By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Topeka West soccer team kept pace at the top of the state standings by taking care of business against city foe Highland Park Monday.
The Chargers improved to 8-1 on the season with a 9-1 blasting of the Scots at Hummer Sports Park.
Junior Makaly Martinez (11) registered a three-goal hat trick in Topeka West's 9-1 win over Highland Park Monday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka West junior Makaly Martinez broke the ice just two minutes in with a shot past the Highland Park keeper. Martinez paced the onslaught with a three-goal hat trick.
Junior Valentin Del Real scored a pair of goals in Topeka West's 9-1 romp past Highland Park Monday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Fellow junior Valentin Del Real notched two more goals for Topeka West. In all, six Chargers found the back of the net.
Topeka West trails only Kapaun Mt. Carmel in the Class 5A West Regional standings.
Junior Camilo Garcia was one of six players that scored a goal in Topeka West's 9-1 win over Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Junior center midfielder Camilo Garcia said the chemistry of this Topeka West team has helped it become one of the best in Class 5A.
“Some of us have been playing together since we were younger, so there’s a lot of chemistry, and then you add in new players to keep building,” Garcia said. “It feels great working as a team, moving the ball, creating chances, and then you have to just put it in the back of the net like we did tonight.”
Junior Jose Rivera Carrillo (5) is congratulated by Highland Park junior teammate Ronaldo Mijares after scoring on a penalty kick in Monday's 9-1 loss to Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The only score permitted by the Chargers on Monday came as a result of a penalty kick. Junior Jose Rivera Carrillo crossed up the Topeka West keeper on the short shot for the Scots’ lone tally.
Topeka West coach Josh Kutter took advantage of the lopsided score to give experience to reserves.
“It’s really good as you get to this middle to latter part of the season and guys are starting to get banged up, you need players ready to go off the bench who can keep a high level of play,” Kutter said.
“Having some of those guys get experience at the game level, not just practicing with the varsity but playing that varsity game, that builds confidence in them so that we’re ready with that sub when needed.”
With just a handful of games left to play in the regular season, Kutter said consistency will be the thing that carries the Chargers to where they hope to go.
“We’re working to stay consistent, to keep them sharp and playing at a high level,” Kutter said. “No matter what team (we face), we tell them that we respect everyone we play, and we play as hard as we can. It doesn’t matter the name on the shirt or what school they’re from. We have to make sure that we’re holding ourselves accountable to those high standards.”
“For us, we just have to keep playing as a team, staying focused during the game. It’s mental,” Garcia added. “We want to just keep moving our record up, keep winning, keep focused on our next game.”
TOPEKA WEST 9, HIGHLAND PARK 1
Highland Park (2-6) 1 0 -- 1
Topeka West (8-1) 6 3 -- 9
Highland Park -- Goals: Rivera Carrillo.
Topeka West -- Goals: Martinez 3, Del Real 2, Smith Dilone, Garcia, Miller, Rodriguez.
