By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's soccer team achieved one of its goals for the 2024 season Tuesday night at McElroy Field, extending its Centennial League title streak to 30 seasons (outright or shared) with a 4-0 win over Topeka High.
But there is still work to be done according to Rural coach Brian Hensyel.
Junior Draden Chooncharoen had a goal and an assist in Washburn Rural's 4-0 Centennial League title-clenching win over Topeka High Tuesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"Every year we want to win the league championship because if you do it means you've kept the streak going, but it also means you've won some games and if you win all your league games and you win the league you're setting yourself up for good stuff in the playoffs,'' Hensyel said.
"So Step 1 we wanted to win tonight because we obviously want to keep that league championship here, but honestly for seeding we're trying to win both games this week and finish on a good note and try to play as many games at home (in postseason) as possible.''
Washburn Rural, now 11-2-2 overall and capping a perfect 5-0 Centennial League run, scored the only goal it would need at the 17:43 mark of the first half on a goal from junior Drew Moore and added goals from juniors Dylan Willingham at the 11:27 mark and Draden Chooncharoen with 5:27 left in the half to take a commanding 3-0 halftime advantage.
Topeka High (11-5-0, 4-1), which has been hampered by injuries late in the regular season, kept Rural out of the net for most of the second half before junior Brody Grogan scored with 4:18 remaining to give the Junior Blues their final margin.
Junior Brandon Hamilton (14) had a pair of assists in Tuesday's 4-0 Washburn Rural Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Brandon Hamilton was credited with two assists on the night while Chooncharoen also picked up an assist for the Junior Blues and junior Miles Cook picked up the shutout in goal.
"We've got goals and aspirations,'' Hensyel said. "Obviously our goal is always to advance as far in the playoffs as possible and the last few years we've been on the doorstep -- third place, fourth place, second place in the last three years -- and we want to try and break through.''
Washburn Rural will close out its regular season at home Thursday against Blue Valley North while Topeka High will be off until the start of Class 6A regionals next week.
TOPEKA WEST 2, TOPEKA HIGH 0
Topeka High (11-5-0, 4-1) 0 0 -- 0
Washburn Rural (11-2-2, 5-0) 3 1 -- 4
Washburn Rural -- Goals: Drew Moore, Dylan Willingham, Draden Chooncharoen, Brody Grogan. Assists: Brandon Hamilton 2, Draden Chooncharoen. Shutout: MIles Cook.
