By Brad Hallier

VYPE Kansas Editor In Chief

The three area soccer teams saw improvement from last season.

But that was the case for most of the Class 5A girls soccer teams on the western side of the state. As such, 5A west was a minefield come regional play and the state quarterfinals.

For example, Kapaun Mount Carmel shared the City League championship, along with Bishop Carroll, which finished tied for third in 5A. The only team to beat Bishop Carroll before state? Kapaun.

McPherson lost just one regular-season game, which came in a 2-1 setback to Maize South in the early-season McPherson Invitational. But in order to win another regional championship, McPherson had to beat Kapaun in the championship game. McPherson did, rolling to a 4-0 win, but then the quarterfinal showdown wasn’t any easier, as once-beaten Valley Center came to town.

Valley Center became the only team to shutout McPherson, in a 1-0 game, as the Hornets also tied for third place.

With all-state players like Kenzee Godwin and Claire Hedlund returning, the Bullpups should continue to produce some of the area’s most exciting soccer.

Salina South experienced growth under first-year coach Trey Crow. Crow was named co-AVCTL Division 1 coach of the year, as the Cougars went 9-7 in the regular season. And yet, due to the depth in 5A, South was seeded just No. 10, which didn’t even garner a home game.

The young Cougars played well, however, in a 2-1 loss to Kapaun.

Salina Central also experienced rapid growth. The Mustangs, who also had a young team, won the early-season Titan Classic and won eight games, a six-win improvement fro 2018.