| 1st |
2nd |
Final |
|
| Hesston | 0 |
0 |
0 |
| Dodge City CC | 2 |
0 |
2 |
1st half: 1 DC Kevin Jackson 4:58 (assist Antonio Coria); 2 DC Kevin Jackson (unassisted) 39:22
2nd half: None
Yellow Cards: HC 1 (Joel Lederman)
Red Cards: None
Summary:
Hesston College opened regional play today against Dodge City Community
College in Dodge City.
"We wanted to come out strong today knowing
that from now on games were going to count toward our post season play.
Dodge is the first of nine consecutive Region VI games that we'll play.
Only the top eight out of ten will go to the postseason. So this first
game was important. Dodge has been struggling this season but I knew
they'd be ready to play us."
Dodge City looked like the hungrier team
from the start. Dodge looked quicker to the ball and more aggressive.
It quickly paid off when Kevin Jackson found some space in the box and
pounded in a goal from about 7 yards away. The goal came just 4 minutes
into the contest.
"Unbelievably we looked sluggish from
the kick off. We just didn't look like we were ready to go. We allowed
Dodge to do whatever they wanted. Our defense is strong enough and good
enough that no one should get a goal against us that early in the game."
Hesston quickly tried to come back and
sent a barrage of shots from inside the attacking third but few that
really challenged the keeper.
"We had at least 5 golden opportunities
to score within the first 20 minutes and just couldn't seem to find
the goal. The few that were on goal were right to the keeper. They're
goalkeeper was solid but we really didn't test him."
Hesston at times strung together many
nice passes but Dodge City seem to find a way to keep the Larks off
the scoreboard. With 15 minutes left in the first half Dodge City flooded
the Larks penalty area and Jackson capitalized on the odd man advantage
putting the Conquistadors up 2-0.
"I told our guys that there was no excuse
for that second goal. We just didn't get numbers behind the ball. They
had at least a two man advantage in the box. That is just lack of hustle
on our part."
The
second half was much like the first. Hesston was finding space but now
instead of shots going astray it was through passes going straight to
the keeper. Hesston just couldn't find the range. Dodge City had one
more dangerous opportunity with a scramble on the goal line. But with
the help of Anthony Geissinger and Steve Eriksen, Chris Burkholder managed
to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.
The game ended with the final score 2-0.
The Conquistadors improved to 2-7, 1-5 and the Larks fell to 2-2, 0-1.
"Dodge City played with more energy and
determination than we did. In spite of how poorly we played and the
energy we lacked, had we just finished some of those golden opportunities
early we could still have walked out of here with a win. But if we don't
put the ball on goal and eventually don't put the ball in the back of
the net, we're not going to win any games. Our region is just too strong
for us to give a lackadaisical effort against anyone. We must be better
prepared and play with more desire if we want to be successful at all.
Otherwise it's going to be a long season. We'll try to regroup and get
ready for Garden City on Friday."
The Larks face undefeated Garden City
(5-0) on Friday at 7:30 pm in front of their home fans.
"We always seem to play better under the lights on our field. So hopefully that will enable us to have a better performance."