EHS soccer uses balanced scoring to take 3-1 victory
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 01:47 p.m., May 8, 2008
Updated 01:47 p.m., May 8, 2008
The Emporia High girls soccer team got what coach John Decker called “a big mental boost going into Regional play,” as the Lady Spartans defeated Topeka High, 3-1, on Wednesday in Topeka.
In the regular-season finale, Emporia High benefited from a balanced attack, as three different players scored for EHS.
“We played much better (Wednesday),” Decker said. “We were able to control the midfield and possess the ball.
“We were able to get back to our rotation of our forwards, center mids and center backs, which presents problems for our opponents.”
After a scoreless first 15 minutes of play, Emporia finally got on the scoreboard with two quick goals within a minute of each other.
Ashley Leihsing put in Emporia’s first goal of the game in the 19th minute off an assist from Kelley Bacon, and 34 seconds later, Jessica Decker knocked in a shot off a pass from Brittany Meza, making it 2-0 EHS.
Meza scored a goal of her own in the second half off a pass from Leihsing to give the Lady Spartans a commanding 3-0 edge. Topeka High scored its goal in the final minute of the game.
Emporia (9-6-1) now must wait to find out its seeding for next week’s Regional tournament. The seeds will be determined on Saturday.
Emporia 3, Topeka High 1
Wednesday at Topeka
Emporia 2 1 — 3
Topeka High 0 1 — 1
First Half
Emp — Ashley Leihsing (assist from Kelley Bacon), 19th minute
Emp — Jessica Decker (assist from Brittany Meza), 20th minute
Second Half
Emp — Meza (assist from Leihsing), 56th minute
TH — Ukena (no assist), 80th minute
Game Statistics
Shots on goal — Emporia 12, TH 8. Total shots — Emporia 16, TH 15. Corner kicks — Emporia 6, TH 1. Total fouls — Emporia 8, TH 7. Yellow cards — TH 1.