It wasn’t too long ago that the Park Hill girls soccer team was among the best in the state, winning the 2018 state championship and five district titles in six years.
That golden era — starting in 2015 and ending in 2021 — has passed and the Trojans have struggled to recoup in the years since, coming off three consecutive losing seasons. Now, the Trojans are looking in a different direction under the guidance of a new coach who brings a wealth of success to the team.
Jason Pendleton enters his first year with Park Hill but his 28th season as a head coach. Within the past decade, Pendleton has become a five-time state champion in Kansas at Mill Valley and Blue Valley Southwest and was named United Soccer Coaches Girls National Coach of the Year in 2017, winning two state titles with Blue Valley Southwest and most recently guiding Mill Valley to its first girls state title in 2023.
Pendleton wants to set higher standards quickly for the Trojans, who return three all-conference players from last year. Park Hill went 4-11 last season, tied for last with Staley in conference play in 2024.
“Raising overall expectations for our program in every facet,” Pendleton said. “We are focusing on the process, and in doing so, that will translate to more on-field success.”
The Trojans have nine underclassmen on the team, some of whom will be starting as freshmen. Pendleton expects to see freshman Elise Zeller get the start as the Trojans’ first-choice goalkeeper throughout the year after impressing in preseason.
While the process is still beginning its formation, Park Hill will lean on returning all-district defenders Alyssa Estanich and Emily Woelk to keep the team on the right trajectory with hopes to hit its peak during districts and make a memorable postseason run.
“The girls have embraced the way I do things and the energy and effort has been great,” Pendleton said. “I think we have a group of players who are intelligent and have great work ethic. That combination should serve us well.”