By Matt Browning 

The McPherson girls soccer team has the perfect blend of youth and experience, which has led the Bullpups to one of the best records in Class 4-1A this season.

Head coach Chris Adrian has been impressed with how his veterans have embraced the younger, talented players.

“We have several young girls that have come in to the team and have made an instant impact,” Adrian said. “That can create challenges on any team if the unity isn’t strong. The upperclassmen have been so supportive and encouraging for the new girls and you can see it in the confidence they play with.”

A season like this is not new for McPherson, as it has been one of the top teams in Class 4-1A over the past decade. The key to this consistency has been cohesion in the program.

“We graduated a lot of key seniors last year but I knew this team had the players needed to continue to be successful on the field,” Adrian said. “Our JV coach Erin O’Connor does a great job developing talent and the girls are always ready to step up to the varsity level when their time comes. The girls also feel that responsibility to continue being successful and they work really hard in the offseason.”

While the Bullpups graduated four first team all-league players from 2022, there was a core six of players returning that Adrian built around. Ellie Bower, Baylee Simmelink and Kelcie Kynaston were second team all-league selections last season, while Sadie Law, Riggs Kuhn and Ella Buschbom were honorable mention.

“This team has some great young women on it,” Adrian said. “They are amazing examples of what it means to be student athletes. They work extremely hard in the classroom and also in the community.”