EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
Wichita Northwest came to Liberal on a five-game winning streak, but the Grizzlies saw their season end after two first-half goals and a shutout second half by Liberal led to a 2-0 Redskin win and a Class 6A Regional championship.
The Redskins struggled to get quality shots on goal early, and the Grizzly goalkeeper denied several shots to keep his team competitive. But midway through the first half a long shot to the box from Josh Garcia came in high in a horde of players from both teams, and Suain Moncayo jumped up to meet the ball and head it toward the goal. The Northwest goalkeeper reached high to try and reach the ball, but it sailed beyond his reach and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The two teams continued to trade possessions until late in the first half when Diego Pavia received a pass from Johnny Young 40 yards away from the Grizzly goal and launched a hard shot that came in just under the crossbar and into the net for a 2-0 Liberal lead.
The two teams played even in the second half, and the Redskins celebrated a regional title with the 2-0 victory.
“Those group of seniors, I started with them,” Liberal coach Carlos Ruiz said. “It was important for them to buy in. We took some beatings that year. We got the win last year in Derby who was a state favorite. We took the win 2-0 there. This was extra special at home. I told them God has good plans. Suain broke two records. That was part of God’s plan. You want to be a back-to-back Region champion, but this was special.”
The match-ups were different, but Liberal adjusted.
“You have to use every tool we had in our arsenal, whatever the game brings,” Ruiz said. “We are able to adapt from game to game.”
Liberal travels to Topeka Monday to face Washburn Rural in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs. The winner advances to the State tournament which takes place in Wichita.
