By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West soccer handled the 100-degree heat and the rust that went with a season-opener Tuesday at Hayden, dominating the second half on the way to an 8-0 non-league win over the Wildcats.
Topeka West senior midfielder Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (9), who had two goals, tries to get past Hayden junior midfielder Isaac Woods in Tuesday's 8-0 Charger win over the Wildcats at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Chargers, who are coming off back-to-back banner seasons, led 2-0 at halftime despite letting numerous scoring opporunities get away and then peppered the net after the break, scoring six goals to end the game by the eight-goal spread rule with 11:15 remaining.
"I'm glad to get that first one out of the way and kind of put into a game what we've been working on and see where we can improve from what we've been working on in practice,'' Topeka West coach Josh Kutter said. "Overall it was a positive.''
Hayden, which was also opening its season, was still in the game at halftime, but West boosted its lead to 3-0 at the 30:25 mark of the second half, starting a run of three goals in less than five minutes, and continued to roll from there.
"It always seems like once one falls then the rest start to come, but I guess that's just something we've got to keep working on, finishing under pressure,'' Kutter said. "I know sometimes it's just knocking the rust off.
"We've got lot of guys that are capable of finishing and scoring and creating great plays.''
Senior midfielder Diego Gonzalez-Talavera and senior defender Kameron Ortiz scored two goals apiece for the Chargers while West also got goals from junior forward Valentin Del Real, senior forward Henry Miller and sophomore forward Yahel Garcia as well as an own goal.
Junior Makaly Martinez and Topeka West opened the 2026 soccer season with an 8-0 win at Hayden Tuesday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Ortiz, Del Real and senior midfielder William Lara were credited with assists while junior Kevin Voelker picked up the shutout in goal as the Chargers limited Hayden to very few offensive opportunities.
TOPEKA WEST 8, HAYDEN 0
Topeka West (1-0) 2 6 -- 8
Hayden (0-1) 0 0 -- 0
Topeka West -- Goals: Diego Gonzalez-Talavera 2, Kameron Ortiz 2, Valentin Del Real, Henry Miller, Yahel Garcia, own goal. Assists: Kameron Ortiz, Valentin Del Real, William Lara. Shutout: Kevin Voelker.
