By BRETT MARSHALL

Special to The Hays Daily News

GARDEN CITY -- A win at Memorial Stadium is a rare thing for the Hays High School boys' soccer program.

Monday's season opener was one of those rare occasions.

Hays High improved to 3-11 at Garden City with a 2-1 win in two overtimes. The Indians last beat the Buffs on their home turf in 2004, a 3-2 overtime win. Hays High's other victory here came in 2001 (1-0).

The Indians rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to send the game into overtime and then won it on a breakaway by junior Soriba Camara with just 50 seconds left in the second overtime.

"It feels good, especially good for these seniors," Hays High coach Chris Michaelis said.

Both Michaelis and Garden City coach Joaquin Padilla had said prior to the game that it always seems like the outcomes have been close.

This one was no different.

Camara, a transfer student from Guinea, won the ball just past the halfway line for a breakaway. Buffs sophomore goalkeeper Cesar Solorzano came off his line. Camara chipped the ball over Solorzano's head, regained possession and softly booted in the game-winner.

"It was the type of game that actually could have gone either way," Michaelis said.

The tying goal came from another new face -- freshman Jordan Windholz, who got a breakaway goal of his own in the 61st minute.

"It was a great goal and he got a great pass from (Camara) who flicked it to him and then he had an easy path to the goal," Michaelis said.

Through the first half, both teams appeared satisfied with testing the other to see what strategies would be employed in the season opener for both sides.

Garden City took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd when junior Toby Dominguez had his own breakaway goal. Each team had three shots on goal in the opening 40 minutes and each had two corner kicks.

The second half, and overtimes, though, seemed to favor the Indians and their aggressive play.

"We had a lot better movement off the ball and we saw the field better," Michaelis said. "We talked about it at halftime. We moved some people around and I think with the chemistry of this group, we found some things that are positive and we found some things that still need to be worked on."

The Indians got strong goalkeeping efforts from both junior Hunter Wilkins, last year's starter, and sophomore Josh Johnson, who challenged for the starting position during preseason. Johnson started and played the first half, with Wilkens in net in the second half and overtimes.

"That's a real comfort to know that both of them can go in there and do the job," Michaelis said of his goalkeepers. "I'm confident in both of them."

Hays High nearly ended the game in the first overtime when freshman Lane Clark scored an apparent goal only to have it wiped out due to offsides. Garden City, meanwhile, saw a shot by Dominguez hit the crossbar and bounce away in the 52nd minute.

"Both teams had their chances to win it in regulation," Michaelis said. "We're just happy to get away from here with a win."

The Indians finished with six shots on goal, and had five corner kicks. Garden City had eight shots and two corner kicks.

Next up for the Indians will be their home opener at 4 p.m. Thursday against Salina Central.