HAYS — With two starters back from injuries, the Great Bend High School girls’ soccer team roughed up Thomas More Prep-Marian in Hays for a 5-1 victory.
“We controlled the ball almost all the time,” GBHS head coach Gus Prieto said. “We made maybe 20 shots in the first half, but we only got two goals.”
Brandi Schneider got the scoring started with an assist from Abbi Arias, and Morgan Harwood followed with an assist from Kenzie Sinclair, who was playing in her first game since fracturing her hand earlier in the season.
In the second half, Great Bend, which is 3-8-2 overall this season, scored three more times before the Lady Monarchs ruined the shut out with five minutes remaining.
“I moved some people around in the second half because we play again (today),” Gus Prieto said. “We pressed a little more in the second half.”
Sinclair scored the first goal in the second half, getting along pass from Berenice Prieto.
Christina Hernandez scored on a free kick, and Schneider punched in the final goal on a penalty kick.
Gus Prieto said that his team got a boost from having Sinclair and Sandy Hernandez, who returned to play center defender for the Panthers.
“(Sinclair) had ankle problems, she hurt her ribs and she fractured her hand,” Gus Prieto said. “She has been out for a week. She’s tough. I have her and Sandy back as well.
“I gave them some minutes today to see how they’d do. They did very well. They’re not 100 percent yet, but they are getting better.”

                                                                                  — Kevin Price