Rural soccer returns to 6A state

By Paul Carr

The Capital-Journal

After a rare blowout win over Junction City on Tuesday, the Washburn Rural girls soccer team returned to form Thursday night in squeezing out a 1-0 victory over Manhattan in a Class 6A sectional championship match.

The sole goal came after Abbey Weddle, from 20 yards out on the left side, ripped a shot off the crossbar. The ball ricocheted inside the box to speedy freshman Melanie Hall, who wormed it between the post and Indian keeper Meghan McCaffrey in the 21st minute.

"Melanie adds a lot to this team as a substitute," a relieved Rural coach Lionel Suarez said. "Because of her speed, other teams often have trouble adjusting to her coming off the bench."

From that point on, it was business as usual for the Junior Blues, who have won 12 of their 15 victories by two goals or less.

"It's a repeat of the entire year," Suarez continued. "We get a lead and sit on it, and we always seem to win by one or two goals."

Following the score Washburn Rural, the top seed in the sub- state, continued to pressure the Indians defense. The Junior Blues nearly put the game out of reach late in the second half when senior Jenna Lawless flicked a shot over a fallen McCaffrey, only to see it cleared off the goal line neatly by Kelsey Thomas.

Rural was dominant offensively, as indicated by a 15-8 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. The Junior Blues constantly attacked down the flanks, pinning the Indians back and forcing them to rely on the counterattack for offensive chances. Manhattan had only sporadic scoring opportunities, virtually none of them quality, against Washburn Rural's solid defense.

With Amanda Prosser's three-save shutout, Rural's 1-th of the year, the Junior Blues not only avenge an early season tie, but also reach the state quarterfinals, where they have seen their last two seasons end.

"It feels great." Suarez raved. "Now we look to take the next step."

The next step will come on Tuesday, when Washburn Rural will face an yet-to-be determined opponent for the right to play in the semifinals next weekend in Overland Park.

Manhattan (9-7-1) 0 0 --- 0 Washburn Rural (15-1-2) 0 1 --- 1 Washburn Rural: Goal --- Hall. Shutout --- Prosser.

North ousts Trojans

OLATHE --- After narrowly escaping its first-round Class 6A match on Tuesday, Topeka High couldn't pull the Houdini act again Thursday.

The Trojans, who beat Leavenworth in a shootout on Tuesday, had no answer for Olathe North's Lindsay Vaught in the regional finals. Vaught scored three goals, giving her a school-record 35 for the season as North rolled to a 6-0 victory. The Eagles led 2-0 at halftime.

Topeka High finished the season 9-7-1.

EMPORIA 2, DODGE CITY 0 --- At Emporia, Tina Commons and Andrea Ohlman scored for Emporia as the Spartans defeated Dodge City in a sectional championship. The Spartans are now 15-3-1.

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