Written by Jack Hart
The Pana boys soccer team enters the 2026 season with a clear goal: win the program’s first regional championship.
After putting in plenty of work during the summer, the Panthers are preparing for the upcoming season with hopes of finishing above .500 and making a deep postseason run.
Senior Tynlee Lehn said the team has had an excellent summer, with players making an effort to get on the field as much as possible while developing their leadership and fitness.
With just 15 players on the roster, fitness will be especially important. Lehn said the team understands the importance of being in the best possible shape to handle the demands of the season and avoid injuries.
Leadership will also be key after the Panthers lost several seniors from last year’s team. Lehn pointed to Aidin Niehart and Jaiden Durbin as players who have stepped into leadership roles and helped set the tone for the team.
Durbin said Pana has focused heavily on defensive drills and positioning during preseason practices. Rather than simply working on individual skills, the team has emphasized situations that involve the entire group and help players develop better game awareness.
That fits with head coach Steve Thompson’s biggest message heading into the season: outwork the opponent.
The Panthers know they may not always have the biggest numbers or the most skilled roster, but they believe effort can help close that gap.
Thompson said the team’s early practices have focused on fitness and technical ability before moving into more tactical situations. The goal is to build a foundation that allows Pana to compete for all 90 minutes.
Culture has also become a major focus for the program.
Lehn said the coaching staff has emphasized building the right culture, believing that it is one of the most important pieces of creating a winning program.
Now, Pana is looking to turn that work into results.
The goal is not simply to improve from last season. The Panthers want to finish above .500 and make a run at a regional championship.
With a small but determined roster, emerging leaders like Jaiden Durbin and Aidin Niehart, and a team-wide commitment to outworking its opponents, Pana believes it has what it takes to make a special run.
The goal is clear: bring home the program’s first regional championship.
