By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
It’s no secret that Topeka High’s soccer team has been stellar lately.
Topeka High’s 9-0 victory over Wichita Heights Wednesday night and Tae Thomas’ second straight game with a hat trick has the Trojans rolling.
Topeka High senior Tae Thomas scored three goals for the second straight game as the Trojans advanced to a Class 6A regional final with a 9-0 win over Wichita Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High sophomore Avery Zimmerman (2) is congratulated by teammate Haley Carpenter after scoring a goal in Wednesday's 9-0 win over Wichita Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High’s complete team effort has been a staple in the team’s recent hot streak.
The Trojans (12-5-0) have outscored their last two opponents (Emporia and Wichita Heights), 16-1.
“We were just trying to find areas we could exploit,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “We started out a little slow in the first half. We would go on to make some key adjustments at halftime and I think the offense showed up even more in the second half.”
Thomas has been a sensational attacker for the Trojans in the last two contests. The senior has put together back-to-back three-goal contests making life much easier and less stressful for Topeka High.
“Tae has been one of our clear leaders for us,” Snook said. “She is just shooting the ball with ease over the last couple of games. She has exceeded our expectations. She lifts everyone up with the way she goes about her business. Her attitude is always great and her play is as well.”
Avery Zimmerman and Luxanna Sands are playing at a high level on offense as well as Thomas. Zimmerman and Sands have netted a combined five goals over this two-game stretch.
“Most of the team is playing its best soccer of the year,” Snook said. “Cierra (Carranza), Avery, Molly (McGuire), Faith (Shields), Luxanna, Haley (Carpenter) and everyone else is playing great. This is a perfect time to be playing our best.”
The lockdown defense has been a thorn in the opponents' side the entire year. Lately, teams have been struggling to come up with any answers to get in Topeka High territory. Shields, McGuire and the Trojans have been more confident in forcing opponents to turn the ball over.
The first Trojan to put a goal on the board at Hummer Sports Park on Wednesday night was Thomas. Teammate Haley Carpenter assisted Thomas 10:05 into the first half.
Thomas would repay the favor with an assist to sparkplug Zimmerman to give High a 2-0 advantage with 17:36 remaining in the first half.
Thomas would separate herself from the charging Wichita Heights defenders and give Sands an open opportunity to score. Sands would capitalize on the perfect pass and the goal would give High a 3-0 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Topeka High would go on to double their lead from the halftime break before the contest would end.
Zimmerman would get her second goal of the night right away after the halftime break. It only took Zimmerman 5:11 to give Topeka High a four-goal advantage.
After Zimmerman hit her second goal, Thomas would collect her own second goal. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, High’s leading scorers would make this a blowout.
McGuire is known as a fearsome defender, but she is also important to the offensive flow that High has. McGuire would join the goal fiesta with a slick goal four minutes after Thomas’ second.
Carpenter, Carranza and Thomas would all net in a goal each before the clock expired in the second half.
Up next, Topeka High (12-5-0) will host Garden City (11-5-1) at Hummer Sports Park on Friday night.
TOPEKA HIGH 9, WICHITA HEIGHTS 0
Wichita Heights (5-12-0) 0 0 – 0
Topeka High (12-5-0) 3 6 – 9
Goals: Topeka High – Thomas 3, Zimmerman 2, Sands, McGuire, Carranza, Carpenter. Assists: Topeka High – Carpenter 3, Thomas 2, Salomon-De La Torre. Shutout: Topeka High – Trupp.
