By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
With the wind or against it, the Hays High School girls' soccer team handled what Mother Nature had to offer.
The Indians beat the Panthers and the wind for a 2-0 result against Western Athletic Conference rival Great Bend on Tuesday at the Hays High field.
Great Bend (2-5-1 overall, 1-2-1 WAC) had a wind gusting up to 40 miles per hour at its back in the first half, but couldn't capitalize. The Panthers managed just two shots on goal as the first 40 minutes ended in a scoreless tie.
"Just speaks volumes of our girls buying into that philosophy of this year of pressure, cover, balance," Hays High coach Chris Michaelis said. "It's a team concept, and they've done a tremendous job."
In the second half, the Indians had the wind at their back.
"I said it's not going to be any easier with the wind," Michaelis said.
But the Indians did break through in the 50th minute, scoring on a corner kick. Freshman Lauren Murphy, a left-footer, kicked the ball into the wind and let it take the ball into the penalty area. Senior Jayme Hansen got loose inside the 6-yard box and used her chest to knock the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Lomas to make it 1-0.
"Great ball by Lauren; been able to use Lauren's left foot from that side of the field," Michaelis said. "Obviously, a big asset for us, and Jayme being there at the post, where we want her to be."
Against the wind, Great Bend was unable to mount much of an attack in a bid to get the equalizer. Instead, Hays High (4-3-1, 3-0) scored again in the 63rd minute to dash any Panther hopes of leveling the match.
A Great Bend hand ball led to an Indian set piece for the score. Senior Shelby Sulzman took the free kick from 35 yards out, sending a high ball into the box.
With HHS senior striker Jessie Steffen bearing down on her, a distracted Lomas had trouble securing the ball. Instead, the ball bounced through her hands, over her head and into the goal.
"A big part of that (goal) that people may not realize, I think Jessie Steffen ... created that goal just by that pressure," Michaelis said.
Junior keeper Taylor Patzner made three saves to post the clean sheet for the Indians. Lomas also made three saves for Great Bend.
Hays High entered the match coming off a 1-1 tie after two overtimes at Junction City on Monday.
"I really like the way we responded today after a tough game (Monday) night on the road, getting back late," Michaelis said. "Some of these girls played 100 minutes, didn't come out (Monday) night.
"To come out and play today with the intensity and focus they did speaks volumes of them," he added.
Hays High will continue WAC play on Monday with a 4 p.m. match at Garden City.
Hays High 2, Great Bend 0
Great Bend (2-5-1) 0 0 -- 0
Hays High (4-3-1, 3-0) 0 2 -- 2
Second half
Hays High -- Hansen (Murphy), 50th minute.
Hays High -- Sulzman, 63rd minute.
Goalkeepers -- Lomas, Great Bend; Patzner, Hays High. Shots on goal -- Great Bend 3, Hays High 5.
