By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Locked in a battle with Topeka High, the Washburn Rural boys soccer team saw its new all-time leading scorer come through when it needed him.
Topeka High held the Junior Blues scoreless for 30 minutes Monday at Hummer Sports Park until Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham received a pass from Brodye Kocher-Munoz and broke the tie with a shot inside the right post.
Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham (middle) became Rural's career scoring leader in Monday's 3-1 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
With the first-half goal, Willingham matched the Washburn Rural all-time scoring record. The 57th goal of his career moved Willingham into a tie with former Junior Blues Austin Halsey and Easton Bradstreet.
The Trojans responded 10 minutes into the second half. Senior Santiago Ovalle headed a deflected ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1.
Junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz (9) assisted on both of Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham's goals in Monday's 3-1 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Again, when his team needed a goal, Willingham was up to the task. With another assist from Kocher-Munoz, Willingham took sole ownership of the Washburn Rural scoring record at the 13:17 mark with his 58th career goal.
Washburn Rural senior Draden Chooncharoen added an insurance goal – assisted by Willingham – with three minutes remaining for the 3-1 final.
“I know he will tell you, anytime you break a record, you’ve got great teammates around, setting you up,” Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said of Willingham. “The first goal, he gets a great pass at his feet. The second goal, same kind of deal.
“(Dylan) made the plays to make it happen, and it’s not surprising that when we needed a big play, he got it. But my favorite play of the night was, at 2-1, he could have taken a shot, and instead he chipped a ball to the back post and got the assist.”
Willingham allowed himself, briefly, to reflect on the individual accomplishment. But he said he was more happy that the Junior Blues claimed their 31st consecutive Centennial League title than he was about breaking the record.
“I was really excited. There’s really no other way to describe it, I’d say. It’s pretty great,” Willingham said about the scoring record. “I’m really most excited about the league title. As seniors, you know, we have such a long streak, you don’t want to be the class to break the streak.”
Willingham and his coach were both proud of the way the team responded in a tense battle.
“After they got their goal, we allowed no shots at all, which that’s the key to winning close games, honestly is on defense,” Willingham said. “I don’t think we changed anything after their goal. We knew we can pull out a result for sure. Even though they got one goal, we’re not going to get mad or throw a fit. We’re going to just keep playing the way we play.”
“Soccer’s a tough sport,” Hensyel said. “The last few games, every ball seemed to go our way and ricochet off a post and go in or whatever. We were just scoring goals and it seemed pretty easy. But the reality is, that’s not the sport. It’s usually really tough.
“We ran into a really good goalkeeper in Billy Lutz, and I thought (the Trojans) played really hard. They always give us a really good energy and good effort. I wasn’t surprised at all (by the close game). Topeka High has had a good season and had some really good results. So, we’re just happy to get the win.”
Topeka High fell to 8-5-2 with the loss. They will complete their regular season schedule at home versus Lansing on Thursday.
The Junior Blues improved to 13-1-1 and travel to Blue Valley North Thursday for their final regular-season game. Hensyel works hard to make sure his team is challenged in the regular season to ensure it is ready for the playoffs. He said the close match with the Trojans was to their benefit.
“I told the guys, when you have to grind out a tough win like that, that’s actually probably, long term, a better thing for us,” Hensyel said.
WASHBURN RURAL 3, TOPEKA HIGH 1
Washburn Rural (13-1-1) 1 2 — 3
Topeka High (8-5-2) 0 1 — 1
Washburn Rural — Goals: Willingham 2, Chooncharoen. Assists: Kocher-Munoz 2, Willingham.
Topeka High — Goal: Ovalle.
