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Injury bug riddles THS soccer

By Eric Sorrentino - | Sep 12, 2007

It’s not that the Tonganoxie boys soccer team hasn’t been playing hard lately. The Chieftains just can’t string together any goals.

Tonganoxie lost, 5-0, Thursday against Perry-Lecompton at Chieftain Park. It was the fourth straight game the Chieftains were shut out.

“I think a lack of communication between our defensive midfield and little let-ups that people shouldn’t have cost us,” senior Josh Nowasell said.

It didn’t take long for the Kaws to score. A minute and 23 seconds into the game, Riley Shaffer found the back of the net for Perry-Lecompton. Shaffer finished the game with a hat trick.

“They need to look where they need to move,” THS coach Ken Lott said. “That would help with communication and movement. Right now, it’s going to take awhile. Unfortunately, it may not happen until the last three, four or five games of the season. But I’m expecting to see good things when that does happen.”

Taylor Akagi and John Mehl scored the other two goals for Perry.

Nowasell said he’d like to see more enthusiasm from the Chieftains in upcoming games this season.

“It’s frustrating because when we go down one goal, every person puts their head down,” Nowasell said. “Until we can make a comeback, we’re not going to move forward.”

In moving forward, Nowasell suggested better communication, listening to coaches and to each other and not trying to do everything on one’s own.

The injury bug didn’t help the Chieftains on Thursday, either.

After the game, junior Pat Gallagher had ice taped to his knees. Freshman Jake Willis was on crutches after he twisted his ankle on the field.

There wasn’t a timetable for either player’s return after Thursday’s game.

Junior Jamison Bloomer has been out for two weeks with a hurt groin. Lott said Bloomer could return to practice within the week, though Lott doesn’t’ want to rush Bloomer’s progress.

Lott said his bench — namely junior Ryan Brammer and sophomore Mitch DeHoff — filled in admirably for the injured THS players.

“We’re looking to move some people around and trying to find the right group to put in,” Lott said.

Tonganoxie had its next game Tuesday against Turner, but the game continued past The Mirror’s deadline.

Scoring summary
First Half
Perry, 38:37 — Riley Shaffer goal
Perry, 11:28 — Riley Shaffer goal
Perry, 0:26 — Taylor Akagi goal
Second half
Perry, 27:05 — John Mehl goal
Perry, 5:00 — Riley Shaffer goal