will be a balanced team which is more offensive-minded; we have impact players on every part of the field. We have some younger players who we expect to add to our scoring,” Farmer said.
Rouse made the all-conference first team, while Crane and McNellis – who led Park Hill South with six goals scored – were Red Division Honorable Mentions. Tyler Dansby, Aidan McCauley, Ryan Murray and Will Warren are the other seniors.
“We have six seniors, and several have stepped up as leaders, but we are focusing on bringing out the leader in each of our players. Our goals for this year are to improve individually, and as a team, win districts and make a deep playoff run,” Farmer said.
Park Hill South had a slow start last season, losing five of its first six games before rattling off six straight victories and eventually ending the season with a winning record. The Panthers struggled in one-score contests, with five of their nine losses being by one goal.
“We need to win close games. So many of our games over the past two years have been by one goal, so we need to control the outcome of the game by controlling the pace of the game,” Farmer said.