By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Hayden girls soccer team intends to make another run at a state title, a prize that was denied them in double overtime a season ago. The Wildcats took the first step in that long journey Friday by defeating Topeka foe Cair Paravel Latin 8-0 at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.
Hayden fell to Bishop Miege 2-1 on a golden goal corner kick in the second overtime of the Class 4-1A state championship last June. The returners carried the pain of that defeat with them for nine months, anxious to take another crack at it.
They got that chance Friday and made the most of it. The Wildcats won the right to begin the game with the powerful north wind at their backs on a coin flip. Senior Carsyn Broxterman wasted no time, tallying three goals in the first nine minutes of the contest.
Fellow senior Reese Huscher joined the act with two goals in the next nine minutes. Then sophomore Sawyer Wrench put one in the net and the Wildcats led 6-0 at the half.
“Working all through last year, (the championship) was our goal,” Broxterman said. “And then not getting exactly what we wanted but knowing we can get there really kind of helped push us this year to work harder and push ourselves farther than we ever thought we could.
“I think this was a really good start. It was nice seeing all of us work really hard out there and really push ourselves. I think we’re all really excited for the season.”
To make sure no one thought the wind was the reason Hayden dominated the first half, Broxterman knocked home two more goals in less than five minutes of the second half to end the game on a mercy rule with 36:34 still showing on the clock.
Playing with a big lead allowed Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer to rotate players off the bench and see what they could do.
“We brought up two extra players and they got the opportunity to play. I think that’s worthwhile for them. I think it will motivate them in practice a little bit,” Kreutzer said. “I think offensively we looked for other players. I think we took care of opportunities when we had them and I think we finished well. I liked the effort. I liked the enthusiasm.”
Cair Paravel started the season shorthanded due to several starters missing school for an educational trip. The Lions had the misfortunate timing of starting the season with Bishop Miege – the defending state champs – and Hayden – the state runners up – in the same week. The Lions will try to build off those experiences now that they have their entire complement of players.
Kreutzer, meanwhile, had to deal with absences during the first few weeks as well. The Wildcat basketball team claimed the Class 4A state title less than two weeks ago.
“We haven’t had much in the way of practice since we had six starters who were still playing basketball,” the coach said. “The first week of soccer practice was over state. Then it’s spring break. And then we play (soccer). But it is what it is, and I think everybody else is in the same boat.
“But having said that, I think their work ethic has been pretty good. I like what I’ve seen.”
Broxterman leads a group determined to make their own run this spring.
“We knew we had to replace some really good seniors from last year, but overall, our team dynamic was really good, and we had the majority come back,” Broxterman said. “So, I definitely think we still have a close-knit team.”
“We have 10 seniors and we’ve got some incoming freshmen that are fairly talented,” Kreutzer added. “I give credit to the seniors. They worked over the winter to get themselves ready for this.”
HAYDEN 8, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 0
Hayden (1-0) 6 2 -- 8
Cair Paravel (0-2) 0 0 -- 0
Hayden -- Goals: Broxterman 5, Huscher 2, Wrench 1. Assists: Specht 2, Foster 2, Huscher 1, Broxterman 1. Shutout: Watts.
