NORTH NEWTON, KAN.
St. Thomas Aquinas reached its ninth straight Kansas girls soccer championship game Friday, beating a shorthanded Maize team 3-0 in a Class 5A semifinal game at Newton-Bethel College Athletic Complex.
The Saints (16-3-1) overwhelmed Maize, scoring all three of their goals after a first-half red card against the Eagles.
“We were on the fortunate end of the red card tonight,” Aquinas coach Craig Ewing said. “We have to use this momentum going into tomorrow.”
In the 29th minute, Kaylee Swanson was called for an apparent handball in front of the Maize goal, leading to the ensuing red card. Aquinas’ Mallory Heying converted the penalty, putting the ball in the top right corner for a 1-0 lead.
In the 33rd minute, sister Katelyn Heying scored on a header off a corner kick from Hallie Klanke, giving the Saints a 2-0 halftime advantage. Seconds into the second half, Klanke received a nice through ball from Anna Woltering and tapped it in past Maize keeper Raquelle Hardin.
Aquinas tallied 20 shots, including 10 in the first half.
Maize had a seventh-minute breakaway by Elizabeth Palmer, but her shot was deflected by Aquinas keeper Nicole McEnroe. In the 65th minute, Maize’s lone second-half opportunity, Makayla Toth appeared to have an open net but Aquinas freshman Kate Goza cleared the ball.
Aquinas, which faces Blue Valley Southwest (16-3-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday, will look to win its eighth consecutive state championship.
“We’re going to bed early tonight,” Klanke said. “We know it’s all on the line tomorrow.”
St. Thomas Aquinas 3, Maize 0
Halftime: Aquinas 2-0. Aquinas: M. Heying, PK, K. Heying (Klanke), Klanke (K. Heying), Shots: Aquinas 10-10—20, Maize-3-1—4. Saves: Aquinas, McEnroe 1-0—1, Hartnett 0-1—1 ; Hardin, 4-6—10