BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Third-year Great Bend girls soccer coach Noel Rodriguez is optimistic the Panthers will continue to improve in 2026.
The Panthers (5-9-3, 0-7-1 WAC) finished 5-2-2 in non-league matches, beating Buhler, Junction City, Wichita Independent and Wichita Home School and tying Salina Central and Wichita Independent. Two years ago, Great Bend (4-13) defeated Hays Thomas More Prep 11-1 and 6-1, Junction City 3-0 and Wichita South 9-0.
A 7-year "losing" streak for the Great Bend soccer girls in the Western Athletic Conference League is finally over. After getting outscored 46-2 in 2025, the Panthers narrowed that gap to 43-6 last year. The Panthers forged a 1-1 tie with Dodge City against the league’s second-best team.
The Panthers snapped a 40-match WAC streak without a victory with a shocking 2-1 opener against Hays High. The Panthers beat Dodge City 2-1 in 2019.
Great Bend coach Noel Rodriguez believes that first WAC victory will boost the Panthers.
"We're looking for a winning season," Rodriguez said. "WAC will always be in our sights to compete for. I’m excited to see the girls perform."
Returning three-year starters are Grecia Dominguez and defender Melissa Gutierrez. Second team All-WAC Xali Arias made a dazzling first-year debut while leading the Panthers in scoring.
"Xali Arias will be back for her second year hungry for more goals up front," Rodriguez said. "We'll add some freshmen to the varsity squad. We expect great minutes from them."
Second team midfielder All-WAC Teegan Guerra, midfielders Natalia Rodriguez, Valeria Cuevas, Brissa Leyva have started games for two seasons.
"Brissa Leyva will help lead the midfield," Rodriguez said.
Junior second-team All-WAC Araceli Aguilera will lead the defense. Standout goalie Dominquez will be backed up by sophomore Paige Trendle. Defender Arieth Sanchez will contribute on the varsity level.
"Melissa Gutierrez will lead the defense along with Araceli Aguilera," Rodriguez said.
Two years ago, Brissa Leyva (6 goals); Natalia Rodriguez (4 goals) and Teegan Guerra (3 goals) led the Panthers.
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—0—GK Grecia Dominguez; 13—MID Brissa Leyva; 15—DEF Melissa Gutierrez; 22—DEF Alejandra Castruita, DEF; 26—MID Roxana Rodriguez
JUNIORS—2—MID Genesis Leyva; 7—DEF Alexis Simon, 8—MID Teegan Guerra; 5—MID Yesenia Pulido; 6—F Allison Loera; 10—DEF Natalia Rodriguez; 10—F Destany Lopez, 11—F Greidys Moreno; 16—DEF Brooks Bodine; 17—MID Valeria Cuevas; 20—DEF Araceli Aguilera;
SOPHOMORES—1—GK Paige Trendle; 3—Arieth Sanchez; 6—F Samantha Escobedo; 7—MID Joanna Sanchez; 12—DEF Kaylee Armendariz; 15—MID Wendy Juarez; 18—F Fernanda Ayala; 24—F Xali Arias; 25—MID Kaylee Espino; 33—F Olivia Loera
NINTH-GRADERS—16—F Hallie Rodriguez; 17—DEF Yaretzi Gonzalez; 19—DEF Jaylene Valles; 19—F Delaila Santana; 21—DEF Alejandra Ayala; 23—DEF Noemi Valenzuela; 25—F Roxanna Alonzo; 26—DEF Njeri Garcia; 28—DEF Isabella Perales; 40—MID Priscila Rodriguez
SOCCER SCHEDULE—W *Hays High 2-1; W Wichita Independent 6-0; L Buhler 1-2; W Topeka West 8-0; 4-3—at Salina Central; 4-7 *at Liberal; 4-9—*Garden City; 4-14—Salina Central; 4-16—*Liberal; 4-20—*at Garden City; 4-23—Junction City; 4-28—*Hays High; 4-30—*at Dodge City; 5-6—Wichita Southeast; 5-13—*Dodge City; 5-15=4—at Junction City; 5-18-21—at 5A regiona
TOPEKA Great Bend's soccer team continues to accomplish goals one amazing game at a time.
The Panthers dominated Topeka West 8-0 in a rare Wednesday game after leading 7-0 at halftime.
Alexis Simon and Delailia Santana led the scoring with a pair of goals. Others scoring goals were Yesenia Pulido, Kaylee Espino and Kaylee Armendariz. Topeka West contributed an own goal by a defender.
Espino started the scoring (3;00) followed by the Chargers handing the Panthers a goal for a 2-0 lead (6:20). Santana's first goal (8::00) was followed by SImon's first goal (9:30). Armendariz scored (12:00) and Espino added her second goal. Armendariz fed Simon with a perfect pass for a 7-0 halftime lead.
Pulido ended the game with the Panthers' eighth goal.
