Mike Lavieri  - Paywall

Shawnee Mission East soccer advances to regional championship as Clayton Phillips sits alone in second for most goals in a season

Grayson Rapp, left, and Tommy Nelson celebrate after the Lancers went up 1-0 against Blue Valley North Tuesday evening in their first playoff game. SM East next plays Blue Valley Northwest in the regional final at 7 p.m., Thursday at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium.
Grayson Rapp, left, and Tommy Nelson celebrate after the Lancers went up 1-0 against Blue Valley North Tuesday evening in their first playoff game. SM East next plays Blue Valley Northwest in the regional final at 7 p.m., Thursday at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium.

Shawnee Mission East won its opening playoff game 3-0 against Blue Valley North Tuesday evening, setting up a regional final against defending state champion Blue Valley Northwest.

The Lancers took the lead with 22 minutes to play in the first half when junior Tommy Nelson headed home a long throw in from senior Stanley Morantz. Minutes into the second half, a Morantz throw in set up another goal when Blue Valley North fouled a Lancer in the box. Senior Oliver Bihuniak converted the penalty kick.

Senior Clayton Phillips finished the scoring with two minutes to play. With the goal, his 18th of the season, Phillips surpassed head coach Jamie Kelly for the second most goals in a season in program history, behind Tyler Rathbun.

The playoffs continue at 7 p.m., Thursday against Blue Valley Northwest at the Shawnee Mission South District Stadium.

(H/T to Dave Morantz for the write up and Carrie Morantz for the photo)