The Kelly Walsh boys soccer team is finding its rhythm at the right time of year.
The Trojans put the finishing touches on an impressive regular season with a 4-0 shutout of Rock Springs on Saturday at the Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
“Everyone played their positions well and everyone stepped up,” KW senior midfielder Parker O'Neill said. “Kudos to Rock Springs. They played well and pushed us hard, but we came together as a team and played really well.”
Kelly Walsh (12-3-0, 11-1-0 West, Class 4A) and Jackson are tied in the conference standings, so it will be difficult to determine which of the Trojans or Broncs will be the No. 1 seed in the West next week. A tiebreaker will be needed to decide who gets the deal. Regional competition.
“We're going to make sure the people who are more important than us understand that,” said KW assistant coach Mike Jones, who replaced head coach Brian Chadderdon on Saturday.
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Regardless of seeding, KW will once again be a contender for the state title, especially if it continues its recent play. The Trojans are undefeated in state competition except for a 2-0 loss to Jackson on April 26, and Saturday's shutout was the fifth time in their last six games.
Junior Beau Barkley led KW to the goal in the 13th minute with a close-range shot off a long pass.
As the Trojans and Tigers (8-6-0, 7-5-0, 4A West) traded early scoring opportunities, senior goaltender Kason Adsit leapt in a free kick in the 18th minute. I made the save to keep it 1-0.
That all changed in the second half.
KW had 22 shots after halftime, compared to Rock Springs' one, and Tigers keeper Seth Atkinson had 13 shots on goal. At one point, the Trojans had five corner kids in a row.
Sophomore Ethan Leslie made it 2-0 in the 45th minute with a low line drive past Atkinson off an assist from O'Neal. Senior Britton Butler scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute, and Leslie tied it with a goal in the 77th minute.
“We had a lot of different people step up in a lot of different positions and really started to work on what we needed to do,” Jones said. “A lot of credit to Rock Springs. They're a good team and they've always played hard against us. So for them to come out and perform like they did today…congratulations to these kids. .”
Injuries and illnesses forced the Trojans to combine their lineups throughout the season, with Butler, O'Neal, and Leslie all forced to miss games, but all were healthy to play against the Tigers.
“It seems like everyone was dealing with something during the season, but everyone is back and giving their best to regionals,” O'Neal said.
Kelly Walsh's Ethan Leslie controlled a sideline throw-in during the Trojans' 4-0 shutout of Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Parker O'Neal dribbles past Rock Springs' Cristian Perez during a game against the Tigers on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex in Casper.
During the Trojans' 4-0 win over the Tigers at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper, Kelly Walsh's Emmy McNutt attempted a shot, but Rock Springs' goalie, Blocked by Carly Nandrup.
KW's Bethany Strand fights for control of the ball during a 4-0 win over Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper.
Kelly Walsh's Sydney Stephens attacked and deflected a Rock Springs defender during a game Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Peyton Hill attempts a shot during a game against Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Aspen Shelk celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half against Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex.
Kelly Walsh's? He tried to avoid a sliding tackle by Rock Springs' William Hamilton during Saturday's 4-0 win at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper.
Britton Butler scores on a penalty kick in the second half of Saturday's 4-0 win over Rock Springs at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex in Casper.
Kelly Walsh's Ethan Leslie controlled a sideline throw-in during the Trojans' 4-0 shutout of Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Parker O'Neal dribbles past Rock Springs' Cristian Perez during a game against the Tigers on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex in Casper.
During the Trojans' 4-0 win over the Tigers at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper, Kelly Walsh's Emmy McNutt attempted a shot, but Rock Springs' goalie, Blocked by Carly Nandrup.
KW's Bethany Strand fights for control of the ball during a 4-0 win over Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper.
Kelly Walsh's Sydney Stephens attacked and deflected a Rock Springs defender during a game Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Peyton Hill attempts a shot during a game against Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex.
Kelly Walsh's Aspen Shelk celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half against Rock Springs on Saturday at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex.
Kelly Walsh's? He tried to avoid a sliding tackle by Rock Springs' William Hamilton during Saturday's 4-0 win at KW's Tom Stafileno Activities Complex in Casper.
Britton Butler scores on a penalty kick in the second half of Saturday's 4-0 win over Rock Springs at KW's Tom Stafileno Activity Complex in Casper.
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