How Washburn Rural girls soccer will try to make its 10th consecutive final four trip
TOPEKA — The Junior Blues needed a change of style a few years ago. It is one of a few ways that head coach Brian Hensyel has evolved over his illustrious career as head coach of the Washburn Rural girls soccer program.
The team relied heavily on scoring off of set pieces and dragging games out with hopes of securing a game-winner. Now, Washburn Rural (13-3) plays a style known as tiki-taka, translated to touch-touch.
The possession-based way of playing allows free-flowing movement starting from Hensyel’s backline.
That is where the Junior Blues thrive.
The defense has allowed just nine goals this season, which included a 10-game clean sheet streak. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Flood has been flawless between the sticks and her ability to organize her teammates on corners and set pieces have been equally as important.
Topeka High baseball: Why the Trojans are not 'succumbing to' pressure but welcoming it
They pass out to the wings from the defense, and the ball moves from side to side. Hensyel wants to dominate possession and keep the ball away from their opponents. It has worked well with Destiny Higgs shining on the ball in the middle of the field.
“We can’t rely on set plays to beat the teams in Kansas City. We have to keep the ball a little bit,” the coach said. “If they have 80 percent possession and you are hoping for a chance, it is just not the way to win games.”
The emphasis on this playing style is to compete with Kansas City-area high schools in the state tournament. The Junior Blues want to play on their level and they have for the most part.
Washburn Rural is aiming for its 10th straight trip to the final four. But it has yet to claim the ultimate title: a state championship. The Junior Blues hope to break the streak and win it all with their impressive defense and ball control.
Vote: Who is the Topeka area's high school athlete of the week for May 6-11?
“We have really stressed moving the ball from side to side and to try to put the pressure on other teams,” Hensyel said. “To be tough defensively and to make it tough for teams to score.”
While the defense has been unstoppable, quick starts on the offensive end have been an area that needs improvement, according to Hensyel. Goals have come in bunches and he wants that to occur earlier in the game rather than later.
Kate Hinck and Erika Bovell have led the line for the team. Once the team starts scoring, more goals often follow.
“It has been a struggle for us to have that energy. It’s a hard thing for us to work on in practice,” Hensyel said. “We are trying to get off to fast starts because once this team gets a goal, second goal, they start feeding on that.”
Soccer is a fickle sport where one mistake can doom a season. Preparation is key and the Junior Blues have certainly taken the regular season seriously. For their efforts, they will play at home in the regional tournament and state quarterfinal — a reward they received as the No. 1 seed.
State tennis: Cair Paravel's Fay reaches goal, Hayden's Blaser, Luke find 'connection'
The state tournament will also be played in Topeka at Hummer Sports Park, a familiar spot to many. Despite failing to win the crown in the past nine iterations, it is safe to say that many programs envy Washburn Rural’s pursuit of a 10th straight final four.
“100 percent,” Hensyl agreed with a smile.
Washburn Rural opens the regional tournament by hosting No. 16 Haysville Campus (3-13) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
If they advance, the Junior Blues will take on No. 8 Wichita Northwest (9-7) or No. 9 Wichita East (9-7) for the regional title on Thursday.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural girls soccer pursues 10th straight KSHSAA final four
