By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Monday night’s Centennial League soccer matchup between Hayden and Topeka High was a defensive battle for 71:15 at Hummer Sports Park before junior Jill Lenherr knocked in the game-winning goal to give the Wildcats a 1-0 victory.
Hayden junior Jill Lenherr scored the game-winning goal in the second half Monday night, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 Centennial League decision over Topeka High. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Borjon (right) picked up the shutout in goal Monday as Hayden took a 1-0 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Both backlines provided tremendous resistance against the opposition. Still, in the end, freshman Carsyn Broxterman made a stellar pass to Lenherr for the goal, which spoiled Topeka High’s night late in the second half and gave Hayden the win.
“I was happy with the win even though I thought we struggled at times,” Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. “Topeka High is a good team, and I thought we were able to create some good opportunities against them. We didn’t do well in taking care of those opportunities but having said that, (we) stayed with it and persevered in the end. We need to keep working.
“I think with Carsyn (Broxterman) passing the ball; it was a great look on her part and a great run on Jill’s part. Jill finished it well. A lot of times, you can get there and give it up to the goalkeeper, so the goal was satisfying.”
Freshman Lauren Borjon, who has split time between the pipes with freshman Kadence Watts this year, recorded the fourth shutout for the Wildcats this season. Borjon didn’t face immense pressure on Monday night but capitalized on the opportunities to help Hayden get the victory.
The Wildcats, who improved to 5-3-1 overall and 2-1-0 in the Centennial League, are a young squad that is learning on the fly quickly. Two out of its three losses were by a 1-0 margin, and the team hopes to continue building on the success they’ve experienced this season.
“Hopefully, we continue to build on the things that we’ve done well,” Kreutzer said. “We had a couple of tough games last week, and I hope we remember the good things we’ve done. Then, we’ll keep going from there.”
Topeka High (5-5-0, 0-2-0) has been plagued with injuries in the last two weeks. But, even with the lack of numbers, the Trojans are battling every time they step on the field, which is something Topeka High coach Derek Snook knows his team will do on a nightly basis.
“I’m pleased with the all-around effort despite having very few subs,” Snook said. “Hayden did what they needed to. They had opportunities, and we had very few. So I’m satisfied with the effort, just not some of the things that come with the effort. We’re missing passes, getting behind the defense and not following through on balls.
“The effort in the defensive third, the middle of the field and the attack were a little lacking. But the girls went out there and busted their tails. I’m hoping that getting people back will help us out. Unfortunately, we had another centerback banged up tonight. We will see if we can get healthy in the next couple of days and get after it again on Thursday.”
Hayden’s next contest will be a home match against non-league opponent Baldwin City on Thursday. Topeka High will get a home match on Thursday as well as they will host Centennial League rival Junction City.
HAYDEN 1, TOPEKA HIGH 0
Hayden (5-3-1, 2-1-0) 0 1 – 1
Topeka High (5-5-0, 0-2-0) 0 0 – 0
Goal – Hayden: Lenherr. Shutout – Hayden: Borjon.
