TOPEKA — Hayden soccer can now call itself giant killers.
On Saturday, May 30, the Wildcats could be called champions.
No. 1 Hayden defeated No. 2 Bishop Miege 2-1 in the Class 4-1A State Semifinals on Wednesday, May 27.
The win snapped the Stags’ staggering nine-straight state championship run.
“We didn’t necessarily play our best at times, but we persevered,” Hayden head coach Klaus Kreutzer said. “I think they fought through it. I knew that they (Bishop Miege) were motivated, and they’re a good team. We are lucky to be here.”
Bishop Miege started on the front foot, scoring inside the first seven minutes of the game, but Hayden started to regain possession, continuing to poke holes at Bishop Miege’s defense.
The Wildcats equalized in the 37th minute off of a corner. Avery Becker delivered a perfect direct cross to the front post. The ball went through a host of Bishop Miege players and was flicked by Hailey Schmidtlein to the middle of the goal. Carsyn Broxterman met the ball and chested it into the net.
With the game tied, both squads made key plays, controlling the rhythm of the contest. Some big saves were made from Hayden goalkeepers Lauren Borjon and Kadence Watts throughout the game.
Hayden’s game-winning goal came with 10 minutes left on the clock. After a long ball into the box, Hayden tried to control it, but Bishop Miege was the first to try and clear it. The clearance never fully left the danger zone, however.
Freshman Emma Slyter anticipated the play perfectly. After Bishop Miege’s touch, she was first to the ball and wrapped her foot around the ball. The shot bent around a defender and snuck into the corner of the goal. It was a spectacular first touch and a precise shot to give Hayden victory.
“I think we’re so ready. I don’t think we’ve ever been more ready,” Hayden senior Reese Huscher said. “I think getting past them (Bishop Miege), we have proved to ourselves, the state and our community that we are here to win it. We are not here to lose another state championship.”
Hayden’s victory was a rematch of last year’s state championship game, where Bishop Miege won in overtime.
The Wildcats will now try to win their first state title since 2015.
Hayden will face No. 2 Rose Hill (15-5) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita.
Washburn Rural loses in OT heartbreak
No. 2 Washburn Rural was unable to defend its 2025 Class 6A State Championship. The Junior Blues (13-7) lost a devastating game to No. 1 Mill Valley (17-1-2) in the state semifinals on Wednesday, May 27.
Set pieces are always a difference-maker in high school soccer. Mill Valley scored via a corner. The cross was perfectly placed at the middle of the box. The Jaguars fired a header towards the ground, which always makes it a tough save. The shot broke the line for the goal.
Mill Valley will face No. 2 Olathe Northwest (16-3-1) for the state title at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, in Wichita. The Junior Blues will meet No. 1 Garden City (13-6-1) for third place at 10:30 a.m.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Hayden girls soccer punches ticket to Class 4-1A State Championship
