Submitted
SALINA – The Hays High boys’ soccer team continued its hot start to the season on Tuesday, scorching Emporia 8-1 in first-round action of the Salina South Invitational.
The win moved the Indians (3-0-1) into Thursday’s 7 p.m. semifinal game vs. host Salina South (2-1), which beat St. Mary’s Academy 6-2 in the first round. Thursday’s game will be a rematch between the Indians and the Cougars from nine days prior when Hays High won by a 9-1 score.
Hays High struck early and often against Emporia, taking a 6-0 lead into halftime, led by a a hat trick by senior Ivan Maldonado and three more goals from sophomores Mason Shadley (two) and Michael Contreras (one).
Maldonado, who also had three assists in that game, already has nine goals in four games this season.
Senior Ethan Branaman and sophomore Elijah Beougher each scored a goal for HHS in the second half – when Emporia scored its lone goal – to account for the final margin.