By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the first time this season Topeka West's soccer team trailed in a game Thursday night at Hummer Sports Park.
But after falling behind visiting Seaman 2-1 in the opening half, Topeka West scored the final three goals of the night to take a 4-2 United Kansas Conference win over the Vikings.
Junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera is congratulated by his Topeka West teammates after scoring the final goal in Thursday's 4-2 UKC win over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior JP Ayella had a goal and an assist in Topeka West's 4-2 UKC win over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I think they reacted well,'' Topeka West coach Josh Kutter said of his team's comeback. "You could tell the disappointment initially, but once they got over themselves they came back and continued to stay the course and played our game.
"We know they can score.''
Senior Rylan Harris scored Seaman's first goal in Thursday's 4-2 UKC loss to Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] L
Topeka West, now 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the UKC, took a 1-0 lead just 2:57 into the game on an own goal, but Seaman got goals from senior Rylan Harris and senior Cody Quy to go up by a goal with 22:30 left in the first half.
But West tied the game 2:12 later on a goal from senior JP Ayella and took the lead for good at 3-2 on a shot from sophomore Camilo Garcia with 3:42 left in the half.
The Chargers added an insurance goal from junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera with 31:29 remaining and shut out the 2-3 Vikings the rest of the way.
Gonzalez-Talavera, Ayella and junior D'Ante Smith Dilone picked up assists for West.
Topeka West will return to action Monday, hosting Shawnee Heights in a UKC game, while Seaman will host Piper in a UKC contest next Tuesday.
TOPEKA WEST 4, SEAMAN 2
Seaman (2-3, 1-1) 2 0 -- 2
Topeka West (5-0, 1-0) 3 1 -- 4
Seaman -- Goals: Rylan Harris, Cody Quy.
Topeka West -- Goals: JP Ayella, Camilo Garcia, Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Own goal. Assists: Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, JP Ayella, D'Ante Smith Dilone.
