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Lady Bullpups Fall to Hayden in Regional Semifinal, End Season on Heartbreaking Note

Senior class concludes remarkable four-year run as young team shows promise for future

Treg Fawl

23 May 2025 • 2 min read

Jr. Adison Shaft - Picture Credit Joel Muhs

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MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson High School Lady Bullpups soccer season came to a heartbreaking end Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss to Topeka Hayden in the Class 4A regional semifinal, as a talented senior class saw their final chapter close despite a valiant effort against a formidable opponent. The loss concluded McPherson's season with an 11-6 record, as the Bullpups got off to a promising start when Becca Lulloff broke through the Hayden backline and finished her opportunity with precision to give McPherson an early lead, but the visitors would respond with a goal just before halftime and add the decisive score a few minutes into the second half to advance to the regional championship.

Head coach Chris Adrian struggled to find words after watching his senior class conclude their remarkable four-year journey with the program. "It's hard to find the words after a difficult loss like that," Adrian said. "My heart breaks for this senior class that has been apart of so much success over the last four years. I really wanted another week of practice with them. They took their leadership opportunities seriously and left the team stronger than they found it." Despite creating several scoring opportunities in the second half as they desperately sought an equalizer, the Lady Bullpups were unable to find the back of the net again. Adrian praised both his departing seniors and the young core that will return, noting the tremendous growth the team showed over the final three months of the season and expressing optimism about the program's bright future ahead.