CLASS 4-1A STATE SOCCER PREVIEW
 

 
BALDWIN EYES REDEMPTION IN RETURN TO 4-1A TITLE MATCH  

The Baldwin boys soccer team has been building toward this moment for three years. 

After finishing third at state last fall — a breakthrough that included the program’s first-ever win over perennial powerhouse Bishop Miege — the Bulldogs have turned that momentum into an undefeated Frontier League championship and another run to the Class 4-1A state championship game. 

On Saturday, Baldwin will face Rose Hill for the title, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at the Stryker Complex in Wichita. 

“This group has been so focused from the beginning,” Baldwin coach Ryan Cox said. “Last year’s finish gave us a lot of confidence. It showed our guys that they could compete with anybody, and that belief has carried over to this year.” 

The Bulldogs (17-3) punched their ticket to the final with a gritty 2-1 win over Wichita-Classical in Wednesday’s semifinals. Four of Baldwin’s senior captains — Cooper Carr, Leo Schoenberger, Ethan Smasal, and Camden Cox — were part of the 2022 squad that reached the championship match as underclassmen. 

“We actually have four players who were part of that 2022 team,” Cox said. “Cooper has really grown into an all-around athlete and leader. He sets the standard with his work ethic and competitiveness, and the other players really look up to him. All four captains have been vital to Baldwin soccer’s success the past four years.” 

Carr has been the team’s offensive spark, leading the Bulldogs with 25 goals, while Smasal has added 10 goals and a team-high 13 assists. Behind them, junior goalkeeper Cason Dick has anchored a defense that’s allowed just 16 goals all season and posted 11 shutouts. 

The road back to the title game hasn’t been easy. Baldwin has relied on its defense and composure in tight games, winning five times by a single goal. 

“The biggest key was our focus,” Cox said of the semifinal win. “A lot of the guys who played last night were on the field last year when we lost to Wichita Trinity, and they didn’t want to feel that again. Everyone was determined to do whatever it took to come out with a win.” 

Now, standing in their way is Rose Hill — a program with a strong tradition of postseason success and plenty of offensive firepower. 

“We’re getting more familiar with them as we speak,” Cox said. “Rose Hill is a very good team and has had just as much success as we have over the past couple of years. They have some very talented players, including one committed to Creighton. We feel prepared for the challenge and will be ready to go on Saturday.” 

For Cox, the formula is simple: play their game, stay composed, and compete until the final whistle. 

“We need to play hard for the full 80 minutes,” he said. “I don’t question this team’s focus or ability to execute. They want this title more than anything, and they’re ready for the challenge.” 
 

OLD SCHOOL TIES, NEW SCHOOL PRIDE FOR BALDWIN PRINCIPAL BRITTINGHAM

When Baldwin principal Brant Brittingham walks into the Stryker Complex on Saturday, he’ll see a familiar face on the opposing sideline. 

Brittingham, who’s led Baldwin High for the past 13 years, is a Rose Hill native and a former player for legendary Rockets coach Jerry Treat, who is still guiding Rose Hill’s program today. 

“In ’93, I was part of Coach Treat’s first team that placed at state,” Brittingham said. “We took third after going to a shootout with McPherson. I really think it was the perfect storm for Jerry when he took over. He had the talent, he wanted to coach, and he built great relationships. He had extreme patience with knuckleheads like me.” 

Brittingham laughs as he recalls his playing days. “Every time I see Jerry he calls me Mr. October because that was the only time I’d score goals,” he said. “If I wanted to play, I was on, but if not, I was pretty lazy.” 

Soccer was a family affair for the Brittinghams. His brothers also played for Treat, and his father worked the scoreboard long before digital clocks were standard. 

“My family has a long history at Rose Hill,” he said. “My parents will be there Saturday — they even asked which side they should sit on.” 

While his heart will always hold fond memories of Rose Hill, Brittingham says there’s no question where his loyalty lies now. 

“Kids always ask me who I’m rooting for, and it’s Baldwin 100 percent,” he said. “When we moved here, my wife and I wanted to find another 4A community like Rose Hill — and we found it in Baldwin. The community, teachers, and students here are amazing.” 

Still, Saturday’s matchup will be a sentimental one. 

“It’s a little bittersweet because I love Coach Treat and I’ll give him a hug on Saturday,” Brittingham said. “I’m grateful for my time at Rose Hill and I’ll always have roots there — but I bleed purple now, and I’m excited for the game.” 

 
BALDWIN BULLDOGS (17-3-0)
 
Coach: Ryan Cox
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: 1 runner-up finish – 2022 (4-1A)
 
2025 RESULTS
 
W,2-0 at Ottawa
W,8-1 Seabury Academy
W,1-0 Basehor-Linwood
L,2-1 at KC East Christian
W,9-1 Paola
W,4-0 Tonganoxie
W,2-0 at Bonner Springs
W,2-0 Ottawa
W,4-0 at Eudora
L,3-2 Bishop Ward
W,1-0 Louisburg
W,1-0 at Hayden
W,1-0 at Maur Hill
W,5-3 at Christ Prep
W,1-0 OT Spring Hill
L,3-0 at Blue Valley
W,9-1 Atchison (P)
W,3-0 Tonganoxie (P)
W,3-1 Heritage Christian (P)
W,2-1 Wichita Classical (P)
 
2025 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Goals scored: 61 (3.1 per game)
 
Goals allowed: 16 (0.8 per game)
 
INDIVIDUALS
 
Goals: Cooper Carr (sr.) 25; Ethan Smasal (sr.) 10; Leo Schoenberger (sr.) 8; Taiven Hansen (so.) 6; Camden Cox (sr.) 4; Homer Rice (sr.) 3; Keldyn Cox (sr.) 2.
 
Assists: Ethan Smasal (sr.) 13; Camden Cox (sr.) 12; Cooper Carr (sr.) 6; Braxton Chase (sr.) 5; Leo Schoenberger (sr.) 4; Homer Rice (sr.) 4; Sacou Gerrard (fr.) 4.
 
Shutouts: Cason Dick (jr.) 11.
 

ROSE HILL EAGER FOR PRIME-TIME RETURN TO FINAL
 
Standing under the stars after his team defeated Bishop Miege for the second consecutive year in the Class 4-1A soccer semifinals, Rose Hill coach Jerry Treat considered the similarities and differences to 2024 for this year’s Rockets.
 
Foremost among the changes was the start time for Saturday’s championship against Baldwin at Wichita’s Stryker Sports Complex. After leading off last year’s state finals tripleheader with a mid-morning start, Treat is glad to be going last this time around.
 
“Last year’s game with these guys, we were just physically beat up,” Treat said after Rose Hill edged Miege 1-0 on Wednesday on its home field, the same place it topped the Stags 2-0 a year ago. “I’m glad (the championship) is a 7 p.m. game and we have a little more time to recover.”
 
Treat believes an evening start better serves his night owls regardless, and Rose Hill (18-2) will put that theory to the test against Baldwin (17-3). Both are looking to improve on their 2024 state finish, when Rose Hill fell 4-3 to Wichita Trinity in the title game. Baldwin has assured itself a higher finish after taking third last year, when the Bulldogs bounced back from a semifinal loss to Trinity with a 2-1 victory over Miege.
 
After ending Miege’s eight-year reign in 4-1A with last year’s semifinal shutout, Rose Hill continued to crack the Stags’ code on Wednesday. Sophomore forward Caden Davis punched in a rebound off junior Brady Liebl’s initial shot in the fifth minute, and the Rockets made it hold up despite Miege playing the offensive aggressor for much of the second half.
 
“It feels great getting another chance to go win it,” senior midfielder Jordy Kaba said. “Getting to play with all these boys again is great.”
 
After graduating eight seniors off last year’s 18-2 team, the Rockets seemingly didn’t miss a beat, winning their first 13 matches by averaging 5.5 goals and posting 10 shutouts. But their coach and players knew team chemistry was still a work in progress.
 
“We started at the beginning of the season a little shaky internally,” said Kaba, who is fourth on the team with eight goals. “But we built it together and now we’ve got friendships and brotherhoods throughout the team. I think we’re just stronger together now.”
 
The Rockets certainly possess team speed that mirrors their mascot. Rose Hill protected its lead against Miege early by claiming its share of 50-50 balls, then adjusted to the unique style the Stags employed to try to even the match.
 
“They played a lot of long balls,” Treat said. “This was like watching a soccer game from the 1970s. We call it dump and chase, and kick and rush is what the Brits call it. This was a dump-and-chase game.”
 
Davis scored his 11^th goal of the season in the victory against Miege. That’s second on the team to Liebl, who has 24. The Rockets have scored 90 goals in 20 games while allowing just 13.
 
Rose Hill is searching for its first state title since 2015, when it went back-to-back under Treat. Last year’s loss to Trinity was the Rockets’ fifth in a state championship game.
 
The road back to the title game has felt less ominous to current Rocket veterans. Even if perennial power Miege once again was the final obstacle to another title game.
 
“There were definitely a lot less butterflies in my stomach at school,” Kaba said after the victory over Miege. “I was always excited to play this game, and I’m excited to play the next one.” 
 

ROSE HILL ROCKETS (18-2-0)
 
Coach: Jerry Treat
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: 2 state titles – 2015 (4-1A), 2014 (4-1A); 5 runner-up finishes – 2024 (4-1A), 2013 (4-1A), 2010 (4-1A), 2008 (4-1A), 2005 (4-1A)
 
2025 RESULTS
 
W,8-0 at Coffeyville
W,2-1 Salina South
W,8-0 Mulvane
W,8-0 Winfield
W,2-1OT Eisenhower
W,2-1 Goddard
W,8-0 Winfield
W,4-0 at Berean Academy
W,7-0 at Augusta
W,8-0 Circle
W,1-0 McPherson
W,4-0 at Buhler
W,9-0 at El Dorado
L,3-2 Andover
W,5-2 at Wichita Classical
L,5-1 Valley Center
W,6-0 Hayden (P)
W,1-0 Trinity Academy (P)
W,3-0 McPherson (P)
W,1-0 Bishop Miege (P)
 
2025 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Goals scored: 90 (4.5 per game)
 
Goals allowed: 13 (0.7 per game)
 
INDIVIDUALS
 
Goals: Brady Liebl (jr.) 24; Caden Davis (so.) 11; Joshua Herrera (jr.) 9; Jordy Kaba (sr.) 8; Ethan Helget (sr.) 7; Lucas Goodrich (so.) 4; Sebastian Rodriguez (so.) 4; Noah Plaza (so.) 4.
 
Assists: Brady Liebl (jr.) 24; Caden Davis (so.) 13; Joshua Herrera (jr.) 9; Sebastian Rodriguez (so.) 8; Caeden Defoor (jr.) 5; Myer McNaul (sr.) 4; Ethan Helget (sr.) 4.
 
Shutouts: Nate Salinas (jr.) 14.