April 20, 2024

GCHS soccer stuns Topeka in regionals

Topeka, KS-No matter how you slice it, Garden City was heavy underdogs going into Tuesday’s regional playoff opener at Topeka High School. 

Fortunately, none of that mattered in the end. 

Makaylee Longoria scored on a penalty kick with four minutes to spare in the second half, and the Buffaloes knocked off fourth-seeded Topeka 2-1 on the road. 

“It was our best game of the season,” defender Marisol Ortiz said. “There was no question about that.”

The win sets up a showdown with Dodge City in the regional finals on Thursday at 6 p.m.

“We came together as a team,” Ortiz said. “That’s what was really exciting about this win.”

Lauren Dietrick got Topeka on the board first with a goal in the 34th minute. They led 1-0 at the half. 

But the Buffaloes countered in the second half as Longoria found the back of the next in the 41st minute.