By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The 2023 soccer season was a rough one for the Lady Panthers. Great Bend finished the season at 2-16 overall, scoring in just six of those contests. Fifteen of the 20 goals scored last season came in a pair of 7-0 and 8-1 wins against TMP. Former Panther standout and boys' assistant coach Noel Rodriguez was recently named the new Lady Panther head coach for 2024.
"I'd like to keep growing the sport," Rodriguez said. "It's been growing rapidly throughout the years so I'd like to grow the sport more, maybe invite some new players in, maybe some players who haven't experienced the game before. I definitely want to compete next year, find some success, and give the squad the opportunity to succeed in whatever they'd like to do, whether that's on the soccer pitch or in class."
Rodriguez is a current employee of Great Bend High School. A GBHS graduate in 2012, he captained the Panthers his junior and senior seasons, leading Great Bend to a 15-4 record and fifth-place finish at state as a senior. The 77 goals that year, the 15 wins, and the state finish are all school records. Rodriguez earned an all-state honorable mention for his work.
Rodriguez has grown up playing soccer and coached through the Great Bend Recreation Commission and local club teams. He coached the Great Bend Middle School boys for five years, and was named head coach of the GBMS girls in 2021. He wants to bring fun to the Lady Panther soccer team, but also wants to make an impact in the soccer world.
"I think I'd like to make it a goal to involve the community a little bit more, get some fans in the stands," he said. "Hopefully, we can find a way to do that. But definitely compete and have a fun and successful year."
Great Bend posted winning seasons in three of its first five seasons, but has not had a winning record since posting 12 wins in the 2004 campaign.
