TMP soccer at home for first round of playoffs
By RANDY GONZALES
Not only is the Thomas More Prep-Marian girls' soccer team participating in the playoffs for the first time in program history, but the Monarchs also will have a home game.
That came as quite a surprise to Monarch coach Jairo Arias at Saturday's seeding meeting.
"No, not at all," Arias replied when asked if he thought his squad would open with a home match. "We're really glad to have a home game."
No. 11 seed TMP-Marian (5-8) will play host to No. 14 Wichita West (4-12) at 4 p.m. Monday at TMP field.
The Monarchs have not played Wichita West this season.
"I did a little homework, looked at their schedule," Arias said.
"I really think it will be a competitive game."
The Monarchs have been working on improving their back line in practice. TMP-Marian has surrendered 77 goals in 13 games.
"We've concentrated a lot on defense," Arias said. "We've also concentrated a lot on passing."
Sophomore Emily Volker scored four goals in the Monarchs' last home match, against Wichita Word of Life. She played as an outside midfielder in that game, but Arias plans to move her back to center midfielder for Monday's match.
"I think she's able to do really well as an outside mid when we play teams comparable to us, but when we play good teams she's not able to get away with that," Arias said.
"We want her to get as many touches as we can (as a center mid)."
The program, in its third year of existence, just started playing home games this season. The Monarchs are 2-3 on their home field.
The winner of Monday's match will play at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Wichita Trinity (14-1-1), the No. 2 seed in South Central Region 2. Wichita Trinity was a 10-0 winner over TMP-Marian earlier in the season.
