Tonganoxie High boys soccer team loses game against Kansas City Christian in opener | News, Sports, Jobs

THS lost to Kansas City Christian, 3-1, in the 2023 playoffs. And despite losing some key pieces to graduation from last year’s team, the Chieftains have a great roster, including 20 seniors.

But then came a harsh red card for Tonganoxie in the first half.

Tonganoxie senior Wesley Johnson received the dreaded red card near midfield on the far side and had to leave the game.

“We had to work hard the whole game,” THS coach Jon Orndorff said. “It’s never easy playing a man down. Everything we worked on this week paid off.”

The team fought back to a goalless draw before halftime, but KCC was able to score in the second half and then ran out 1-0 winners.

Tonganoxie continued to have its game stopped often as Panthers players suffered cramps on the field.

THS senior goalkeeper Jose Moreno had a big game, as he racked up “over a dozen saves,” according to Orndorff. His defensive work in net helped keep the Chieftains within striking distance until the final whistle.

“Jose played behind Jackson (McWilliams), but any school would love to have him,” Orndorff said of the starting goalie, who previously served as a backup to four-year standout goalie Jackson McWilliams. “He stepped up. He’s just been good.”

Tonganoxie is also without one of its top players, junior Lachlan McRae, who injured his foot playing basketball over the summer. McRae could return come playoff time, according to Orndorff.

As for Johnson, he had to miss Tuesday’s game against Mill Valley and take an online sportsmanship course. It’s standard procedure with players who receive red cards, per Kansas State High School Activities Association rules, to sit out the next game and complete the online course.

THS will hit the road for the first time on Thursday with a road game at Lansing and then hit the road again next Tuesday at Spring Hill before returning home two days later for a Sept. 12 matchup with Eudora in the Frontier League opener.

Orndorff will look to his large senior class to continue leading the team.

“It’s a huge class of 20 seniors,” Orndorff said. “There are some good seniors in the program. It’s a solid group.”