Game Report
Hesston vs. Johnson County CC
Sept. 23, 2004, Hesston, Kan.

1st half:  1 HC Jared Widmer (Eric Bixler) 20:03

2nd half:  1 HC Jared Widmer (Eric Bixler) 54:45; 1 JC Austin Dowling

Shots:  HC 7 (5 SOG); JC 8 (3 SOG)

Saves:  HC 2 (James Ward); JC 3 (Duane Kahler)

Yellow Cards:  HC Brandon Davis; JC Doug Stelle, Serkan Sener

Red Cards:  HC Felipe Tafur (2 yellow cards)

Coach's Summary:  Is it possible to have two perfect nights in a row for soccer? Well, apparently it is. Another gorgeous autumn evening in the heartland of the country. No wind, cool temperatures, and a large crowd were the stage for the "David vs. Goliath" match up of Hesston College vs. Johnson County Community College. 
       Hesston coach Arnie Sharp said, "Every year Johnson County is the team to beat. But it has been 14 years since we have been able to do it. Hesston's last win against JCCC was in the postseason of 1990, a 2-1 victory. They have been the measuring stick in the past. If you can beat Johnson you can beat anyone in the region."
       Coming off their inspired win over regional foe Dodge City the Larks were playing with renewed confidence and a hunger for more victories. The Cavaliers from Johnson County came with a hunger for wins as well as they sit with only wins and one tie in their first six games.
"Johnson's record is deceptive. They have played some very tough teams and had some very close games. I had no doubt they would again be strong this year."
       Both teams came ready to play but it was Johnson that controlled the game early. Some very nice one touch passing and quick movement had the Larks scrambling a bit to start the game. But Hesston soon countered with some nice passing of their own. It was the Larks who would get the first and best dangerous opportunity on goal. A foul at the top of the Cavaliers box early in the half and the Larks almost caught Johnson flatfooted. Felipe Tafur set the ball down and took a quick free kick before the Cavaliers could get set. Tafur hit the ball well to the corner of the net, but JC keeper Duane Kahler got just enough of his fingertips to the ball to knock the ball up against the cross bar and away.
       "As soon as we got that free kick I was just hoping that the guys would get organized and make the most of the opportunity. But Felipe made a very smart play and just took it quickly before their team could get set. I could not believe that ball didn't go in the net. I think that opportunity gave our guys a real lift. Johnson for the first time in my four years here at Hesston looked vulnerable and our team had hope," said Sharp.
       Johnson continued to pass and move very quickly, but the Larks to their credit stayed poised and organized. Each attack was thwarted by the strong play of Hesston's back four - Eric Schmucker, Steve Eriksen, Aaron Martin, and Greg Hostetler.
       "Our backs are really playing well lately. We have corrected a few fundamental problems and the guys really understand their roles better. They are really gelling and it is great to see. Their play gives the rest of the team confidence. Michael Armstrong's play in the defensive mid has really been strong as well. He fills in gaps nicely and gives us that strength in the center of the field. I am really pleased with his play over the last two games."
       Twenty minutes into the first half Hesston's hope would turn to joy. Eric Bixler's hard deflected shot just outside the eighteen gave the Larks a dangerous corner kick. Bixler took the kick and sent a low line drive to the near post for an elusive Jared Widmer to head into the side netting. With the 1-0 lead early in the match Hesston played more and more inspired as time wore on.
The second half began much the same way the first half did. Johnson moved the ball well in the middle of the field forcing the Larks to adjust quickly. But Hesston was up to the task as they continued to stymie the Cavaliers play in the final third. Just nine minutes into the second half, some poor play in the back for the Cavs led to Widmer intercepting the ball deep into Johnson's half. A quick pass to Bixler led directly to a hard shot on goal. Kahler did well to deflect the ball wide, but Widmer was quicker to the ball than the Johnson defenders and slotted the ball into the empty net.
       "Eric did a fantastic job tonight of creating opportunities for us and helping us keep possession. Widmer is just on a roll. He has scored all of our goals this week. Much of it is just intelligent hard working play enabling him to be in the right place at the right time. And when he is getting opportunities he is making the most of it. Jared has had some sweet goals and some easier goals, but it has all been a result of his unrelenting effort on the pitch."

        Johnson could not get good opportunities on goal but they were given hope when Felipe Tafur was sent off with his second yellow card with about fifteen minutes remaining in the match. Now up a man the Cavaliers looked to turn things up a notch.  "Losing Felipe for the rest of the match is troubling enough because he is just such an awesome presence for us up front. His strong play really creates problems for opposing teams. But to make matters worse now we were down a man for the rest of the match against one of the best teams in the region."
       Hesston desperately hung on as the Cavaliers attacked now with a sense of impending urgency. James Ward dominated the box as the Cavaliers attempts to penetrate into the box were gobbled up time after time. However, with just over four minutes remaining, the Cavaliers crowded the box and were able to deflect a cross into the net to move within one goal.
       The goal sparked new life into Johnson County. Johnson used their man advantage well moving the ball in and out and across the field hoping to find gaps in the Larks defense that was more and more resembling a giant barrier. However, the Larks did manage one final attack on goal even down a man. Some crafty footwork and great vision by Bixler was enough to pry into the Johnson backfield. Brett Brand took Bixler's nicely threaded pass and went at the Cavaliers' back line. The cross from Brand fell just beyond the reach of the speedy Jared Widmer.
       Johnson continued to attack and looked to play balls into the box. But Hesston was not about to let this opportunity to beat Johnson slip away. The Larks worked furiously for the final minutes as the clock became their greatest ally.  The buzzer sounded and the long fourteen year drought ended. "Hesston 2 Johnson County 1 on September 23, 2004" will be long remembered for the players, coaches, students, faculty, and staff of the small Mennonite school in the heartland.
       "I couldn't be more proud of my players. Every player for us did an outstanding job. I could go down the entire list and talk about the great individual contribution that each player made, but the bottom line is that we played as a team. We believed in ourselves and worked hard for each other. Johnson may have had the better possession during the bulk of the game but we played smart. We played tough and we wanted this game more than they did. This was not a fluke win. We clearly deserved it, but I would love for other teams to think it was a fluke."
       The Larks take on another tough Region VI team Saturday when Allen County Community College comes to town for the Hesston's homecoming weekend. Saturday's game will be at 3 p.m.