Even in a season rife with inconsistency, Topeka High's ability to

The Trojans scored twice in the first nine minutes of the second half Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park, continuing their domination of the Chargers. High has lost just once to Topeka West in the last nine years.

After a lively first half produced no goals, the non-league game seemed in danger of repeating the scoreless draw of a month ago. But just 24 seconds after intermission, sophomore forward Blake Schwartz found space on the left corner of the six-yard box, where he turned and slotted his team-leading 12th goal between keeper Cody Shannon and the near post.

"We were a little bit fortunate," said Trojan head coach Stephen Loy. "Their player went in hard on [Schwartz]. He stumbled, and their guy backed off, not wanting a penalty. That gave Schwartz room to work things out."

Eight and a half minutes later, things worked out again, as sophomore Mason Leach tallied his 11th score of the season. Angling in 25 yards from goal on the left side, Leach perfectly weighted a shot over Shannon and under the crossbar to double High's lead. That margin was due in part to a tactical adjustment made after the first matchup.

"I told them to get the ball to the wings, because West fills up the middle well." said Loy. "I told them that at the start of the game, and I had to reiterate it at halftime."

Having earned a quick two-goal cushion coming out of halftime, the Trojans didn't exactly cruise to victory. West actually outshot High 19-10, including two dramatic misses in the closing moments.

With less than eight minutes left, High's sophomore keeper Andrew Dale made his best save of the match, sprawling low to deflect a 15- yard liner off the foot of West's Travis Byers. Shortly thereafter, senior Tyler Hower ripped a shot off the right post, which preserved the shutout for Dale and the Trojans.

High has now now held the Chargers scoreless in all four of their meetings since West's first and only victory two years ago.

Topeka West (7-4-2, 4-1-1)........0....0....---....0

Topeka High (8-4-1, 4-2-1)........0....2 ...---....2

Topeka High --- Goals: Schwartz, Leach. Shutout: Dale.

JV score --- West 2, High 0.

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