St. Thomas Aquinas dealt Dodge City its first loss in two years. (Photo: Michele Gress)
Dodge City entered the 810 Varsity soccer showcase with a 35-game win streak. The Red Demons left looking to start a new win streak.
St. Thomas Aquinas edged the nation's 12th-ranked team, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon in the second annual 810 Varsity Soccer Showcase at STA high school. Dodge City entered the matchup at No. 12 in the country per USA Today, and the defending Class 6A champions were No. 1 in the state per Top Drawer Soccer.
The Saints, ranked No. 4 overall in Kansas, built a 2-0 lead, but a late barrage by the Dodge City (14-1) made for a wild ending.
The Saints got on the board after a Landon Wirt pass from the right corner in transition found Jack Mason in front of the net for a goal midway through the first half put St. Thomas Aquinas on the board.
Play remained scoreless until Mason connected again, unassisted, right before the 16-minute mark.
But Dodge City finally broke loose on an unassisted Joshua DonJuan goal 15 feet in front of the net with 11:15 left to pull to 2-1.
Two more DonJaun attempts and a shot by Josue Castillo each went over the net.
Dodge kept at Aquinas with a couple offensive flurries, but Aquinas countered with a couple possessions into Dodge territory and preserved the win.
BV Southwest 6, Oak Park 1
The Northmen actually took a 1-0 lead on the nation's No. 3 team, but Blue Valley Southwest eventually pulled ahead, 2-1, at half, then opened up the offense late to remain undefeated.
Washburn Rural 1, Lee's Summit 0
The No. 5 team overall in Kansas and a Class 6A semifinalist took a first-half lead on the Tigers and held on for the win.
SM East 1, Park Hill South 0
The Lancers scored in the opening five minutes, then held on for a win that was shortened to just one half due to storms opening up.