Tonganoxie boys soccer puts up strong fight against defending state champs before falling, 4-0
Photo illustration by Britany McWilliams
The Tonganoxie High boys soccer team is led by a big group of seniors this year. Pictured, front row, from left, are Aiden Van Middlesworth, Jackson McWilliams and Caeder Albert; second row, from left, are Brendan Bowlin, Gavin Shupe and Gannon Sonntag; back row, from left, Wyatt Garvey, Luka Gvaramadze and Lachlan Bond.The Tonganoxie High boys soccer team faced a defending state champion Tuesday in its season opener.
Mill Valley went 17-1-1 in 2022 and won the Class 6A crown, the Jaguars’ first state title in program history.
THS held its own for much of the match in Shawnee.
MVHS scored in the 27th minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime about 13 minutes later. The score remained the same for much of the second half, but then the Jaguars put the match out of reach. Mill Valley rapidly scored three goals — one in the 68th minute and two more in the 69th — on its way to a 4-0 victory.
THS senior Andrea Columbino nearly put the Chieftains in the lead in the 13th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar.
Mill Valley graduated 17 seniors from last year’s squad, so the Jags had a different look than last season. THS had to deal with injuries Tuesday, but subs stepped up.
“Overall I am proud of he boys and the result,” THS coach Jon Orndorff said in a postgame post at blastathletics.com. “They worked their tails off and didn’t give up against what some would say is the best team in the state in all classes. I think these guys have the chance to be special.”
Orndorff said goalie Jackson McWilliams was player of the game after securing some big saves in the match. He had 18 saves against the Jaguars.
He noted that Lachlan McRae and Gavin Shupe also had standout performances.
Tonganoxie (0-1) next will take on Lansing (0-1) at 6 p.m. Thursday at Beatty Field in the home opener. The Lions are coming off a 2-1 loss at Eudora.