By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Topeka High girls soccer team relied upon a mix of returners and new contributors to open the season with a 5-0 win over Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park Tuesday.
Topeka High freshman Emma Schell (left) celebrates an early goal with teammate Paty Acosta-Salas in the Trojans' 5-0 win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Freshman Emma Schell scored right out of the gate in her debut with the Trojans, punching a breakaway past the Charger goalkeeper at 38:43 of the first half. She scored again off a rebound just seven minutes later.
Topeka High junior Dana Chavarria Delacruz (22) celebrates a first-half goal in the Trojans' 5-0 win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Trojans got a goal from Dana Chavarria Delacruz later in the period to go to the intermission leading 3-0.
“We graduated a lot of players from last year, but I knew we had some ability to attack coming back,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “The biggest thing was whether we were going to meld together the way we needed to and communicate the best we could.”
Having gained a commanding lead, Snook went deep into the bench, but the Trojans continued to pour it on, getting two goals from Natalie Barnes in the second half.
Junior captain Raelee Shipley (10) advances the ball in Topeka High's 5-0 win over Topeka West Tuesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Junior captain Raelee Shiplee knew that the Trojans needed to get a game under their belts in order to know what to work on.
“We just had to come out with intensity and communication,” Shiplee said. “After the first game, I think we learned how each other plays. So, I think it will help us more along the road during other games to know how each other plays.”
The Trojans finished with a record of 10-6 last year. Snook said the team faded down the stretch, struggling with injuries and not finishing winnable games. He said spring practice has been a bit disjointed, and he is glad to have the experience of a game to draw upon.
“It’s been a little bit of a struggle so far finding some continuity, in moving the ball and keeping the ball,” Snook said. “It’s a matter of them getting to know each other. We started three freshmen and a transfer senior tonight. It’s a matter of them getting to know each other. We can practice and run scrimmages, but it’s a little bit different when it comes to the intensity of the game.”
TOPEKA HIGH 5, TOPEKA WEST 0
Topeka West (0-1-0) 0 0 — 0
Topeka High (1-0-0) 3 2 — 5
Topeka High — Goals: Schell 2, Barnes 2, Delacruz 1. Assists: Schell 1, Mesta 1, Barnes 1. Shutout Belaire-Serna.
