May 3, 2024

GCHS soccer advances to regional final

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-All season long, the Buffaloes have had to climb out of early holes. 

On Tuesday, Joaquin Padilla’s team made sure that was not the case. 

Freshman Jesus Garcia scored two goals, and Garden City seized the early control in a 3-1 victory over Hutch in the opening round of 6A regional play at Buffalo Stadium. 

“It felt good to start fast,” Padilla said. “It’s something that’s been a problem for us: scoring early in matches. We were able to accomplish that in this one.”

Garcia put the Buffaloes on top first with a goal in the seventh minute before Salvador Bustos coated the lead with a score in the final four minutes of the first half. 

Garcia then put the match away three minutes later with his second goal of a Bustos assist. 

Hutchinson scored their lone tally in the final four minutes on Carter Downing’s goal. 

Garden City has won four straight and improved to 11-6 on the season. They will host Derby in the regional finals Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Buffalo Stadium.