photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Beckett Weipert dribbles the ball in a regional championship match against Topeka on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Lawrence. Despite slow offensive starts become a common theme for Free State soccer, the Firebirds exploded offensively with three goals in the first half. Weipert scored the first less than four minutes into the match, and the next two goals came in the final 10 minutes of the opening half. The Firebirds scored a fourth in the second half to beat the Trojans 4-0.

Free State boys soccer is quarterfinals bound as the Firebirds beat Topeka 4-0 in the regional championship.

An 11-4-1 regular season record secured Free State’s home field advantage in the regional tournament, and the Firebirds took advantage of it. In two games, Free State outscored its two opponents 9-0.

“I love these guys, I love these seniors,” junior midfielder Miguel Alarcon said. “Being able to put in all the work during the summer and in season at practice for moments like these, it means a lot.”

The Firebirds had a disappointing loss last year to Liberal in the regional semifinal, but the loss only motivated the team. Alarcon said the energy around the program was different from tryouts, and that energy is what has led Free State to 13 wins, nine of which have come consecutively.

“We believe in each other, we all love each other,” Alarcon said. “It means a whole lot to all of us on the team.”

The win puts the Firebirds in the state quarterfinal match against Dodge City. A win there would bring Free State to the 6A semifinal match later in the week.

For as good as Free State has been in the team’s now nine-game win streak, the offense has often taken a while to warm up. On Thursday, that wasn’t the case as Free State scored in the fourth minute. Junior defender Beckett Weipert put the ball through the net on a shot outside of the penalty area.

“We knew Topeka was going to be competitive, and we knew we had to come out with as much pressure right off the bat to disrupt whatever they had planned,” Free State coach Tyson Heck said. “The boys took advantage of it right off the bat.”

While the offense had a quicker start, the defense was a little slower to get going. The Firebirds didn’t relinquish any goals, but the Trojans had a few close opportunities where freshman goalkeeper Charlie Jones had to make some plays in the open field. Heck said that some of the players were a little anxious for the game and got a little too excited, leading to some erratic play.

“We played their game,” Alarcon said. “They controlled the midfield. We tried to play faster than what we play. We just got too worked up, but leadership played a big part in taking control of our guys, knowing that these are our colors and this is our field.”

A few Firebirds came off the bench and instilled some calm for the team. The depth of the team has been a strength as the Firebirds can make changes and substitutions without a drop in performance. On Thursday, that helped the Firebirds take over.

The defense settled in later in the first half, and the game was controlled by Free State the rest of the way. By continuing to press and push, the Firebirds kept the Trojans from holding possession of the ball and creating chances in the final third of the field.

“It was goal No. 2 that you could see the change,” Heck said. “You see the confidence and you see that they’re like, ‘It’s alright. This is our game. We’ve got it under control.'”

The Firebirds scored again when junior midfielder Lenny Marotz had an inside pass to Alarcon for a goal with less than 10 minutes left in the half. The Firebirds scored again when senior midfielder Suret Qutlan passed to Marotz from the right side of the goal to the center, where Marotz put the ball in the net for the goal.

“(It felt) pretty good,” Marotz said. “Celebrating with the fans, that’s special. I enjoy every moment, and I’m proud to be here. I want to help the team win, always. I helped the team, and I’m feeling pretty good right now.”

A three-goal lead didn’t change how the Firebirds attacked the second half offensively, as they were still applying pressure on the Trojans. Free State got its fourth goal late in the game when Marotz created his own shot for a goal with under 10 minutes left in the match.

Free State kept the pressure up until the final buzzer sounded and the Firebirds secured their regional championship.

“They kept pushing,” Heck said. “They competed the whole time. Other than (the slow defensive stretch), the guys were ready to play.”

Free State’s quarterfinal match will be at Dodge City on Monday. Heck told the team before the game that the Firebirds were making history, and that he wants them to play the game in a way that they’d want people to watch and take notes about. To continue in the postseason, the Firebirds will need more of that next week.

“I don’t think there’s a team that can beat us,” Alarcon said. “If we keep rolling like this, if we keep playing with confidence and with pride, we’re going all the way. There’s no other answer: We’re going all the way.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Hady El-Araby runs to the ball in a regional championship match against Topeka on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Ryan Mastrosimone shuffles his feet on defense in a regional championship match against Topeka on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Ryder Konek-Ermey watches his pass in a regional championship match against Topeka on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Kaysun Haque moves on defense in a regional championship match against Topeka on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Lawrence.