By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Topeka High soccer extended its winning streak to five games after a 6-0 romp plast Topeka West on Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park.
After a hard-fought battle with Shawnee Heights on Monday, Topeka High took the field again just 24 hours later and fought through the short turnaround to improve to 10-3 on the season.
“We have some tired legs, but we keep continuing to go out and do our job,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “Fighting through fatigue and sore bodies has been one of this team’s biggest strengths. They keep impressing me and they are doing everything they can to win for each other.”
Topeka High senior Tae Thomas (left) advances the ball in Tuesday's 6-0 Centennial League soccer win over Topeka West. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Continuing their recent hot streak, the Trojans dominated Tuesday's game against the USD 501 rivals.
“We really pulled through today,” Topeka High midfielder Luxanna Sands said. “We had a nice team-bonding moment in the locker room before today’s game and I think we do a good job of playing for each other.
"When that trust and bond with your teammates is good, it reflects your play on the field. We are confident, but we are also cautious. We expect the highest level of intensity every time we step out on that field. We have to match that every time.”
Topeka High was solid on both ends of the field against West, including assists on five of the Trojans' six goals.
“Our team chemistry has never been better,” Topeka High senior captain Tae Thomas said. “As the season went by, we feel our confidence has gotten a lot better. It’s a lot better than the start to our season. In our last five games, we’ve pushed ourselves to win these games.”
Topeka High goalie Keira Trupp recorded a shutout while Molly McGuire, Faith Shields and the rest of the defense only allowed Topeka West to get in High territory a total of seven times.
Sands and Avery Zimmerman each had two goals while Haley Carpenter and Thomas had one apiece.
“I think I had a pretty solid night,” Zimmerman said. “I could’ve done a better job, but I think I did a good job of feeding my teammates. My defense in the middle was better tonight than it was last night. The momentum we have earned over the last four or five games is kind of outweighing how tired we are. We are all excited to be here and we are excited to play for each other.”
The barrage of goals started early in the first half for the Trojans.
Topeka West’s defense was playing well, but it was a difficult task to hold back red-hot Topeka High.
Thomas kicked in the first goal of the day at 11:55 into the first half with a slick assist from Sands.
Less than 10 minutes later, the teammate’s roles would be reversed. Thomas would set up Sands for High’s second goal of the day.
Zimmerman would give Topeka High some separation with a header in the goalie’s box, which was filled with bodies. Topeka High would lead by three goals going into the halftime break.
Three minutes into the second half, Carpenter would score High’s fourth goal of the night and her third goal in two days.
Sands and Zimmerman would add on late goals before a majority of Topeka High's junior varsity team took over with 17:25 left in the second half.
Topeka High will host Seaman on Friday, while Topeka West (4-9) will host Shawnee Heights next Monday.
TOPEKA HIGH 6, TOPEKA WEST 0
Topeka High (10-3) 3 3 – 6
Topeka West (4-9) 0 0 – 0
Topeka High -- Goals: Thomas, Sands 2, Zimmerman 2, Carpenter. Assists: Thomas, Sands 2, Carpenter, Zimmerman. Shutout: Trupp.
