By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden girls soccer is only one game into Centennial League play, but the Wildcats took a huge step toward a league championship Wednesday with a 2-0 win over reigning Class 6A state champ Washburn Rural at McElroy Field.
Hayden senior Grace Funk (right) is congratulated by her teammates after scoring the game's first goal in Wednesday's Centennial League win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I couldn't be more proud of the effort they put forth and we played a very good team,'' Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. "I think they held their own and we didn't play error free but the work was up there (very high) and they were outstanding as far as I'm concerned.''
Hayden senior Grace Funk scored the only goal the Wildcats, now 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the league, would need at the 13:05 mark of the opening half.
"I just kind of did what we practice,'' Funk said. "You go for the run, you see an empty spot and you try to be there and fill just in case it comes there.''
Funk added her second goal with 6:05 left in the half off a free kick.
"The second goal I was putting it up for my teammates' heads,'' Funk said. "I knew they would be there and the wind helped and it just worked out.''
Funk said the Wildcats knew how important Wednesday's game was.
"I feel like we really came together today,'' Funk said. "We knew it would be a hard game and we came out expecting good competition and we got good competition, but I think it was a team effort.
"Every single person did their job and we just came together and finished it.''
Washburn Rural put itself in position for numerous scoring opportunities in the second half, but the Hayden defense and senior goalkeeper Lauren Borjon kept the Junior Blues (4-4-0, 2-1-0) out of the net.
"I think the defense and the back four were outstanding,'' Kreutzer said. "They were motivated. I think they remember the last game (against Rural) and I can't say enough good things about them.''
Hayden senior goalkeeper Lauren Borjon and senior Reese Huscher (14) come up with a save in Wednesday's 2-0 Centennial League win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Kadence Watts (21) teamed with Lauren Borjon for the shutout in goal in Wednesday's 2-0 Centennial League win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Borjon and senior Kadence Watts, who played the first half, combined for the shutout in goal for the Wildcats, who have six shutouts on the season, including five straight.
"Give credit to Hayden,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. "They played great defense. They've got two really good goalkeepers, it doesn't matter which one is in. They make it hard to score and they haven't given up many goals this year (two), so we knew that was going to be the case.
"All credit to them. They've got a really good team. That's one of the best Hayden teams I've seen in awhile for sure.''
HAYDEN 2, WASHBURN RURAL 0
Hayden (7-0-0, 1-0-0) 2 0 -- 0
Washburn Rural (4-4-0, 2-1-0) 0 0 -- 0
Hayden -- Goals: Grace Funk 2. Shutout: Kadence Watts, Lauren Borjon.
