Manhattan High Varsity soccer has now won more games than they’ve lost — winning six and losing five — after beating Topeka High at home 5-1 on Thursday.

MHS had a win under their belts against Hayden (2-0) away on Tuesday going into the match.

“These past two games we got our confidence up a lot from our three-game losing streak,” junior Connor Turner said. “We hope to go 11-5 in the postseason.”

Manhattan went up quickly in the first half from a goal seven minutes in by senior Hunter French, the first of his hat trick. That was swiftly followed up by a penalty won and taken by senior Carter Wiens. French made it 3-0 towards the end of the half. Then Turner put them up another one, ending the half 4-0. Junior keeper Caleb DeLoach again had a multitude of saves during the first half, including one off the line. 

Five minutes into the second half, French broke the school career goals record with his 47th goal as an MHS Varsity player, completing his hat trick. 

“It’s awesome,” French said. “I don’t know what else to say. I’m just really happy.” 

Though this is head coach Mike Sanchez’s first time coaching French on the school team, he has coached him at the club level for many years and was also proud of the achievement. 

“I’m sure that’s exciting for him and his name will be stamped here at Manhattan High soccer,” Sanchez said. “It’s quite an accomplishment.”

Events quickly took a turn when junior Danny Tumara was sent off with a second yellow just minutes later, forcing Manhattan to change their lineup. 

“I think it was a little bit soft [for a red],” Sanchez said, “but … refs are just like… players [and] it’s a moment and an opportunity for them to learn too.”

Directly after the call Manhattan conceded a goal to Topeka due to a miscommunication between DeLoach and the back line, losing their clean sheet to end the game 5-1.

“We possessed really [well] the whole game,” Turner said. “Overall it was just a really good performance.”

MHS will take on Wichita South on Oct. 14 to make up for the rained out game last Tuesday and are expecting a win.