Kernels' season ends with 4-0 playoff loss

The Mitchell High School girls’ soccer team ended its season with a 4-0 loss to St. Thomas More Saturday in Rapid City in state playoff competition.

Despite falling in the first round of the playoffs, MHS coach Ryan Perry said the Kernels sent a message about the strength of their program.

St. Thomas More was held scoreless for the first 25 minutes of the playoff match and the two teams battled all day for a state tournament berth.

“We didn’t get a win, but I like to think that we walked out with some respect,” Perry said.

“We’re not quite there yet, but Mitchell’s on the verge of being able to compete with teams that we haven’t in the past.”

The Kernels sent out a young squad this season and finished the year with a 2-7-1 mark. Perry said the team expects to win at least five games when it returns to action next year, despite losing six seniors to graduation including the team’s top scorer Megan Roth. Other seniors on the team included Kassondra Ptak, Kelsey Dice, Katie Sanderson, Morgan Meyer and Kristina Sanderson.

“There is a good core of players coming up,” Perry said. “I really feel like we’re starting to catch up to the top teams.

“I’ve put in two and a half years with the team and you can see the improvement. It’s been gradual, but it’s not over.”

Tags: sports, updates, soccer, kernels