By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Everything has been pretty close to perfect in the opening week for the Topeka High girls soccer team, well, except for the weather.
On a rainy Friday night, the Trojans knocked off Sunflower League member Lawrence, 4-2, at Hummer Sports Park.
opeka High coach Derek Snook talks to his team after Friday's 4-2 non-league win over Lawrence at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Topeka High doesn't seem to be missing ingredients from its secret recipe that guided the Trojans to a successful season a year ago. The backline is imposing, the scorers are attacking, and the team is flying all over the field.
Last Monday night, Topeka High defeated 501 foe Topeka West, 9-0, and that dominance segued into Friday night's win.
With the graduation of last year's attackers (Tae Thomas and Luxanna Sands), the team is still trying to figure out the balance and learn each other's tendencies.
Luckily for Topeka High, it has taken a step in the right direction in both contests in the opening week of the 2023 campaign.
"We went back to trying to find one another and play for one another," Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. "We have nine seniors and a couple of new additions. We are still trying to figure out how to mesh together with two out of our top three scorers gone from last year's team.
"We are still finding out where we will find the scoring and the movement of that nature. It's all about playing for one another and communicating, and I thought we did a much better job of that tonight."
Junior standout Avery Zimmerman has been a critical component to Topeka High's hot offensive start.
Zimmerman scored four goals on Monday night and added two more against Lawrence on Friday night. Zimmerman also added an assist against Lawrence, giving her two on the season.
"Today, I thought we did a good job of passing through the middle," Zimmerman said. "A lot of through balls worked for us today, especially because our girls were making the runs; we were there. Our team has worked so hard this past week. Everyone comes out with intensity, and we are all in it together with a good attitude. We all set each other up. We are happy for each other and lift each other up, so it's good to see that this early.
"It's very important to get off to a good start. We always want to start out our seasons on the right foot. We started out hot last year and ended up having a really great season. We fell short of our goals last year, but hopefully, we can make it all the way this year.''
Zimmerman wasn't alone in scoring two goals. Freshman Natalie Barnes added a pair of goals and an assist against the Lions. Barnes had her first high school game against Topeka West and, according to Snook, adjusted much better after her first high school varsity soccer game.
"Natalie, being a freshman and scoring her first two goals tonight was good for her," Snook said. "She had a rough game against Topeka West because she couldn't find the back of the net, but she's been working hard. With the upperclassmen and underclassmen working together will only help her."
Lawrence scored the first goal of the non-league matchup 16:45 into the first half. While Lawrence added another goal with 2:32 left in the game, the Trojan backline was stellar, already up three goals.
High's veteran backline plans on bringing its physicality and athleticism with them every game.
"I thought they did really well today," Snook said. "I think they did well cutting down (Lawrence's) through balls and things of that nature. So I'm happy about how they performed tonight in particular."
Up next, Topeka High (2-0-0) will host Salina South on Monday at Hummer Sports Park.
TOPEKA HIGH 4, LAWRENCE 2
Lawrence (0-2) 1 1 – 2
Topeka High (2-0) 2 2 – 4
Topeka High – Goals: Zimmerman 2, Barnes 2. Assists: Shipley, Zimmerman, Barnes.
