Tonganoxie girls soccer jockeying to host playoff match

Eudora snapped the Tonganoxie High girls soccer team’s four-match winning streak Thursday, but the Chieftains still entered this week’s competition with a 7-6-1 record.

Tonganoxie faced Kansas City Christian (12-2) on the road Tuesday after The Mirror’s print deadline and then Thursday in Topeka against Hayden (7-6).

The Cardinals and Chieftains were scoreless Thursday for much of the first half, but Eudora pulled ahead with a corner kick with 11:39 left in the half. The Cards scored again about 4 minutes into the second half and then 10 minutes later for a 3-0 victory.

Natalie Loving scored about 3 minutes left at the 23:36 mark to make it 3-1, but Eudora scored a final goal with 11:22 left and held on for the 4-1 victory. The win moved Eudora to 8-5-2 on the season.

“We’re getting ready for playoff soccer playing a high-caliber team,” THS coach Jon Orndorff said after Thursday’s match.

He said the team sees how it matches up as it prepares for a playoff run.

THS had been on a nice winning streak in which it shut out four straight opponents. Tonganoxie defeated Turner (6-0), Bonner Springs (2-0), Heritage Christian (2-0) and Paola (6-0).

Against Turner, Macie Murray scored 2, Miley Maxwell 2, Paityn Van Middlesworth 1 and Baylie Igleheart 1. Natalie Loving also had 3 assists.

Loving and Igleheart scored a goal apiece against Bonner and Heritage Christian. And against Paola, Loving (3), Murray (2), Kayla Thornton (1), Maewell (1) and Lilli Sanders (1).

THS currently is the No. 7 seed in the Class 4-1A East Bracket.

The Chieftains currently are in line to host a first-round playoff match and have scored 45 goals and been scored upon 25 times.

TEAM STATISTICS

Goals

Natalie Loving, 12

Baylie Igleheart, 7

Miley Maxwell, 7

Lilli Sanders, 5

Kayla Thornton, 4

Grace Weatherford, 2

Charli Moberly, 1

Assists

Natalie Loving, 16

Kayla Thornton, 2

Paityn Van Middlesworth, 1

Lilli Sanders, 1

Baylie Igleheart, 1

Shots

Natalie Loving, 35

Lilli Sanders, 19

Miley Maxwell, 18

Kayla Thornton, 15

Grace Weatherford, 13

Baylie Igleheart, 11

Macie Murray, 5

Elena Edholm, 3

Harlee Morando, 2

Payton Waters, 1

Saves

Jaylynn Sparks, 60