OVERLAND PARK — Wrapping their campaign with an 8-8-2 overall record, the Neosho County Panthers fell to No. 1 Johnson County, 3-nil, on Saturday in the NJCAA women’s soccer region final.
Saturday’s tilt was a reward from a semifinal upset of Kansas City Kansas last week, where the Panthers won, 3-2.
Against KCK, Freya Stevenson, Pauline Detering and Katie Smart each registered goals. The Panthers trailed, 2-1, at halftime before mounting a comeback.
“We battled really well,” Neosho County head coach Sam Hall said. “We had to eliminate mistakes and not take shortcuts. In the second half, we responded really well. That’s what it takes.”
A postseason road win was a fitting accomplishment after the Panthers, who started the 2025 season 1-5-1, won six of their last nine matches.
“The first half of the season wasn’t good enough, but I knew we’d kick in at some point,” Hall said. “I’m not surprised with as far as we got. But I never looked past the next game.”
Neosho County’s bid to wear the glass slippers ended on Saturday against Johnson County.
Panthers keeper Evie McKane saved five shots while Neosho County registered just three shots on goal.
Johnson County netted goals from Darby Howards, Leonie Widmann and Jill Lenherr.
“I thought the girls were brilliant. There’s a reason Johnson is No. 1,” Hall said. “The girls went 1-nil down and we had to try and battle back. It was challenging to get any momentum.”
Looking ahead
Wrapping his first season as head coach, Hall was optimistic given how the Panthers flipped fortunes over the course of the year.
