BY JIM MISUNAS
After Great Bend’s Oscar Martinez and Chiny Sanchez scored first-half goals in 63 seconds, it was easy to think the Panthers would roll past Hays High for the second time.
But Indian all-league Tragdon McCrae scored on a penalty kick as the Panthers held off Hays High’s rally 2-1 in Tuesday’s Western Athletic Conference soccer game at Cavanaugh Field.
The Indians kicked up their intensity level to push the Panthers (3-4, 2-1 WAC), who won their third consecutive game after an 0-4 start. Great Bend returns home Thursday to challenge defending WAC champion Dodge City.
Hays played more aggressive on the ball and pushed their attack up the field after halftime. The Indians played a more physical style, but the Panthers kept their cool and never responded with excessive fouls.
“We knew it’d be a tough game. It’s a rivalry game,” said Great Bend coach Jesus Loera. “This victory came down to a great effort and playing smart soccer. We played hard and tough, and played with great discipline.”
The Panthers played a near-perfect first half, using touch passing to dominate time of possession with the oppressive heat index at 102 degrees. They worked the ball superbly from side-to-side to keep the Indians chasing the ball defensively.
Assist wizard Jaime Arellanes created both scoring opportunities with creative play. Oscar Martinez centered the ball to Arellanes who touched it to Sanchez for a goal at the 21:38 mark.
Just over 60 seconds later, Arellanes lofted a perfect corner kick that Martinez converted past goalie Connor Teget for a 2-0 lead.
“Jaime is a player who has really improved his skill,” Loera said. “He’s got the right ideas, doing exactly what we need him to do.”
Loera was pleased how the Panthers executed every phase of their game to control the game for 60 minutes.
“We were pleased the whole game,” Loera said. “Hays held the momentum at times. When emotions ran high, we kept composed. We showed maturity and emotional growth from last year. That’s a big step forward for us. We’ve learned from those moments.”
The momentum shifted halfway through the second half when the Panthers were whistled for a hard foul near the goal, triggering a penalty kick. McCrae booted the ball low past Panther goalie Alberto Leyva at the 18:49 mark.
The Panthers missed several decent scoring chances off a series of corner kicks. Arellanes missed the best chance wide left when Hays goalie Connor Olson wandered away from the goal.
