Larks honor sophomores after falling to Dodge City 4-2

Saturday night Hesston College women’s soccer took a tough loss, falling to Dodge City Community College 4-2. Down 1-0 at halftime, the Larks saw Dodge City score three more goals to take a 4-0 lead midway through the second half. The Larks did not give up. They clawed back into the game with Miya Gonda racing through the backline and slotting the ball home in the 73rd minute. In the 80th minute Hesston got another goal, this time some good passing by Gonda and Payton Yehnert opened the door for Connor Atkinson’s finish. Unfortunately this would be it for the Larks as they would come up short 4-2.

After the game the team honored sophomore players whose efforts on and of the field have shaped the program over the past two seasons. These nine players have compiled a record of 20-13 and been leaders on the field and around the Hesston College community. Standing with their parents, friends, mentors, professors, faculty and staff were Connor Atkinson, Paige Baucom, Jenna Boller, Kenzie Johnson, Dakoda Lee, Miho Okuda, Alicia Ramirez, Payton Yehnert and Lindsey Yoder.

The sophomores noted trips the team took to Texas and Colorado, comeback wins, hosting a playoff game and the fun they have had with the coaches and each other as the highlights of their soccer careers at Hesston. This group will finish with several players on the career scoring list – Okuda is currently 5th and Kenzie 6th while Okuda sits in 2nd with career assists. Team defense is also only one shutout away from setting a single season record for shutouts. They should also finish the year with several NJCAA Academic All-Americans.

The coaching staff, faculty and staff thank these sophomores for their contributions to the Larks soccer program and Hesston College.