Kansas high school boys soccer: Derby leans on defense for 6A regional championship
The Derby boys soccer team stayed true to its identity on Thursday night when its season was on the line in overtime of a Class 6A regional championship game against Lawrence Free State.
The Panthers have reeled off a memorable this season by embracing defense and when adversity struck, they leaned on their defense to pull out a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
Through 18 games this season, Derby (15-1-2) has allowed just five goals entering Tuesday’s 6A quarterfinals at Washburn Rural (17-0).
“That is our pride and joy,” Derby coach Paul Burke said. “It may have taken me a little bit to convince them that defense is fun, but we’re sure glad we play good defense now.”
After an up-and-down season last fall, Derby has transformed into an elite defensive unit captained by Xhavier “Gato” Vaquera, the senior in goal, that has claimed an AV-CTL Division I championship and now a regional title.
Another dramatic move that helped solidify Derby’s defense was moving senior Scott Simmons from his role as a midfielder to the team’s stopper at center back.
“He is the absolute man in the back for us,” Burke said. “(Simmons) is one of the best center backs I’ve ever seen. Vocally, he’s amazing. Soccer skills, he’s amazing. He’ll run through a brick wall for you. Without him, I don’t know where we would be.”
The foundation of Vaquera and Simmons were crucial in Thursday’s match when windy conditions almost negated the game down to set pieces. Sophomore Jadan Denesongkham also stepped up in a key defensive role against Free State.
After each team traded scoreless, 40-minute halves with the wind at their back, Derby nearly ended the game in the first overtime when Cole DuBois drew a penalty kick with 26 seconds left. But Derby freshman Angel Vielmas’ attempt from the spot was parried wide of goal to force a second overtime.
“We had to do a little motivation there because after you miss a PK, everybody’s heads go down a little bit,” Burke said. “But it was a good attempt and the keeper made a flat-out, amazing save. We knew we had the wind at our back, so we just went to work.”
Derby brought waves of pressure in the second, 10-minute overtime period until it finally found the break through when senior Caleb Day won a ball in the box and redirected it to senior Andy Denesongkham, who slotted it away calmly for the game-winner from nearly the penalty spot.
“Those dudes were going absolutely crazy and they should for all of the hard work and effort and discipline they’ve put into this season,” Burke said. “They deserve to celebrate when good things happen. I always feel bad for the other team because it was a shame someone had to lose that game. But we’ve come a long ways after being .500 last year to flipping this thing around, it’s been absolutely amazing and it goes back to the hard work and commitment.”
Kansas high school boys soccer regional results
Wichita North 1, Manhattan 0 — The City League champions survived and advanced, thanks to a first-half penalty kick buried by Francisco Lopez to claim a 6A regional title. It proved to be the game’s only goal, as North blanked an 11-win Manhattan squad with a shutout in goal by Jesse Ortiz. The penalty was drawn by Alvaro Quezada after a superb touch pass from Uriel Aguilera-Fernandez to send him through. North (16-1-1) will travel to Dodge City (17-0-1) for Tuesday’s Class 6A quarterfinals.
Kapaun Mt. Carmel 1, Eisenhower 0 — After surviving a difficult non-conference slate, the Crusaders delivered the upset of the night to score a 5A regional title in taking down Eisenhower (14-2-2). The game’s only goal came in the 29th minute when Ben Scognamillo netted the game-winner. Kapaun (9-7-2) will travel to top seed Maize South (16-1-1) for Tuesday’s 5A quarterfinals.
Valley Center 3, Salina South 0 — The brilliance of senior midfielder Cade Martin powered the Hornets to a Class 5A regional championship. Martin netted two goals, while senior Waddie Sanford scored a third to secure the win against the No. 13 seed Salina South. Valley Center (12-5-1) will travel to Bishop Carroll (13-4-1) for Tuesday’s 5A quarterfinals.
Maize South 2, Newton 1 — A second-half set piece proved to be the difference in a 5A regional championship game, as Gavin Bowman’s cross banged off the post and Oliver Jaberg finished the goal to lift Maize South. After the Mavericks took a 1-0 lead into halftime following a goal by Peyton Wilson, Newton (9-8-1) found the equalizer early in the second half only for Maize South to score the winner in the 62nd minute. The Mavericks (16-1-1) will host Kapaun Mt. Carmel (9-7-2) in Tuesday’s 5A quarterfinals.
Bishop Carroll 4, Andover Central 0 — It was a clinical performance by the Golden Eagles, which scored all four of their goals in the first half of the rout to win a Class 5A regional championship. Bergen Loveless and Gage Hosford each registered a brace, while Sebastian Vizcarra doled out two assists. Carroll (13-4-1) will host Valley Center (12-5-1) in Tuesday’s 5A quarterfinals.
Augusta 3, Winfield 2 — One of the more entertaining regional championship games of the night, Augusta held on after scoring two within two minutes late in the first half. Winfield took an early 1-0 lead on a Kyan Towles breakaway in the fourth minute, but Augusta almost immediately equalized when Dominic Rios finished a cross from Payton Ball. The Orioles took control of the game late in the first half when Kaden Kearney scored in the 31st and 32nd minutes, as Connor Inlow and Ball provided the assists. Winfield (11-7) clawed one back in the second half on a goal from Drake Lowe, but could not find a third. Augusta (16-2) will host Topeka Hayden (13-5) in Tuesday’s 4-1A quarterfinals.
Wichita Trinity Academy 5, Wichita Classical 0 — Trinity left no doubt in adding another Class 4-1A regional title to its trophy collection. The Knights were clinical in dispatching Classical, as freshman Cooper Matthews scored a hat trick in the first half and Trinity never looked back. Noah Roberson added two goals in the second second, as the Knights (13-5) will travel to Coffeyville (14-4) for Tuesday’s 4-1A quarterfinals.
Washburn Rural 1, Wichita East 0 — The road upset bid of the undefeated No. 1 seed in the Class 6A West playoffs came to a devastating end for East, which recorded an own goal trying to defend a corner kick early in the second half. The Blue Aces finish their season with a 9-8-1 record.
Coffeyville 2, Buhler 1 — Buhler struck first, but could not hold its lead in a potential upset bid in a 4-1A regional title game. Cooper Taylor put the Crusaders (11-7) on top early in the first half, a lead they held until the 67th minute when Coffeyville tied the game. Five minutes later, Coffeyville would score the game-winner.
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