Woodland FC Fall Short in Close Final

Woodland FC Captain Chandler Givler receives the runner up trophy.

In a hard fought match that produced quality chances in a back and forth match for both teams, Woodland FC fell just short of Kansas State Cup championship, falling 2-0 to Olathe United. Goals from Jordan Smith, and Max Leiker carried Olathe to victory.

It was a swelteringly hot day in Kansas City Kansas, with temperatures cresting 90 degrees just before kickoff. The match was played at Compass Mineral Sporting Fields, an excellent facility with many turf fields, high quality lighting, and easily accessible accomdations, restaurants, and parking. It was a high quality venue for a high quality match.

Both Woodland and Olathe were unable to field their ideal 22-man lineup, as the grueling season has produced injuries on both sides. Olathe came into the match undefeated still in the 2025 season of the Select League, as well as the State Cup. Woodland came into the tournament in 2nd in the Select League, with their only loss coming to Olathe United back in week 4. This was the final that the league, the State Cup, and fans all would have wanted. And neither of the teams disappointed.

The match started with both teams trying to feel each other out, exchaning brief spells of possession, and generic chances on goal that weren't overly troubling to either keeper. The first moment of drama came around the 10 minute mark.

Woodland were awarded a corner kick that Chandler Givler lofted into the book. Olathe keeper Khary Hassam came out to claim it amongst a cluster of bodies. He lept for it, tried to bring it down, but fumbled it after clattering into that cluster of bodies. Gage Pemberton was first to react and tap it home, but the referee's whistle blew for obstruction, negating the goal. A fair call either way, and one that neither team could complain about whichever way it went.

Olathe United responded with intent as they have all season. After some great possession, a through ball was played ahead to their striker, Lucas Porter. He broke past the defense, and slotted it past the keeper, Joe Keeven, for what looked like a 1-0 lead turnaround, but the assistant referee raised his flag indicating offside, and the match remained 0-0.

Both coaches, recognizing the irony and symmetry to the match, jokingly stated, "1-1" to fill the tense match with a little levity.

Around 5-minutes before the first half hydration break, Woodland's Jake Ashford broke past the defense into the penalty box on the right side, he squared a ball into the 6-yard box to Chandler Givler whose shot was deflected and cleared off the goal line. Just before halftime, Olathe received a free kick on their right wing. The ball sailed into the box, and was headed out wide by Derrick Carson, but Woodland were slow to step to the winger, and Jordan Smith curled an excellent shot past Joe Keeven that settled perfectly into the inside netting.

Olathe 1-0 Woodland

Halftime

The tension of the match continued to rise. It should be said that both teams handled themselves like consummate professionals. This match could have regressed quickly into a bad look for the league, but the players kept the main thing the main thing, and each coach controlled the "temperature" of the match well.

Woodland began the 2nd half with a flurry of chances, demonstrating their championship mettle. Woodland showed early endeadvor and desire to respond through the work of Tate Lancaster downt he right wing. He rounded Levi Jaeger off a throw in, forcing the defender to drag him down, earning a yellow card. Givler sent the ball into the box, and Ashford headed toward goal, only for their keeper, Shadrach Jaeger, to palm it off the line. Woodland would come close again, when Derrick Carson was played through the defense on the right by Jake Hilpertshauser. His low cross found Ashford, who pulled his effort just wide of the goal. A deflected clearance deep in the Olathe third was picked up by Ashford, who dinked an excellent ball to Givler over the defense. Givler fired at goal, Jaeger was quick to recover, and blocked the shot just wide of the goal. Elluan Martins Gomes found Ashford in space, Ashford played Lancaster into the box in space, and his one-time shot rattled the crossbar.

Olathe was still very much alive, threatening, and potent, but struggling to make anything decisive enough to finish off the Royals. An excellent ball down the Olathe left by Ryan Lytton found Concover in space. His cross was brought down by Leiker, but he was unable to control it well as Carson nicked it off his boots.

Brett Jackson won a free kick just inside the Olathe half. Givler played a high ball into the box. Jackson headed it across the face of the goal, and found Mikkelson wide open in space. He tried to fire the volley towards goal, but at full stretch, the shot sailed off the keeper and out for a corner. Off the ensuing corner, Navid Istanbullu was set at the top of the box, and drove his laces through the shot, but straight at the keeper.

You can't waste opportunities against a quality side like Olathe United, and expect to come out with a result. Joe Keeven produced an excellent save off a strike from Noah Conover just before the 2nd half water break.

Olathe United would put Woodland to the sword after some excellent passing movement through the midfield from one side to the next found Max Leiker in space in the box. Olathe sliced through the Woodland midfield, Leiker split his defenders, cut it back, and placed it inside the left post to double their lead.

2-0

Woodland would try to mount the comeback still, fighting hard to the end as Ashford rounded his man, and curled an effort toward goal, only for Jaeger to palm it away again. With their final attempt of the game, another great free kick from Givler was won by Ashford, and the header sailed into the outside netting.

Olathe's resilience has to be recognized in this match. They withstood a genuine onslaught in the second half, and managed to keep a clean sheet for the second consecutive time against this strong Woodland team. Olathe are deserving champions in what was a truly entertaining match between two top shelf teams.

Both teams resume Select League play this week, with Woodland picking up at Real Overland Park at 6:30pm, at Blue Valley Northwest High School on Tuesday night. They continue their quest to chase down Olathe United and try to keep Olathe from winning the double.

You can watch the match replay on our club youtube channel (to be posted asap).

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