By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
There's a long way to go in the 2022 high school girls soccer season, but Hayden certainly can't complain about its start.
The Wildcats played for the second time in three days Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex, with Hayden improving to 2-0 with a 2-0 shutout victory over Cair Paravel Latin.
"It makes me really optimistic for the rest of the season,'' Hayden senior Elizabeth Dunshee said. "I have high hopes and it gives me a lot of confidence to have two wins under our belt.
"I think it's just working together as a team and connecting passes. I think we have the talent. We just have to make sure we're using it and finishing on the opportunities we get in front of the goal.''
Hayden senior Kate Roeder (15) goes airborn over a Cair Paravel player to try to get to the ball in the second half of the Wildcats' 2-0 win over the Lions Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden, with the wind at its back in the first half, scored the game's only two goals before the break, with junior Sloane Sims getting the Wildcats on the board before Dunshee added an insurance goal later in the half.
Cair Paravel had the wind advantage in the second half but the Wildcats were able to preserve the shutout with a strong defensive effort.
"I think the fact that we're experienced back there helps a little bit, with three out of the four starters back,'' Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. "It's like basketball, denying them the ball and if they do have the ball you've got to get in their face because otherwise they're going to shoot it and they're going to do whatever they want to do.
"I thought our reaction was pretty good, a little bit better today.''
Macy Smith and Hannah Schmitz combined for the shutout in goal for the Wildcats.
Cair Paravel Latin freshman goalkeeper Sawyer Schwartz comes up with a save Friday against Hayden as Wildcat senior Elizabeth Dunshee (1) provides pressure. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel, whiich has 12 freshmen and just three seniors on its roster, opened its season with a 6-0 loss to defending Class 4A-1A state champion Bishop Miege on Tuesday before Friday's loss.
"We're just lacking that connectivity between the defense and the offense and it showed today,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. "Hayden, my hat goes off to them. They played well, they're a physical team.
"We just didn't take advantage of our strengths and I felt like we got jammed up. I've got a lot of talent, but it's developing.''
HAYDEN 2, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 0
Hayden (2-0) 2 0 -- 2
Cair Paravel (0-2) 0 0 -- 0
Hayden -- Goals: Sims, Dunshee. Assist: Roeder. Shutout: Smith, Schmitz.
WEST BLANKS SCOTS, 6-0
Topeka West bounced back from a 10-0 season-opening loss to Hayden on Wednesday with a 6-0 romp past Highland Park Thursday at Hummer Sports Park.
Topeka West got two goals apiece from senior Miah Mosher and junior Noelia Valenzuela, while junior Gloria Bolze also scored a goal and the Chargers picked up an own goal.
Mosher and Bella Hopper were credited with assists while Heleena Hutton, Madison Gill and Jayla Webb combined for the shutout in goal for Topeka West.
Topeka West opened up a 4-0 halftime advantage before adding its final two goals in the second half.
TOPEKA WEST 6, HIGHLAND PARK 0
Topeka West (1-1) 4 2 -- 6
Highland Park (0-1) 0 0 -- 0
Topeka West -- Goals: Miah Mosher 2, Noelia Valenzuela 2, Gloria Bolze, Own goal. Assists: Miah Mosher, Bella Hopper. Shutout: Heleena Hutton, Madison Gill, Jayla Webb
