By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Things got a little crazier at the end than Topeka High soccer coach Derek Snook probably would have preferred, but the Trojans achieved their only objective Monday night, advancing to a Class 6A regional final with a 2-1 win over Wichita Southeast at Hummer Sports Park.
With the win, Topeka High improved to 9-6-2 and earned a spot in Thursday's regional championship game at Dodge City against the winner of Tuesday's game between defending 6A state champ Dodge City and Wichita West.
"I was proud of the effort for sure,'' Snook said. "I'm pretty proud of these boys, the way they've fought and the effort they've put out. A win's a win and we keep moving.''
Topeka High soccer coach Derek Snook (center) talks to his team after Monday's 2-1 Class 6A regional win over Wichita Southeast. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After a scoreless first half, Topeka High got second-half goals from junior Aiden Morrison and sophomore Victor Mesta to take control, but Southeast (8-8-1) certainly didn't go quietly.
Trojan sophomore goalkeeper Logan Murray came up with a big save after Southeast was awarded a penalty kick with just 39 seconds remaining, but the Buffs got on the board with 17 seconds left on a goal from senior Eddy Rachedi to cut High's lead to a goal.
Time ran out on Southeast, however, with the Buffs unable to get a shot off before time expired.
"Logan made a heck of a save and we may have fallen asleep on that corner kick,'' Snook said. "But it's a good win and you win and move on. I think we played a heck of a game.''
High's Morrison broke the scoreless tie with 26:04 left in the game and Mesta put the Trojans up 2-0 with 3:39 remaining. Mesta's goal ended up being huge, particularly after Southeast's late score.
TOPEKA HIGH 2, WICHITA SOUTHEAST 1
Wichita Southeast (8-8-1) 0 1 -- 1
Topeka High (9-6-2) 0 2 -- 2
Wichita Southeast -- Goal: Eddy Rachedi.
Topeka High -- Goals: Aiden Morrison, Victor Mesta.
HIGHLAND PARK 9, KANSAS CITY-SCHLAGLE 3
Highland Park played the first end of Monday's regional doubleheader at Hummer, with the Scots winning a play-in game 9-3 over Schlagle to keep their season alive.
With Monday's win the Scots improved to 6-10-1 and will play at Bettis Family Sports Complex Tuesday (6 p.m. start) against 12-4-0 Shawnee Heights.
The winner of Tuesday's contest will move on to a regional final on Thursday.
