The Hutchinson High School boys soccer team rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to defeat Wichita West 3-2 Thursday at the 46th Klaus Kollmai Wichita South Titan Classic.
The Salthawks outscored the Pioneers 2-0 in the second half.
The match was played on the East Field at the Wichita South soccer complex.
Wichita West got out to a 1-0 lead after a foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick.
Hutchinson’s Jair Maciel tied the game up on a long range blast from about 35 yards out. Defensive midfielder Jason Prichard found Jair on the left side of the field and Maciel powered a shot past the Pioneer goalkeeper.
West regained the lead off some miscommunication on the Hutchinson backline that resulted in a one-on-one situation with the Wichita West attacker and the Salthawk goalie just before half.
Hutch controlled the second half as West dropped extra defenders back trying to hold the lead.
The Salthawks won a penalty kick off a West defender handball in the box. Hutchinson senior Osmar Mendez calmly converted the penalty tying the game up at 2-2 with 18 minutes to play.
Hutchinson scored the game-winning goal after a hustle play by junior Damacio Vargas, who found fellow junior Tate England. England fired a shot past the Wichita West goal-keeper for the 3-2 lead.
“With all the rain Wichita got Wednesday evening, it made for a sloppy game,” said Hutchinson boys soccer coach Cidy Vargas. “Not only the field’s condition sloppy, but the play was as well.
“It was not the prettiest game by any means. I was proud of the guys for battling, especially in the second half. It got pretty physical with multiple cards shown.
“In the end the boys found two goals against a team that was sitting back trying to defend the lead. Facing some early season adversity and working through it to get the win is something I believe will help us down the road.”
The Salthawks will play Garden City High School at 1 p.m. Saturday on the East Field.
