Here's how a resilient Salina South boys soccer team reached the 5A state quarterfinals

Salina South boys soccer coach Trey Crow has been around the game long enough to know when he has something good.

And his 2023 Cougars showed their resiliency in a 2-1, four-overtime victory over Bishop Carroll at Salina Stadium last Thursday in the Class 5A playoffs. The victory gave South the West Region 4 title after they opened with an 8-0 shutout of Topeka West.

“This team is like none other I’ve had the privilege of coaching,” Crow said. “They just have a fight in them that doesn’t quit. I’m hoping that same fight continues for at least three more games. This team has the ability to be really special.”

South, 13-5, resumes its quest for state hardware Tuesday in a 6 p.m. quarterfinal clash at Newton. Newton is 16-2 on the season after finishing fourth at state last year.

The Cougars are still playing because of the gritty style they showed in last Tuesday’s marathon first-round game.

“There was a foul by midfield and we had about 2:45 left in the game,” Crow said. “We were looking to play short, but they defended the short ball, forcing a long ball in the box. Rylan Snell won the deflected ball and beat two players on the dribble for a shot. The goalkeeper saved the shot but gave up a rebound and Bret Jones was in the right place at the right time to calmly pass it in the open net.”

“It was truly one of the most nerve-racking feelings of all,” Jones said. “Every time we entered a new OT I got a burst of adrenaline, and time was moving so fast.  As a team, we were all dead tired and truly leaving everything we had on the field.  We all trusted each other as a team to give it our all.  We all knew that we wanted it so badly, and deserved to come out on top.”

Snell set up the game-winner.

“I felt relief. That game meant a lot to us as a team,” Snell said. “We have been working for it all season, so to finally be able to enjoy that moment felt amazing.”

South’s other goal was scored by Seth Flores.

“We took a shot from outside the box. A Carroll defender deflected it back out right to Seth, who blasted it inside the far post upper 90 of the goal,” Crow said.

“It was almost like a dream come true type of moment,” Flores said. “It was our regional final and not only to score would have been amazing, but the type of goal I scored had me feeling on top of the world.”

Crow said this season has been really special to him.

“I have a son who is a senior and many of these boys I coached at some point in club growing up,” he said. “These kids show up every day and work hard.  It started for us in June with conditioning and training sessions, and then we played in a league in McPherson we won.

"We also played in the Kapaun summer tournament and went 2-1 and the St. Thomas Aquinas tournament and went 2-1.  The chemistry we developed in that time has just carried over into the year.”

Playing in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division 1 has also gotten the Cougars postseason-ready.

“We had two losses to Maize South and also lost to Newton, Derby and Andover Central, who were all regional host schools,” Crow said. “We beat the couple of top 4A schools we played, so I feel we are battle-tested and ready for whoever we play next.”

This team, Crow said, is right where he thought it would be.

“If anything, beating a team with the tradition of Carrroll shows we belong where we are,” he said. “We know they have the ability to compete with anyone and have shown that to this point.”

The Cougars have won with a balanced lineup.

“We have three key seniors, a few key juniors, several key sophomores and a freshman contributing on a regular basis,” Crow said. “I think the balance and the fact we will return much of this team makes it unique.  They are starting to really develop a tradition of hard work and dedication you don’t see a lot.

"They include everyone in everything we do from the top varsity starters to the bottom of the JV roster. All players have a role and are a part of the program and success we have had.”

Junior Luke Matto is the goalkeeper.

“Luke has really stepped up this year after limited time on varsity as a sophomore,” Crow said. “He is big, aggressive and fearless coming out on the ball.”

The right defender spot is manned by sophomore Damon McDonald.

“Damon has been our most consistent defender this year and does a great job helping us switch the ball and break the line of the other teams,” Crow said.

Senior Abram Jennings can be found at center back.

“Abram moved to South this year and has been a vocal leader for our back line and brought a fighting mentality to the other young guys back there,” Crow said.

The freshman is Adrian Lara-Castro at left defender.

“Adrian came in and we expected him to play a bit, but he really stepped up and earned the outside starting spot after our original starter was sick a few games,” Crow said. “He hasn’t looked back and is probably our best 1-v-1 defender.”

Junior Trayton Kinderknecht is the Cougars' super-sub.

“Trayton started the year as a starting outside back, but was out a few games and only lost his spot due to how well Adrian is playing,” Crow said. “I still view Trayton as one of our starters, and he can come off the bench at any position and help us. He has willingly accepted this role and just wants us to win.”

Joshua Soto is a sophomore center midfielder.

“Josh plays our defensive center mid position and has really stepped up this year and helps us maintain control of the ball in the middle,” Crow said.

Carson Crow, the coach's son, is a senior captain and center mid.

“Carson has really stepped up as a leader this year,” Trey Crow said. “He is positive and extremely good on ball defensively (and) offensively.  He works from end to end on the field and never quits.”

Rodrigo Palacios is a sophomore forward/center mid.

“Rodrigo is our most creative player on the ball and has really stepped up his play this year on the offensive side of the ball.  He will be a leader for us next year again,” Crow said.

Junior Franklin Figueroa is slotted at left wing for the Cougars.

“Franklin is our most consistent wing and has created a lot of our attack throughout the year with a few goals and assists working on the left side,” Crow said.

Jones is seen at right wing and is just a junior.

“Bret is just steady and consistent and works tirelessly end to end on the outside for us.," Crow said  "He had a huge game-winner Thursday and has just continued to improve every day."

At forward is Snell, a junior captain.

“Rylan is a true goal scorer,” Crow said. “He struggled with an injury early in the year, but has really come on these last few games and is over 10 goals and 10 assists on the year.”

A senior captain is forward Flores.

“Seth is the heart of the team and our most valuable player,” Crow said. “He can finish from anywhere and helps the entire team with his communication.

“Lander Alvarado, Juan Escobedo, Jose Aranda and Saul Cabral have all played key sub roles in our midfield throughout the year and we are looking for them to earn starting spots next year.  They are all sophomores.”

What sets the team apart is its resiliency, according to Matto.

“These guys are incredible. Week in and week out, this team strives for excellence, they fight for the 80 minutes they share on the field, and they do it side by side,” he said. “If one of us gets down, has a rough game, makes a mistake, anything at all… there’s 10 other guys with their hand out, ready to pick their teammate up to go and battle again.

"These guys are a family, and a family not afraid of a little adversity.”

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Salina South boys soccer on quest for a 2023 state title. What to know