WICHITA – Hayden spent all season proving it could handle just about anything, establishing itself as the team to beat in Class 4-1A.

So when storms forced Saturday night's state title game with Rose Hill indoors at Stryker Complex, a few adjustments were required.

But the Wildcats' path to perfection would not be derailed.

Senior Carsyn Broxterman scored the lone goal in the second half, lifting Hayden to a 1-0 victory over Rose Hill at the Wildcats completed a perfect 21-0 season.

“We were ready for anything,” Broxterman said of playing inside and the game starting two hours later than scheduled. “We weren't going to let this take us out at all. We came in and we gave it our best.”

Hayden was coming off an emotional 2-1 semifinal victory over Miege that ended the Stags’ run of nine consecutive state championships. Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer felt his team needed time to adjust to the unusual setting.

“The message was we play the same,” Kreutzer said. “It's the same kind of surface, but with the spectators being so close, the atmosphere is a little bit different, and I think it showed in the way we played the first half.

“We almost peaked too early,” Kreutzer said of the Miege win. “We started a little bit slow (Saturday). I thought it was a little bit ugly, but at the end of the day, we did persevere.”

Hayden controlled much of the play early but was unable to capitalize against a Rockets squad making its first state title game appearance. 

Broxterman put the Wildcats in front 1:25 into the second half, converting Avery Becker's service into the box for the game's lone goal. It was Broxterman's team-leading 28th goal of the season and came in similar fashion as her goal in the semifinal victory over Miege.

“We've just been connecting, we've been talking,” Broxterman said. “Our chemistry on the field is amazing and just having this great team this year really just brings all the pieces together.”

Rose Hill pushed forward in search of an equalizer late, controlling possession and creating several quality opportunities, but Hayden's defense held firm.

“I felt like we were going to get at least one to put it into overtime,” Rose Hill coach Shelby Kaba said. “Unfortunately, it didn't go in. But I'm proud of the girls. That second half we were attacking. That's the way we really wanted to play coming out in the first half, but credit to Hayden. They did a good job defensively.”

“After we scored that goal, (Rose Hill) definitely came out stronger,” Broxterman said. “They definitely wanted it. But I think we really went on lockdown very well. We were covering each other's backs, we were marking our players. Even though we didn't have possession, we were really locking down.”

Kadence Watts played the first half and Lauren Borjon the second half in goal for the Wildcats. The senior keepers combined for their 13th shutout of the season.

Hayden's 10-player senior class was comprised of Broxterman, Borjon, Watts, Grace Funk, Kellyn Specht, Avey Uhl, Delainey Duermeier, Reese Huscher, Kayden Matthews and Ella Foster. It was the Wildcats' fourth title and first since 2015. 

“It's been quite a ride,” Kreutzer said. “All the credit goes to them. I think they've worked hard the whole season. They've stayed focused, and I think losing in double overtime (to Miege) last year stuck with them. Our seniors showed a lot of great leadership.”

The Wildcats are set to return several key players next year including sophomores Hailey Schmidtlein, Sawyer Wrench and Sophia Wichman, freshman Emma Slyter and Becker, a junior.

Signature wins in Hayden's undefeated run included two victories over Miege and a win over 2025 Class 6A champion Washburn Rural. The Wildcats scored 96 goals while surrendering just nine.

“I couldn't have imagined (going undefeated), with the competition we play. It was never on my radar,” Kreutzer said. “It's pretty amazing for them. They did all the work.”

Rose Hill finished 15-6. The Rockets lose just three seniors — Kyia Kelly, Aubrey Moore and Claire Crosby.

“We kind of felt like this was going to be a rebuilding year,” Kaba said. “Last year we had four first-team all-state seniors with two player of the years at defense (Nevaeh Kelly) and midfield (Paige Winter). We have a young team with lots of sophomores and freshmen. We started the season 4-4, played a lot of hard teams up front and they just got better as the season went on. We're dangerous in attack. We ended up with 92 goals this year.

“Just knowing that we can be that attacking team and build off it for next year is encouraging.”