Hesston vs. Garden City CC
Sept. 16, 2005 Hesston, Kan.

1st Half: 1 GC Josh Weber (assist Jeremy Mallak) 34:56

2nd Half: None

Yellow Cards: HC 1 (Felipe Tafur); GC 3 (Jeremy Mallak, Hugo Blanco, Shane Neises)

Red Cards: None

Game summary: The Hesston College Larks were looking to come back off their dismal performance against Dodge City CC on Wednesday.

     "We really have no competed well in the last two games. We were fortunate to win the game against Benedictine, but not so fortunate against Dodge. Really, had we done a better job finishing against Dodge we might have still come out with a win. But in some ways maybe it's better that we didn't win. It's forced us to really look inward. I told the guys Thursday in practice that if we continue to play like we have the last two games we won't beat anyone. But if we play with passion and desire and a sense of team and school pride we're capable of beating anyone. I firmly believe that."
      Both teams looked ready to play. The game from the start was tough and physical. Maybe a little too physical as Hesston's Brazilian sensation Emanuel Batu was taken down hard and had to come off the field just 5 minutes into the contest.
      "Emanuel is a strong player for us. So I was worried when he had to come off. He was able to go back on but you could see that he was playing with a limp."
      Both Hesston and Garden City we're looking dangerous at times but both teams were struggling to get in good shots. Justin Weaver had the first good opportunity for Hesston as a strong attack landed the smooth forward from Lancaster, Pennsylvania near the penalty spot but a hurried shot whizzed by the left post. Two minutes later the strong, steady Felipe Tafur had another good opportunity for the Larks but this time the ball sailed wide right.
      But it was Garden City who got on the board first. Jeremy Mallak worked hard to win the ball in Hesston's defensive third. Mallak seized the opportunity to drive a nice ball to a wide-open Josh Weber who headed the ball cleanly into the upper left-hand corner.
      "I was excited to see us play with such intensity. We hadn't played with that much desire since the Bethel game. We had a couple good chances but couldn't find the range. And then unfortunately one defensive breakdown cost us a goal."
      The Larks looked undaunted by the set back and continued to play with intensity. The half ended with the score still 1-0.
      The second half started much the same as the first. Both teams fighting for space and the ball. The Larks were able to move the ball well at times but were stoned each time by the strong Broncbusters defense.
      "We did well to move the ball up the field but once we got in the final third things broke down. Partly we weren't being very creative on the attack and partly Garden City did a good job shutting us down near the box. At times it looked like we were one good pass or one good touch away from a good shot on goal, but it never came."
      Late in the second period Garden City looked to go up another goal but were denied when Chris Burkholder made a leaping save on a ball headed toward the upper right hand corner.
      "Chris came up big for us a couple of times. I'm not going to blame my team if my keeper has to save our hide once or twice a game. That's to be expected at any level. I thought that except for that one defensive breakdown that lead to their goal we did a good job defending. It's our attack that needs work."
      The Larks mounted a strong attack in the last 10 trying desperately to get the tying goal but to no avail. The whistle blew and the game ended 1-0.
      "We're naturally disappointed that we lost, but overall I was pleased with our effort. We found that hunger and desire to compete again. We really need to work on being more creative in the final third and cleaning up some sloppy passing at times. Garden City is a good team and they fully deserved to win. I still think we can compete with anyone in our region if we just go out each game mentally and physically ready to play. Now that we know what it really means to compete I think our practices will be more productive and we'll continue to improve."
      The Larks fall to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in regional play. Hesston is back in action next week to face Region VI opponent Cloud County CC on Wed. September 21 at 4:00pm in Concordia.