BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Maize South, last year's 5A state soccer runner-up, showcased its skill and speed at Cavanaugh Field. The powerhouse Mavericks mixed their ball control with lightning-quick offense in Thursday's 7-0 soccer victory over Great Bend.
Standout forward Vitor Geromel assisted on two goals and delivered a goal to spark the Mavericks (6-0). The 6-2 forward was a force in the middle of the Mavericks' offense with his physical presence.
The Panthers (1-4) were unable to take advantage of a 25-mph south wind and trailed 5-0. The Mavericks consistently pressured the Panthers' defense and made an extra unselfish pass to convert five first-half goals. Great Bend travels to Wichita Trinity Saturday.
Great Bend coach Chuy Loera wished the Panthers would've taken advantage of the brisk south wind behind forwards Victor Reyes, Alex Galindo, Ramiro Rocha and Alex Alcala.
"Maize South is a very strong soccer team," Loera said. "We were impatient and played too fast. We've got to play with better discipline and stick to our game plan."
Geromel fed perfect passes to Miles Edwards (3:56) and Tatum Steinhoff (17:22) and converted the third goal off an assist by Alvaro Quezada (18:12). Quezada (14:35) and Daniel Derath (24:49) also scored first-half goals.
Loera was encouraged by improved play when the Panthers played into the wind after halftime. Panther Goalie Mario Enriguez made spectacular saves on rocket shots by Quezada, Gavin Bowman and Declan Caley. He was supported by defenders Damian Mosqueda and Marcos Castanon.
"A few things went our way and our guys stayed in their positions," Loera said. "We played better soccer as the game went along."
Mavericks Gavin Bowman (51:10) and Luke Payne (79:19) scored second-half goals.
Maize South 5 2 — 7
Great Bend 0 0 — 0
1ST—MS—Miles Edwards, assist Vitor Geromel, 3:56; MS—Alvaro Quezada, 14:35; MS—Geromel, assist Quezada, 18:12; MS—Tatum Steinhoff, assist Geromel, 17:22; MS—Daniel Derath; 24:49
2ND—MS—Gavin Bowman, 51:10; MS—Luke Payne, assist Connor Anderson, 79:19
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Dodge City 2-0 6-0
Garden City 1-1 4-1
Liberal 1-1 2-3
Hays High 1-2 4-2
Great Bend 0-1 1-4
THURSDAY—Maize South 7, Great Bend 0; *Dodge City 3, Hays 0; *Liberal 2, Garden City 1
SATURDAY—Great Bend at Wichita Trinity
TUESDAY—*Hays at Great Bend; *Garden City at Dodge City
DODGE CITY (6-0, 2-0)—W Wichita Carroll 6-1; W Newton 2-1, OT; W Wichita North 7-0; W Emporia 3-0; W *Liberal 5-0; 9-15—*at Hays High; 9-20—*Garden City; 9-22—*at Great Bend; 9-27—Wichita Trinity; 9-29—*at Garden City; 10-4—*Hays High; 10-7—Wichita West; 10-11—*Great Bend; 10-14—at BV Southwest; 10-15—at SM South; 10-20—*Liberal
GARDEN CITY (4-1, 1-1)—W *Hays 3-1; W Buhler 4-1; W Goddard 6-3; W Rose Hill 4-3; L *Liberal 1-2; 9-20—*at Dodge City; 9-22—*Hays High; 9-27—*Great Bend; 9-29—*Dodge City; 10-3—at Wichita Heights; 10-4—*Liberal; 10-6—*at Great Bend; 10-10 to 10-13—at Wichita North Tournament; 10-20—Wichita North
HAYS HIGH (4-2, 1-1)—*L Garden City 1-3; W Wichita West 3-0; W Salina Central 10-0; W Manhattan 3-2; W *Great Bend 6-1; 9-15—*Dodge City; 9-20—*at Great Bend; 9-22—*at Garden City; 9-27—Junction City; 9-29—*Liberal; 10-4—*at Dodge City; 10-6—*at Liberal; 10-11—at Wichita Trinity; 10-13—at Wichita Carroll; 10-17—at McPherson Elyria; 10-20—Wichita Classical
LIBERAL (2-3, 1-1)—L Maize 0-2; L Wichita NW 0-1; W Wichita South 10-0; L *Dodge City 0-5; W *Garden City 2-1; 9-22—at Lamar, Colo.; 9-27—Hays TMP; 9-29—*at Hays High; 10-4—*at Garden City; 10-6—*Hays High; 10-10 to 10-13—at Wichita North Tournament; 10-18—*Great Bend (2); 10-20—*at Dodge City
GREAT BEND (1-4, 0-1)—L Wichita Northwest 2-6; W Wichita South 7-2; L Maize High 1-6; L *Hays High 1-6; L Maize South 0-7; 9-17—at Wichita Trinity; 9-20—*Hays High; 9-22—*Dodge City; 9-27—*at Garden City; 10-4—Hays TMP; 10-6—*Garden City; 10-11—*at Dodge City; 10-13—Junction City; 10-18—*at Liberal (2); 10-20—at McPherson
