Soccer coach Christian Boehm walked around the field and hugged all his seniors. Their season came to an end after losing in penalty kicks to Lake Creek in the Region Final matchup at Turner Stadium. As his players cried, Boehm became emotional.

“It’s my first freshman class at Kingwood Park,” Boehm said. “My previous school, I was only there for three years so I didn’t get to see them become seniors. Here, I got to see them become seniors, and it’s the absolute world. I feel like they’re part of my family.”

After ending regulation and overtime still tied at 0-0, Lake Creek (18-4-3) and Kingwood Park (20-4-2) went into a penalty kick shootout to decide who would advance to the state semifinals. Senior captain Chase Bennett scored the first penalty kick before the Panthers fell 4-1.

The matchup at Turner Stadium was the program’s first Region Finals appearance since the 2021 season when they eventually lost in the state finals, 3-2. 

Junior captain and goalkeeper Noah Laughlin was a key reason Lake Creek remained scoreless in regulation and overtime. Late in the first half, Laughlin blocked a Lake Creek penalty kick. 

The back row, including seniors Blake Lawson, Mason Sagendorph and Jonathan West were also crucial to the shutout.

“We were able to hold the 0-0 shutout, but we just couldn’t get it done in the PK shootout,” Lawson said. 

The leadership and chemistry on the team was also a crucial part of the team’s playoff run. The players credited the team’s chemistry with how they were able to connect better on the field and create more memories outside of the sport.

“It’s just a good group of guys,” Lawson said. “We’re a team. It’s the epitome of a team. Team dinners, Chipotle late nights, outside of school and inside of school, we’re coherent as a team. That’s what’s given us success this season, but it just didn’t happen tonight.”

That team mentality was evident all season. Twenty players on the team recorded at least one goal this season.

Junior Ronan Flaherty, who missed the first three playoff games with an injury, finished the year with 15 goals and eight assists. West finished with a team-leading 16 assists. 

Bennett, sophomore Kye Wehby and senior Grant Jimerson each also finished with 10 or more goals and seven or more assists.

The depth and skill on the squad was not what made Boehm most emotional after the game though.

“I’ve never seen such leaders at this age in my entire life,” Boehm said. “I’ve been working at three different high schools, I was in the Air Force for six years and I just haven’t seen it. The leadership on this team is insane and what they do for each other each and every day is invaluable.”