On a rainy night, the boys soccer team’s season came to an end after a 3-0 loss against top seeded Shawnee Mission East in the quarterfinal game of the playoffs at the Shawnee Mission Soccer Complex Monday, Nov. 5. They finished the season with a 9-9 record.
The Jags fought hard, with the score being tied 0-0 at half. However, SME managed to score quickly twice coming out of the second half off a cross and a shot from inside the box, putting the Jags down 2-0. The team continued to fight, but ultimately fell short after SME managed to score another goal late in the half.
Senior Kai Burford believed the team had a good first half, but could not keep up with SME in the second half.
“I think it went well in the first half, but then in the second half, we kind of got broken down and they started playing better soccer than us,” Burford said. “I think we defended well and had good service off of set pieces but we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”
The team went into this game with a lot of momentum after winning their first two playoff games which included a regional championship against Olathe North. Looking back on the season, Burford was proud that the team had found success in the playoffs despite a tough regular season in which they finished 7-8.
“We had a lot of ups and downs, but I’m proud of the way we finished the season by bringing home a regional championship which was the first trophy in two years,” Burford said.
Similarly, senior Drew Enloe was glad that the team had found success in his last year.
“I am proud that we won regionals and made it to the quarter finals when everyone doubted us just because we had a bad regular season,” Enloe said. “I will miss working with my teammates and coaches. They are all great people who give their all to win.”
