BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Perennial Western Athletic Conference soccer champion Dodge City stayed unbeaten with a dominating 8-0 victory over Great Bend Thursday at Cavanaugh Field.
The Panthers performed at a high level defensively. Goalie Eli Contreras delivered spectacular save-after-save. Midfielder Ricardo Cruz and defender Alex Alonzo helped slow down the Red Demons by clearing the ball from the scoring zone. Alonzo blocked several goal-worthy shots.
Great Bend featured a starting lineup of Contreras, Cruz, Alonzo, defenders Julian Ordonez, Diego Soto, Luis Gonzalez, Jackson Young; midfielders Victor Reyes, Joel Alcala, Diego Pasos and forward Alex Alcala.
Dodge City showed off offensive balance and teamwork. Zahit Delgado scored a pair of goals. Alejandro Marquez, Javier Morales, Fabian Pinon, Kevin Almendarez, Thomas Vega and Angel Rodriguez scored goals.
"They're disciplined, well coached and tactically sound," said Great Bend soccer coach Chuy Loera. "Every player knows their role and they execute it very well. It's difficult to compete against."
Dodge City (8-0, 4-0 WAC) led 3-0 at halftime before closing the game with a 5-goal second half. The Red Demons featured too much speed and teamwork for the Panthers to defend.
"Defensively, we had a good game plan and stuck to it," Loera said. "We stayed in position to stop their first shot and make them deliver extra passes. Our guys understood their roles."
However, the lack of offense and ball possession cost the Panthers.
"Offensive side, we didn't build an effective attack to keep their attack from our defenders," Loera said. "When you're defending a relentless attack, you're going to give up goals. Eli Contreras had great saves. When Dodge City takes that many shots, some of them will find their way home."
Panther Ricardo Cruz said, "It's very difficult against Dodge City. We defended and played tactically. It helps your team when you save a goal or Eli makes a save. We have a lot of tough teams we face."
The Panthers (1-7, 0-4 WAC) play at Garden City Tuesday and return home Oct. 3.
Dodge City 3 5 — 8
Great Bend 0 0 — 0
1ST HALF—DC—Delgado, assist Pinon; DC—Marquez, assist Solis; DC—Morales, assist Salazar
2ND HALF—DC—Pinon; DC—Delgado; DC—Almendarez, assist Gay; DC—Vega; DC—Rodriguez
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Dodge City 4-0 9-0
Garden City 2-1-1 3-6-1
Hays High 2-2 4-5
Liberal 1-1-1 6-1-1
Great Bend 0-5 1-8
9-26—Dodge City 8, Great Bend 0; Garden City 2, Hays High 1; Liberal 5, Lamar, Colo. 0
MONDAY—Wichita Trinity 1, Hays 0
TUESDAY—Garden City 1, Great Bend 0; Dodge City 7, Derby 1
THURSDAY—Wichita West at Great Bend; Dodge City at Garden City; Hays at Liberal
SATURDAY—Hesston at Hays
