By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
FAUCETT - In the spring of 2021, when Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer was holding their first ever practices, it's likely nobody inside the program or outside thought the Dragons could reach a Final Four in only their second year.
Just ask sophomore and two-year starter Emily Parrott.
"I don't know if I would have believed them," sophomore Emily Parrott said, thinking back to those early days. "But, seeing how our team has worked together and built together over the last two years, I would know that we'd be able to do this."
Mid-Buchanan (15-6) has made it a reality. The Dragons are Final Four bound following a 3-0 win over Barstow in Class 1 quarterfinals last Saturday on their home field in Faucett.
Head coach Danielle Beers knows the achievement is significant, but she's not surprised this group pulled it off.
"After a little bit of time spent with these girls, they have the heart and the drive," coach Danielle Beers said. "As you spend more time with them, you see the possibilities and the big picture. They would do whatever they need to for each other and it shows."
Mid-Buchanan will now face Whitfield (11-6) in the state semifinals on Friday at noon at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.
It's a remarkable story for a program that just started just over a year ago, and for a community that never got to enjoy soccer prior to this.
"Oh gosh, it's amazing," Beers said. "I'm just so excited for the program, because they're inspiring so many young girls. You know, that was the goal to start the program here. To just bring soccer to a community that hasn't had it yet. It's happening and it's awesome."
Last season was remarkable enough. In just their first season, with a roster of many first-year soccer players, the Dragons went 11-7 and finished as district runners-up to Bishop LeBlond.
One year later, with many of those same players, Mid-Buchanan beat LeBlond for the district title and are now just one win away from playing for a state title.
"It's just crazy," Lieffring said. "I didn't really...well, I mean, I thought it was possible, but you don't really think you can do it until you actually do it. So, it was really great. A really great feeling."
Whatever happens this weekend, Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer has already defied their own expectations by quite a long ways. And the 2022 season is already one that's forever gone down in school history.
"I'm not really surprised, because I knew our team could do it," Thornton said. "But, it's just crazy because we're a second-year program and I feel like no one really expected it, but I just...it's crazy. It's a crazy feeling."
The other semifinal features St. Pius X of Festus (13-6-1) and Greenwood (15-3). The championship game is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. and the third place is game is Saturday at 10 a.m.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.