Olathe East will play for Class 6A state soccer title

The Olathe East boys soccer team continued to show off its experience and craftiness in the first game of the 6A state soccer tournament.

The Hawks handled Wichita East at Hummer Sports Complex on Friday by the score of 4-0.

Olathe East had its first goal when Logan Steen’s header crept past the goalkeeper in the 13th minute.

“It allows your team to establish a little bit of confidence,” Hawks coach Terry Hair said of the first goal.

That goal was followed up quickly by the Hawks taking a free kick from Christopher Lyon who crossed a beautiful ball where Zac Marquess connected with another goal in 17th minute, giving Olathe East an early 2-0 lead.

“I know where he’s going to put them,” Marquess said. “We’ve done that time and time again from club. He’s awesome at it. I can finish it, he can get it there.

The Blue Aces had a good chance in the 37th minute, but a feet-first save by senior Collin Shepard kept Wichita East off the board.

“It could have been easily 2-1,” Hair said.

Shane Kopplin scored a goal in the 53rd minute and Mark Vanlandingham tacked on another one with a big blast in the 58th to make it 4-0.

With the ability to rest a little bit in the second half, the Hawks will be ready for Washburn Rural and chance to play for the title.

“This year it’s a team effort 100 percent,” Marquess said. Everyone plays for their brother. It’s really special. Those guys know what we’re going to do and we know exactly what they’re going to do.”

Washburn Rural 1, BV Northwest 0

The Junior Blues finally broke through in the 67th minute when Austin Halsey hit a left-footed goal that went past the diving goalkeeper Sam Glass.

That proved to be the difference, but coach Rick Pribyl was proud of his team’s effort as they tried to repeat.

“It’s extremely hard to do,” he said. “We thought we had a chance and so did the boys and that’s what counts.”

The Huskies had their best chance of the second half when Peyton Brown’s shot attempt hit off the crossbar.

BV Northwest will do its best to pick itself up and play the third-place game Saturday afternoon.

“Consolation games are kind of cruel,” Pryibl said. “The guys just lost their chance to play in the state championship and that’s tough to come back the next day. But these kids are gamers and I think they’ll be fine.”

BV Northwest, 16-3-1, plays at noon and Olathe East, 19-1, plays in the championship game at 2 p.m.

This story was originally published November 7, 2014 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Olathe East will play for Class 6A state soccer title."