Gallery • 16 Photos

By Margaret Mellott

The boys soccer team huddles before the game. The Jaguars would go on to lose to Shawnee Mission East, 3-1.

The boys soccer team lost to Shawnee Mission East 3-1 on Friday, Oct. 9.

Both sides came into the half tied 1-1, but a surge in the second half proved to be the difference for Shawnee Mission East’s eventual victory.

Since the football team had an away game, the team played on new turf for the first time this season. Junior midfielder Spencer Butterfield thought the lack of familiarity with the turf made playing against a challenging opponent even more difficult.

“It was tough. They’ve got a lot a lot of good players and a really good program,” Butterfield said. “It was a tough game, especially on the turf. They practice on turf every day, so they’re pretty used to it.”

Junior midfielder Adam Grube believes the physicality of Shawnee Mission East and the Jaguars’ lack of passing efficiency made the difference.

“We need to play more physical. They were bossing us around in the midfield and beating us up,” Grube said. “It was a very quick and physical game. And, we need to start connecting passes on the turf as well.”

Even with the loss, Butterfield hopes to use the experience as a learning tool for games later in the season.

“We’re going to use this result by using this team as a judgement,” Butterfield said. “We’re going to go against every 6A school expecting that team that we’re playing to be as good as [Shawnee Mission East].”

The team’s next game is on the road against Blue Valley West on Tuesday, Oct. 13.