BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend’s crisp soccer performance kept the Hays High Indians within range for nearly a half. But a goal by Indian Dani Willeford 1:55 before halftime delivered a 3-0 Hays lead at Cavanaugh Field.
The Indians maintained the momentum with four second-half goals for a 7-0 Western Athletic Conference soccer victory. Great Bend (2-8, 0-7 WAC) travels to Dodge City Thursday.
Great Bend hung close with accurate passing and ball control by Arely Reyes and Yulisa Valdez. Valdez created the Panthers’ best two scoring chances. Midfielders Joselin Pando, Jennifer Enriquez, Jillian Reimer and Evelyn Luna also contributed solid play.
The Panthers held their own by maintaining control of the ball in 60 degree weather with 10 mph north winds.
“We showed good energy that first half,” said Great Bend soccer coach Margarita Ayala. “We passed the ball really well on the ground.”
Indians Caroline Robben, Katie Dinkel and Arely Maldonado each scored two goals. Midfielder Claire Humphrey was the Indians’ sparkplug with three assists. The trio of Robben, Dinkel and Humphrey created their scoring magic time-after-time.
Panther goalie Casandra Enriguez returned with a solid performance after missing playing time. She was assisted by Sage Simon, who saved a goal with an alert clearance. Panthers Mayra Ramirez, Eva Garcia and Jazmin Calzada delivered key defensive plays.
Hays High (9-2, 4-1 WAC) used superior quickness and excellent passing to break down a Panther defense that lost its intensity after halftime.
“Fatigue was a big factor in the second half. The girls got tired,” Ayala said. “What hurts us is not having enough depth to give players a break. They started to get frustrated and started clearing the ball instead of playing the ball. They started getting rid of the ball.”
Robben’s first goal (8:59) was followed by Dinkel’s first goal (31:02) on back-to-back assists by Humphrey. Willeford’s goal (38:05) was a backbreaker when it appeared the Panthers would be down 2-0 at halftime.
Maldonado (47:48) and (52:50) scored goals on assists by Dinkel and Humphrey. Robben (50:18) and Dinkel (74:11) converted their second goals.
Hays High (9-2, 4-1) 3 4 — 7
Great Bend (2-8, 0-7) 0 0 — 0
1ST—H—Caroline Robben (Claire Humphrey), 8:59; H—Katie Dinkel (Humphrey), 31:02; H—Dani Willeford, 38:05.
2ND—H—Arely Maldonado (Dinkel), 47:48; H—Robben, 50:18; H—Maldonado (Humphrey), 52:50; H—Dinkel (Katie Gutierrez), 74:11.
GOALIES—H—Julia Zimmerman; GB—Casanda Enriguez.
