By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Topeka West's boys soccer team has been looking for its elusive first win all season and the Chargers came oh so close Thursday on Senior Night at Hummer Sports Park before dropping a 1-0 overtime decision to Centennial League rival Hayden.
The Chargers have shown signs of improvement from week to week and heads were held high after Thursday's close call.
Hayden midfielder Nick Padilla was the hero for Hayden, taking the ball off a throw-in with 7:14 left in the fiirst overtime and drilling it in the goal from midfield.
The first half was all defense, with Hayden’s Ty Schroeder, Michael Sandstorm, Tyler Broxterman, Ethan Christy and Daxton Ham preventing the Chargers from getting any open space in Wildcat territory.
On the flip side, West also did its part in shutting down Hayden in the first half. Isaac Gonzalez, Carmelo Foy, Caleb Noonoo and Jackson Snyder were flying all over the field, keeping the Wildcats silent offensively.
The second half remained a stalemate for the Chargers and Wildcats.
Outstanding efforts from Hayden goalkeeper Gabe Rankey and Topeka West goalkeeper Giann Perez kept the scoreboard empty, forcing overtime.
Hayden goalkeeper Rankey was a wall all night long that Topeka West couldn’t get through, earning the shutout.
HAYDEN1, TOPEKA WEST 0
Hayden (9-5) 0 0 1 -- 1
Topeka West (0-13-1) 0 0 0 -- 0
Hayden -- Goal: Padilla. Shutout: Rankey.
