By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Topeka High’s rollercoaster soccer season came to an end in Friday's Class 6A regional championship match against Garden City, with the Trojans losing 2-0 at Hummer Sports Park.
Losing the regional championship certainly wasn’t the way the Trojans wanted to end the the year, but the journey to that point gave Topeka High cherished memories.
Topeka High senior Tae Thomas executes a header in Fridays 2-0 Class 6A regional loss to Garden City. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
“I couldn’t be happier with the way the season turned out for us,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “After the first couple of weeks, I was unsure about how the season was going to go. At one point of the season, we spent more time in the training room than we did on the practice field. But the fight, determination and the ‘never say die’ attitude carried us a long way.
“This is the best team I’ve ever coached.”
Topeka High was rolling coming into Friday night’s contest against Garden City, but the Buffaloes were playing great soccer as well.
As dominant as High’s backline was for its hot stretch in May, Garden City found ways to exploit the Trojans on Friday.
Out of Garden City’s 21-player roster, only one senior was on the squad and that person is Destiny Rojo.
Rojo put a goal on the board for the Buffaloes with a penalty kick at the 31:10 mark in the first half.
Topeka High’s backline booted a ball past midfield where Tae Thomas would have one of the slim opportunities to score in the first half. Garden City goalkeeper Laydaly Enriquez would throw her entire body in front of the charging Thomas to prevent Topeka High from scoring with 18:04 to go.
Garden City would bullrush Topeka High down in their own territory and collect a goal with 15:36 remaining in the first half. Ariel Martinez would fake out two Trojan defenders and would net it in with a light tap of the cleat.
The mauling Buffaloes' defense would be the main story of Friday night’s contest. Topeka High’s attackers would be dramatically halted by Garden City’s slide tackles and speed.
Topeka High would have four opportunities in the first half and six in the second half to score against the Buffaloes but fell short.
Enriquez would have a career-type of day in the box for Garden City.
Topeka High wouldn’t be able to net a goal against Garden City and finished the season with a 12-6-0 record.
The Trojans improved from previous years and High hopes this season will help next year’s team going forward.
“This team will reflect on all of our different programs here at Topeka High,” Snook said. “These girls’ ‘never say die’ attitude this season has set the standard for what we want to accomplish down the road. If the underclassmen learned anything it was to never quit and give up on your teammates.
“No matter what the score or the outcome of the game is, as long as you never gave up on each other, you will take that with you. It wasn’t the way we wanted to end the season, but I’m glad that they gave it their all.”
GARDEN CITY 2, TOPEKA HIGH 0
Garden City (12-5-1) 2 0 – 0
Topeka High (12-6-0) 0 0 – 0
Garden City – Goals: Rojo, Martinez. Assist: Rojo. Shutout: Enriquez.
