September 30, 2004
Arnie Sharp, coach of the Hesston
College men's soccer team, is excited about his team's performance
thus far this season.
For one thing, the Larks, with
a 3-3-1 record in Region 6, are sitting on top of the West division
of Region 6, "the first time in decades," according to Sharp,
who is in his fourth season as coach. The Larks, 6-3-1 overall this
season, compete in Division I of the National Junior College Athletic
Association.
The West division also includes
Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, Barton County Community College
(Great Bend, Kan.), and Cloud County Community College (Concordia,
Kan.).
The East division includes Johnson
Community College (Overland Park, Kan.), Allen County Community College
(Iola, Kan.), Neosho County Community College (Chanute, Kan.), and
Kansas City Kansas Community College.
The Larks won three regional games
in a five-day span last week. The Larks defeated Dodge City 2-1 Tuesday,
September 21; Johnson County 2-1 Thursday, September 23; and Allen
County 1-0 Saturday, September 25.
Sharp observes a lot of excitement
about the soccer team on the Hesston College campus. "It was
fun to win those three games in front of the home fans."
"We defeated Johnson County
for the first time in 14 years," Sharp explained with a smile.
"We're really excited about being in first place in our division
with a chance to host a home quarterfinal playoff game." Quarterfinal
games are scheduled for October 25-26.
"Overall, we're playing with
a lot of energy and enthusiasm," Sharp said. "We continue
to improve as the season progresses. The team right now is playing
strong defensively. Offensively, we're doing a good job of finishing
the chances we get."
The Larks play the first of their
three remaining regional games on the road Saturday, October 2, traveling
to Cloud County Community College.