By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Little offensive success. Several communication breakdowns. An apparent goal taken away.

Overall, Tuesday wasn't a good performance for the Hays High School boys' soccer team.

"We took a step back," senior Thayne Griffin said.

The Indians lost 5-0 to Salina Central at the HHS field for their fourth straight defeat. The Indians had just two shots on goal, compared to 15 for Salina Central. The Mustangs were in control throughout the contest. The margin tied a 7-2 loss to state power McPherson on Sept. 4 for the worst defeat this year.

"We are a young team," first-year head coach Zach Michaelis said. "The last couple teams that we have played have been a little bit more experienced. I knew coming into today's match that Salina Central is going to be well-coached. They pass and move the ball like an experienced and older team does."

Salina Central (7-2) scored in the 11th minute on a pass from Ryan Ingrassia to Jack Shoup. Ingrassia delivered a 25-yard cross from the left side and Shoup knocked it in from a few yards out for a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Blaine Knox delivered another goal from about 12 yards away. HHS had trouble defensively and keeping a consistent mark on Salina Central's attackers.

"We didn't communicate as well as I would like," Michaelis said.

"That definitely helped them out as far as their passing and moving, because if you don't communicate and let your teammates know runners are going, from an offensive perspective, it is a lot easier to beat that defense if you are not communicating."

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, John Hall delivered a left-footed kick from five yards out for Salina Central's third goal. Sixty-four seconds later, Shoup scored for a 4-0 lead, while Daniel Blevins tallied the final goal in the 73rd minute. Hays High (3-7) was held scoreless for the third time this season.

"We just have to get someone to score," Griffin said.

Hays High's best scoring opportunity came after the final buzzer. Joaquin Guzman took a shot stopped by Salina Central goalkeeper Tanner Rohrer. Griffin collected the rebound and booted it into the back of the net. At first, the officials ruled it a goal, but after consulting with the official scorer, the call was reversed.

Griffin's shot was ruled to have gone in after the clock ran out.

"From what I was told, the right call was made and that is what I needed to go with," Michaelis said.