Boys soccer playoffs come to an end for the PCHS Miners in Vernal

Park City Miners High School Boys Soccer playing in the playoffs. Photo: Roepke Family // TownLift

VERNAL, Utah — Park City High’s boys varsity soccer team ended their season Friday, May 10, with a 3-1 loss to Uintah High School in Vernal.

This was the first round of the UHSAA spring soccer post season, a playoff tournament Park City was on the brink of getting a berth in, until late-season, statewide school losses boosted the team’s points on paper.

Senior, forward Porter Connolly, continued his standout year on the Miners squad. Prior to high school, one of the teams he played on was with the Park City Soccer Club (PCSC).

Uintah scored first in the 18th minute, then the equalizer came in the 38th minute from Park City Junior Forward, Nicolas Janssen, whose mom volunteers as the team photographer. He dribbled past two different opponents and shot the goal from approximately 20 feet out.

“An unfortunate end to the season, but everyone on the team fought hard and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Janssen told TownLift. He also used to play for the PCSC.

The Miners as a whole were given more yellow cards by this game’s referee, which resulted in one red card, in this one game than the team got cumulatively all season.

Joining them on the three-hour journey to Vernal was an addition to the coaching staff this year. Focusing on freshmen, the man who goes by the name ‘Senior’ also joined the school staff as a hall monitor.

Senior is originally from Congo, and among the multi-lingual conversations he holds, he’s a regular fixture popping into the French classes on campus. It’s not unusual for him to be handing out authentic French pastries, made by his mom, and teaching the students about Congolese cuisine. His father was a high-ranking member of the government back in Congo. On the field, however, is where Senior really shines as he is a retired player from the Men’s Under-21 National Team of Congo.