Tonganoxie’s Class 4-1A regional semifinal against Maranatha Christian Academy was supposed to start at 6 p.m. Monday, but school officials moved the match up to 4 p.m. due to anticipated impending weather.

Heavy rain hit the area when around the amended start time, so players of both teams had to wait out the weather. Somewhere between the original start and the earlier start time, the squads hit the pitch and the match was able to start.

Tonganoxie, 7-6-1, and the No. 7 seed in the 4-1A East Bracket, built a 4-0 lead in the first half against No. 10 MCA (5-9) and never looked back. THS went on to win, 9-2, as sophomore Natalie Loving also set a school record for goals in one match (6) and in a season (19) and assists in a season (18).

The single-season record previously was 18 set by Anna (Soetaert) Garcia, who graduated in 2019 and then played at University of Saint Mary after THS.

THS coach Jon Orndorff said after Monday’s match that he learned of the record during the team’s inaugural alumni scrimmage Saturday at Beatty Field. The former THS standout competed for the alumni team and got to chatting with the current THS coach and the record eventually came up in conversation.

Tonganoxie got off to a sluggish start Monday, but still was able to build a 4-0 lead against the Eagles. Loving had three of the four goals in the first half, while Harlee Morando had the fourth. Loving had three more in the second half and Kayla Thornton two goals. Loving had three assists on the night. Others notching assists were Paityn Van Middlesworth, Miley Maxwell and Baylie Igleheart.

“We started off slow,” Orndorff explained. “You could tell we were in a rain delay. Our legs weren’t quite moving.

“After 20 minutes, we started kicking and finding the back of the net.”

Asked about his message to the team during the rain delay, Orndorff said he told his squad to “be adaptable.”

“It doesn’t matter when you play, you still have to play,” he said. “Just step out and play the game.”

THS defeated Maranatha, 8-3, earlier in the season and was able to sweep the Eagles on the season Monday. Orndorff got the victory against his alma mater where he also coached the girls team for four seasons. He guided the program to its first regional title back in 2019.

Orndorff now will try to lead the Chieftains to a regional title Thursday in Prairie Village against No. 2 Kansas City Christian (13-3), a squad THS defeated last week, 1-0, on the Panthers’ home turf.

THS will try to go for another sweep and secure a regional title against KCC. But Orndorff knows a sweep can be a tall task, especially after getting the slim 1-0 victory on May 13 at KCC.

“It’s going to be a tougher game than the first round for sure,” Orndorff said about the rematch.

He said the Panthers will have an advantage with their field being more narrow.

“It’s tight and compact,” Orndorff explained. “We’ll simulate the next two practices and find a way to move the ball around.”

Monday’s victory also marked the first postseason victory for this year’s senior class.

“It’s a really good group,” Orndorff said. “I’m proud of the seniors sticking around all these years and finally getting their playoff win.”