Spartans roll to 4-0 victory in first round of regional tournament
The Emporia High soccer team came to Tuesday’s regional opener with the aggressive mentality coach Angel Cornejo wanted to see. An easy shutout win later, and the Spartans are headed to Salina Central for Thursday’s regional championship match.
Alex Guevara had three second-half goals, adding to a Jose Rios score in the first half, to give Emporia a 4-0 victory over Hays at TRYSA Soccer Complex. Not only did the Spartans win, they also grabbed control of the game with a take-charge style Cornejo felt had been missing in recent matches.
“I told the seniors that I didn’t want this game to be their last,” Cornejo said. “And I said, ‘Guys, the last few games, we’ve been playing too relaxed. There’s no time to relax anymore. You have to come and have the will to play, be ready to play. I really want the best out of you. I want you to be strong, play physical and come and bring everything you have.’”
Rios’ score came off a pass from Luis Guzman at the 28:13 mark of the first half. Rios leaped in the air to head the ball inside the near post past Hays goalkeeper Jared Wasinger. The Spartans (9-6-1) had a few other narrowly missed scoring opportunities, including one by Adam Sanchez in the middle of the box in the final seconds of the first half, but took their 1-0 lead to intermission.
The second half belonged to Guevara. First, on a Gary Rivera free kick from near midfield, Guevara corralled the ball in the box and got it past Wasinger with 31:05 left in the game.
Rivera picked up another assist on Guevara’s next score four minutes later, finding him down the far side. Guevara dribbled toward the end line, then scuttled around two defenders and released a left-footed shot inside the near post, giving Emporia a 3-0 lead with 26:35 left in the second half.
With 7:43 left, Guevara took a pass from Guzman and got off a left-footed line drive shot that rocketed over Wasinger’s head. The ball glanced off Wasinger’s hands and across the line for the Spartans’ final score.
“The team was playing really well,” Guevara said. “We were confident, and that helps a lot, too.”
Salina Central (15-2) will present a daunting challenge for Emporia on Thursday in the regional title game. But the aggressive effort the Spartans showed against Hays (5-11) is what they’ll need to do again to have a chance at an upset.
“They were ready to go,” Cornejo said. “I had some kids come into my classroom and say, ‘Cornejo, I’m ready to play today. I’m gonna give 100 percent.’
“I’m like, ‘Yeah, don’t tell me — show me.’ And they did.”