PARKVILLE – The hype for the girls’ soccer season is high at Park Hill South, and deservingly so after accumulating 44 victories over the last three springs.
Park Hill South’s Makenzie Wright is one of the eight returning starting seniors.
Having nearly the same lineup as last year’s squad that won 10 straight games to open the season and reached the Class 4 District 8 Championship, Park Hill South has set the bar high. A loaded senior class of 10 – eight of which are returning starters – speaks for itself, not to mention Savanna Pittman, Sarah Listrom and Lily DiBernardo who also started last year.
“This feels like season two of a great show,” Park Hill South head girls’ soccer coach Jared Byrne said. “You already know the majority of the characters, and yet there are a few new additions that are going to really take it to the next level.”
This senior class has been special, building the program to where it is today. Park Hill South has been to a district championship in two of the last three seasons and never won less than 14 games while these 10 players have been in high school.
“We have a majority of the team coming back this year, so the groundwork has been laid. We have an absolutely great group of girls on and off the field. They are committed, focused and excited to work,” Byrne said.
The Lady Panthers have a talented group of forwards led by the senior combo of Olivia Clemons and Anna Bolger. Freshman Aubrey Bryant joins the junior trio of Arianna Perschau, Gabe Weith and DiBernardo to fill out the deep position.
“We have some quality players up top and through the midfield. We’ll see what the rotation looks like as we get going,” Byrne said.
Grace Leak and Makenzie Wright are two more senior names to look out for, being midfielders. Lauren Dittmer, Mya Quarles, Lilly Reuscher, Peyton Goins and goalkeeper Kayla Thompson make up the defense and bring senior leadership.
“I have no doubt we’ll have a successful season, regardless of how we finish. We’ll have our struggles and our joys, but ultimately, we’ll embrace it and get better because of it. We focus on the process over focusing on the results and use the season as practice, so we’re prepared for the playoffs,” Byrne said.