By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden girls soccer was a little sluggish out of the gate Monday, not necessarily surprising given the fact that the Wildcats were coming off an emotional road win over perennial Class 4A-1A state champion Bishop Miege last Thursday and prom weekend.
Hayden junior Avery Becker (3) battles Shawnee Heights sophomore Eva Austin (21) for the ball in Monday's 5-0 Wildcat win over the T-Birds. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Klaus Kreutzer's Wildcats picked up steam as the game went on, improving to a perfect 6-0 on the season with a 5-0 non-league home victory over city rival Shawnee Heights.
"We did get off to a little slow start, but give them credit,'' Kreutzer said. "I think they recovered well and they kept the pressure on.
"I think (Shawnee Heights) is a good team and with a team like that when you get the opportunity you've got to keep pressuring.''
Hayden senior Carsyn Broxterman scored a pair of goals in Monday's 5-0 Wildcat win over Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden scored the only goal it would need at the 30:02 mark of the first half on a goal from senior Carsyn Broxterman and opened up a 2-0 halftime advantage on a goal from sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein with 7:05 left in the half.
Shawnee Heights (1-3-1) suffered a blow late in the opening half when junior defender Brylee Garner was hit with a red card and the T-Birds played a player down the remainder of the game.
It look Hayden only 5:25 into the second half to increase its advantage to 3-0 on a goal from senior Grace Funk and the Wildcats added goals from freshman Emma Slyter and Broxterman over the final 26:25 to pull away.
Seniors Lauren Borjon and Kadence Watts combined for the shutout in goal as Hayden recorded its fourth straight shutout and fifth in six games.
"If you can keep the other team from scoring, you're way ahead, way ahead,'' Kreutzer said with a chuckle.
Hayden faces a tough test on Wednesday, opening Centennial League play with a 6:15 p.m. road game at Washburn Rural, the defending 6A state champion.
HAYDEN 5, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 0
Shawnee Heights (1-3-1) 0 0 -- 0
Hayden (6-0-0) 2 3 -- 5
Hayden -- Goals: Carsyn Broxterman 2, Hailey Schmidtlein, Grace Funk, Emma Slyter. Shutout: Lauren Borjon, Kadence Watts.
