SM Northwest falls in Kansas 6A soccer semifinals

Source: The Star

Rich Sugg | The Kansas City Star

Washburn Rural’s Eric Semjenow (right) headed the ball over SM Northwest’s Shawn Miles.

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It didn’t seem likely Shawnee Mission Northwest and Topeka Washburn Rural’s boys soccer teams would see each other again this season.

After the Junior Blues beat the Cougars just over a month ago, Washburn Rural was undefeated and marching toward a state title. Meanwhile, SM Northwest was a sub-.500 team with a three-game losing streak. However, the Cougars had recently won five straight and upset some of the state’s perennial powers, including Olathe East and Olathe South, to force Friday’s rematch in the semifinals for the Kansas 6A championship at the Blue Valley District Soccer Complex.

But again Washburn Rural left SM Northwest feeling sour after sticking the Cougars with a 3-1 loss and putting an end to their improbable run.

“They’re a big, strong, physical team, and they showed it tonight,” SM Northwest coach Todd Boren said. “They were first to probably 90 percent of the balls that were in the air. They were probably first to every second ball, too. The bottom line is, we didn’t man up tonight. They out-played us in the physical aspect. They out-worked us, and they earned three goals off of it.”

Forward Nick Golden put Washburn Rural ahead in the fifth minute after booting a high bouncing ball over the head of SM Northwest goalkeeper Shawn Miles. Just 10 minutes later, Grant Copeland found a weakness in the Cougars’ defense on a corner kick from Anthony Schmiedeler and put the Junior Blues up 2-0.

“Things changed quickly because we got the first goal,” Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. “To take a two-goal lead against these guys is great. They probably haven’t given up more than two anytime this season. To put three on them in a semifinal and get two early is amazing.”

SM Northwest scored its only goal in the 27th minute when Bobby Hoelting found net after receiving a corner kick from Lippi Souza. However, Golden put the game away for Washburn Rural with header in the 67th minute.

Lawrence Free State blanks Dodge CityLawrence Free State struck early in Friday’s other semifinal and claimed its place in Kansas’ 6A boys soccer championship.

Forward Daniel Chance powered a bullet into the Dodge City goal during the third minute and gave the Firebirds a lead they refused to relinquish.

“We had the wind (at our backs), so we knew we had to get goals in the first half,” Chance said.

“Luckily we got one goal, and we held onto it. And we were able to put one more away there at the end.”

The later goal was added on a diving header by Hunter Peirce in the 78th minute

Free State, 16-4, will meet Washburn Rural, 19-1, in the state title match today following the third-place match between SM Northwest, 12-8, and Dodge City, 16-4.

submitted by DANNY STOOKSBURY - 2009-11-06 23:25:01