The WACO Warriors rolled to a 7-0 victory over Wapello in Southeast Iowa Super Conference soccer Thursday. WACO had a commanding 5-0 lead by the time halftime came around, and they never slowed down from there.

Senior Keiran Luitjens and juniors Nick West and Tristan Luitjens scored two goals each for the Warriors. Tristan Luitjens had a team-high two assists, while Keiran Luitjens and junior Levi Bachman recorded one assist each.

Junior Niles Reichenbach added a goal and senior Owen Wolf made three saves at goalkeeper as WACO wins its conference opener and starts the new season 2-0 overall. The Warriors next play Monday against Fairfield.

The Columbus Wildcat boys would not have the same fortune to start conference play, suffering an 8-1 loss Thursday to Mediapolis. A 5-0 deficit by halftime was too much to overcome for Columbus, who drops to 1-1.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union girls also fell to Mediapolis 2-1. While senior Frannie Sosa did get them on the board in the second half, the Wildcats would already be trailing 2-0 by that time.

Sophomore Iris Garza got the assist, while junior keeper Sarai Martinez made six saves. Columbus/WMU will try avoid starting the season 0-3 when both Wildcat squads next play Monday at Mount Pleasant.