1st |
2nd |
Final |
|
| Hesston | 0 |
1 |
1 |
| Allen County | 0 |
0 |
0 |
1st half: no goals
2nd half: 1 HC Alan Peachey (James Ward) 47:22
Shots: HC 8 (4 SOG); AC 12 (4 SOG)
Saves: HC 4 (James Ward); AC 3 (Matt Dalpini)
Yellow Cards: HC Michael Armstrong; AC Dibose Mazia
Red Cards: AC Dave Robbins
Coach's Summary:
Hesston College had many activities planned for this homecoming weekend.
Not the least of which was a regional soccer match between Hesston and
Allen County Community College. The Larks are coming off two great wins
over Dodge City and Johnson County. One more consecutive win would find
the Larks on top of the Region VI West Sub-Region. (To see regional
scores and standings go to http://www.kjccc.org/soccer/socindex.html.)
"The team has played two very tough
games this week. To ask them to play one more in a five day span is
almost too much to ask. We knew that we would have to dig down deep.
We did not want this opportunity to put ourselves on top of the region
slip away."
The Larks looked flat-footed to
start the game. The Red Devils from Allen County were clearly ready
to play as they moved the ball well on Hesston. The first half the Larks
found themselves in their own half far more than they cared for, but
Allen was unable to capitalize on any of their attacks. The Larks defense
would bend but not break.
"Allen did a very good job moving
the ball around. They clearly had more energy then we did. But James
was playing a solid game in goal and our backs would not let anyone
get behind them. All of their shots were coming from beyond the eighteen
and then going high and wide."
The Larks found more energy for
the final minutes of the first half. They began to mount their own attack
but still no score. The first half would end with Allen having the better
play but neither side getting on the board. "Defensively
we were solid, but otherwise we were struggling. The guys just looked
tired and understandably so considering the big week we already had."
The Larks approached the next 45
minutes with a charge of energy. Wards presence in goal not only provided
the strength Hesston would need in the back but he would also set up
the first and only goal. Ward punted the ball the greater length of
the field. The ball bounced to the opposite penalty area. Alan Peachey's
aggressive play and pressure on AC's defensive was enough for him to
win the ball and slot the ball into the back of the net past a sprawling
Matt Delpini for the Red Devils.
The goal came just five minutes
into the half and seemed to lift the Larks' spirits. As time wore on
the Larks defense became stronger and stronger. As the final minutes
clicked off the game clock Allen's attempts on goal became more and
more desperate. But Hesston would last the afternoon with the 1-0 win.
"It wasn't our best performance
but a win is a win is a win. To get three wins against three quality
regional opponents in five days is a huge accomplishment. I am so proud
of these guys. Defensively as a team we played strong. Our backs in
particular played well, and James played one of his best games. He was
dominant in the net. He never once looked indecisive. He was aggressive
and smart and made it look easy. We are seeing him developing into the
keeper we knew that he could be."
With the win the Larks are now
5-3-1 overall and 3-3-1 in Region VI play. With 10 points in the region
they now sit alone in 1st place on the west side of Region VI.
"I'll have to check the records for the last time a Hesston soccer
team sat on top of the region. It may not last for long but we will
enjoy it while it lasts. But it is no time to get complacent. We know
that we need to play better and need to be getting better each day so
that we can play our best soccer during the playoffs. We have made vast
improvements already and yet I think we can do so much better. Considering
the success we have already had that is saying a lot."
Hesston's next match is a non-regional
game Tuesday, September 28 at 4:00 p.m. against Barclay College in Haviland,
Kansas.