By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High soccer looks forward to every game it plays, but the Trojans get a little extra pep in their step when they get the opportunity to face a USD 501 rival, particularly now that the three 501 schools are in three separate leagues.
Topeka High senior Bruno Nunez (right), who had a goal and an assist, advances the ball in Monday's 8-0 win over Highland Park while Scot sophomore Ronaldo Mijares defends. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High got that chance to square off with a district rival on Monday at Hummer Sports Park and took full advantage, rolling to an 8-0 win over Highland Park in a game that was ended by the eight-goal spread rule with eight and a half minutes remaining.
"We just started playing Highland Park again and it's nice because these guys all know one another,'' said Topeka High coach Derek Snook, whose Trojans improved to 3-1. "They hang out in neighborhoods together and they might be neighbors as far as I know, but playing against a city team and playing well, that always helps.
"It helps with the confidence and I think it helps with community camaraderie as well because no matter how fierce it is on the field, it's still family at times.''
Topeka High got the only goal it would need at the 30:41 mark of the opening half on a shot by senior Noah Storrer and added first-half goals from junior John Martinez, freshman Emyr Vargas on a penalty kick and senior Neri Diaz-Mayorga to take a commanding 4-0 advantage at the break.
The Trojans added three more goals in the first 3:33 of the second half, from senior Santiago Ovalle, a second goal from Vargas and junior Brandon Gomez-Hernandez, to boost their lead to 7-0, but Highland Park (1-2) was able to keep High off the board for 28 minutes until senior Bruno Nunez converted High's second penalty kick of the night with 8:30 left to end the contest.
Storrer was credited with a pair of assists while the Trojans also got assists from Nunez, Christopher Parga and Vargas.
Senior Billy Lutz and freshman Colton Stormer combined for the shutout in goal.
Topeka High soccer coach Derek Snook talks to his team after Monday's 8-0 win over USD 501 rival Highland Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
In addition to the win, Snook was happy that the Trojans got the opportunity to get playing time for everybody on the Topeka High roster.
"We have 19 kids over there that want to play and we have practiced well, so all those kids deserve a chance to play,'' Snook said.
Topeka High will host another city rival, Shawnee Heights, on Thursday at Hummer.
TOPEKA HIGH 8, HIGHLAND PARK 0
Highland Park (1-2) 0 0 -- 0
Topeka High (3-1) 4 4 -- 8
Topeka High -- Goals: Emyr Vargas 2, Noah Storrer, John Martinez, Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Santiago Ovalle, Brandon Gomez-Hernandez, Bruno Nunez. Assists: Noah Storrer 2, Bruno Nunez, Christopher Parga, Emyr Vargas. Shutout: Billy Lutz, Colton Stormer.
