After making their first state championship in school history a year ago but coming up short in a 1-0 defeat, the Powell High School girls’ soccer team is still searching for its first title, as the Panthers hope to reload once again in the 2026 season.

Leading the way  is senior midfielder Ivy Agee, who is a three-time All-State selection and the program’s all-time leading goalscorer, having surpassed over 100 goals in her first three years.

Agee is not the only Panther returning with experience  this season, as her younger sister Jesi is a returning All-Conference selection for her sophomore year.

The Panthers bring experience in a number of places across the field, as senior Josie Hallock returns in net, junior Ava Brewer and sophomore Charlie Eastman return in the back line, forward Ava Gilliatt returns for a third straight year as well as seniors Patricia Christensen and Melanie Garcia having experience for the Panthers.

“The biggest thing I’d like my upperclassmen to do is set a consistent example to the younger kids,” coach Danny Agee said. “That’s the only way we’ll be able to keep the philosophy of play and work ethic consistent year to year.”

In addition to experienced returners they will add in another group of talented freshmen who are hoping to make an impact as well as some sophomores who earned playing time a year ago.

Coach Agee noted the Panthers have a relatively smaller team this year which means the team is focusing early on fitness in addition to technical abilities in hopes of keeping kids healthy while continuing to play their brand of soccer.

“The two main things we are hitting are technical ability, and we are really trying to improve our fitness level so we hopefully push teams outside their comfort level and take advantage at the end of the game,” coach Agee said.

He said one of the main things the team is focusing on is the warm-up, ensuring the players are ready to compete and not get any injuries due to fatigue.

“We’re going to push the fitness level to where injuries are not occurring due to fatigue,” coach Agee said.

The Panthers once again expect to be among the top in a field of tough competition, with two of the toughest opponents coming in the 3A West in defending champion Cody and Lander.

Powell begins its quest to return to the state title game on May 23 in Gillette with a pair of home games as the Panthers have plenty of chances to compete in front of the home crowd this year.

Those first two games will give Powell an opportunity to see a pair of 3A East opponents, as the Panthers welcome in Newcastle at 3 p.m. on Friday and Douglas on Saturday at noon.

While they are the first games of the season, Agee said he is hoping the Panthers will show plenty of early control against the visiting opponents, while working hard to win the ball back should they lose possession at times.

“I want the soccer ball the entire time. What I’d really like to see of the team is we push the tempo in possession,” coach Agee said. “When we lose the ball, I’d like to see a fast transition and press high up the field.”

Powell continues its early homestand with a contest against Buffalo next Thursday before taking the rest of the Easter weekend off before starting conference play the following week.