By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Topeka High boys soccer team continued to bolster its resume with a 9-1 win over Highland Park at Hummer Sports Park Monday night.
Senior Antonio Aguirre ripped through the Highland Park defense for four goals and fellow senior Ian Martinez added a hat trick to lead the Trojans.
Topeka High senior Antonio Aguirre scored four goals to lead the way as the Trojans rolled to a 9-1 win over city rival Highland Park at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Ian Martinez recorded a three-goal hat trick in Monday's 9-1 Topeka High soccer win over Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The win, coupled with a 5-1 victory over Hayden last week, has the 2-1 Trojans on an upward trajectory. Their lone loss was a double- overtime decision at Lawrence.
“We’ve had three good performances for sure. Losing that tough game against Lawrence, we felt we played well enough to win,” said Topeka High coach Derek Snook. “Then coming out and playing well against Hayden, and this game is another step.
“We feel like we still have room to improve. We can be as good as we want to be. Moving forward, it’s just about getting better every day.”
“It feels great after we lost against Lawrence in overtime,” Aguirre said. “We’ve got to keep coming back and better ourselves no matter whether it’s a blowout or a close game. We’ve got to continue to strive.”
Topeka High senior Jaime Alvarado (right) battles three Highland Park players for the ball during the Trojans' 9-1 win over the Scots Monday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Trojans jumped on Highland Park early and were able to rotate players and exercise different strategies in the game.
“We were able to work on things tonight. We made it easier on ourselves by being able to communicate and play as a team,” Snook said. “We haven’t played Highland Park in a couple of years. These kids all know one another. They might be family. So, coming out and making a statement was big. I think it was a statement to where we’re going.”
Aguirre is one of 12 seniors on the Topeka High roster. He said the Trojans have strong leadership and he was happy to be able to play a big part in the win Monday.
“I’m feeling great. I’m just trying to be a role model to the younger guys, to make them ready for next year and the upcoming years,” Aguirre said. “We’re all a family and we’ve all got to do our part.”
TOPEKA HIGH 9, HIGHLAND PARK 1
Topeka High (2-1-0) 8 1 — 9
Highland Park (0-3-0) 1 0 — 1
Topeka High — Goals: Aguirre 4, Martinez 3, Ovalle, Alvarado. Assists: Storrer, Martinez, Salas.
Highland Park — Goal: Cruz. Assist: Diaz.
