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Andover scores early, often

BY TAYLOR ELDRIDGE

Wichita Eagle correspondent

ANDOVER - For maybe just a few minutes, it looked as if the unbeaten Andover Trojans' soccer team was on the ropes.

An innocent leading pass from Andover Central's Sarah Potter turned into Kaitlin Tennyson booming a shot past Andover keeper Rebecca Dinsmore for a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.

"It was something we've been working on, sending the ball up and trying to beat their defense on the back end," Central coach Stephanie Garcia said. "It actually worked very well for us that time."

But Andover's explosive offensive attack was too much for the Jaguars to contain, with Kortney Clifton scoring less than two minutes later to start a string of 10 unanswered goals in Andover's 10-1 victory at Andover District Stadium on Thursday.

"It was definitely a wake-up call," Clifton said. "We kind of had to kick ourself in the butt. We realized that they can score on us. We had to take it back at them."

Clifton's first goal was just a preview of what was to come, as the state's all-time leading scorer finished with six goals in the win. She now has 66 on the season and 242 in her career.

Andover led 4-1 at halftime and was able to fire 27 shots on goal in the game.

Kelsey Clifton added three goals for Andover and Amanda Just scored the Trojans' other goal.

"We work really well together," Kelsey said. "We've been playing together since we were little, so knowing where each other are and communicating on the field is not a big deal."

Andover completes the regular season a perfect 16-0 and will enter next Monday's Class-5-1A Regionals seeded first.

"We hope to have five games left in the season," Andover coach Tracey Repp said. "Now it's down to that simple five games to get to the state title. Being 16-0 is a nice accomplishment. The girls deserve it, especially when we get every team's best shot."


Andover (16-0)4 6 -- 10
Andover Central (9-6-1)1 0 -- 1
First half--Central, Tennyson (Potter); Andover, Ko. Clifton (unassisted); Andover, Ke. Clifton (unassisted); Andover, Ko. Clifton (Ke. Clifton); Andover, Just (Ke. Clifton). Second half--Andover, Ko. Clifton (unassisted); Ke. Clifton (Ko. Clifton); Ko. Clifton (unassisted); Ko. Clifton (unassisted); Ke. Clifton (Just); Ko. Clifton (unassisted). Shots--Andover 16-11--27; Central 1-3--4. Saves--Andover, Dinsmore 0-3--3; Central, Copas 6-2--8.

Kapaun clinches outright title -- Kapaun Mount Carmel clinched the City League title outright with a 3-0 win over South.

Aubrey Coulter scored two goals for the Crusaders, and Victoria Schimming added a goal. Kapaun improved to 13-2 overall and 8-0 in league.

Kapaun 3, South 0


South0 0 -- 0
Kapaun2 1 -- 3
First half--Kapaun, Coulter (unassisted); Kapaun, Schimming (unassisted). Second half--Kapaun, Coulter (penalty kick). Shots--South 0-0--0; Kapaun 9-8--17. Saves--South, Gilchrist 8-6--14; Kapaun, McElroy 0-0--0, Schafer x-0--0.