Hesston vs. Johnson County CC
Sept 27, 2005, Overland Park, Kan.

1st half:  None

2nd half:  1 JCCC Austin Dowing (unassisted) 75:41; 2 JCCC Nathan Bliss (unassisted) 79:24;
1 HC Emanuel Batu (unassisted); 3 JCCC Matt Iverson (Jesse Smith) 87:18

Yellow Cards: JCCC 2 (Jesse Smith, Mark Lenahan)
Red Cards: None

Coach's Summary:   Hesston College traveled to Kansas City trying to add to their two game win streak and their 4-3 record. But the task would not be an easy one as they faced off against the 4th ranked team in the country in Johnson County. The Cavaliers come into the game with a nine game win streak and an 11-1 record. Johnson's only loss came at the hands of 3rd ranked Yavapai College (score 4-3). Since that loss to Yavapai, Johnson County has only allowed four goals against while scoring twenty-eight.
    "Johnson is always a formidable opponent. Last year they did well inside the region but not outside until the post season. This year they're beating teams they lost to last year. I think it's safe to say that ranking they have is legitimate. So going into this game we know that we have to play well and with lots of determination in order to keep pace. We've played some good teams up until now but none that move the ball as well as Johnson County. When you play Johnson you know they will pass well, they'll have speed, and they'll switch the fields quicker than most. They really put you to the test every time. Last year we were able to get a win against them but that was at home where we usually play strong. This time we're on their pitch and they appear to have a better team. But we're also better this year. I told the guys as long as we come to compete and play with intensity we can compete with anyone."
    Hesston started with the ball and looked to go right at the Cavaliers. The first half was a hard fought game from both sides. Johnson County showed why they're ranked 4th in the country with their sharp passing and good footwork. But the Larks we're undaunted and able to string some good attacks of their own together. The Cavaliers would have more opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. The Larks were able to keep most of Johnson's attacks under wraps led by the strong play of Aaron Martin and Jordon Hannon. And the few times the Cavaliers found openings goalkeeper Chris Burkholder came up with some big saves. The Larks did construct some good attacks and got some shots off but were unable to get any on goal. The first half ended 0-0.
    "I was really pleased with our first half performance. We came ready to play. We played hard and not intimidated. Last year we played a lot more defense and just tried to counterattack. This year we were actually trying to play good possession soccer against a very good team and finding some success. Yes, Johnson possessed the ball more than we did but we were still able to move the ball on them. Playing the #4 team in the nation and coming out 0-0 at the half is obviously a good start for us."
    Johnson County kicked off the second half but the Larks quickly pressured and won the ball. The second half then continued much the way the first half ended but Johnson County was able to get a few more dangerous opportunities. One shot caromed off the post, two shots were snubbed out by Burkholder, and the defenders were able to fend off most other attacks. Emanuel Batu was still creating space for the Larks in the midfield, but as time wore on Johnson County was able to maintain they're energy, while the Larks were starting to look more and more tired.
    "Steve Eriksen, one of our captains and starting midfielders, was out of today's game with an injury. Not having Steve today really hurt us. Not only is Steve a good player, but he's one of our leaders. It also made us that much more short-handed. Our guys were playing hard the whole game and near the end it was obvious that we were slowly running out of energy."
    Finally with about 14 minutes remaining in the match Johnson County broke the deadlock when Austin Dowing slotted the ball into the far right netting from the left side.
    "Chris made a few big saves to keep the score at zero but this one just slid past his reach. It was a little disheartening for the guys because they had played so hard. But we had given JC a few other opportunities and denied them. So obviously if you give a good team too many opportunities they'll eventually make you pay and that's what JC did."
    It took JC 76 minutes to get the first goal but only 3 more minutes to get the second goal.
    "They did a great job attacking in numbers and we just were getting a step off. Both goals were nicely set up. What can you say except now let's try to get a goal of our own."
    And getting a goal is just what the Larks did. Down two goals the Larks still pressed on and managed to get the ball deep into the Cavaliers end when Felipe Tafur was taken down just outside the box. Emanuel Batu caught the Cavs sleeping and quickly knotted the ball into the right side of the net.
    "Emanuel is such a smart player. He saw that Johnson County wasn't paying attention and was slow setting up so he just set the ball down and kicked it into a virtually open goal. It was just the thing our team needed. You could tell the guys were re-energized. But on the flip side we only had 5 minutes remaining and we were still down a goal."
    With just 3 minutes remaining the Cavs reclaimed their two-goal lead with a quick attack down the right side. Smith drilled a ball across along the ground perfectly to Iverson who only had to redirect the ball into the far-left side of the goal. The Larks continued to play hard but the scored remained 3-1.
    "I was really proud of our players. We competed well against one of the top ranked teams in the country. Looking back there might have been some things that I as a coach could have done differently but overall we just got beat by a very good team. Johnson moves the ball around the field better than anyone in our region does. There is no shame in losing to them. I just hope that we can use this game to make us better for future games. We still have 4 more regional games and we're very much in the hunt for a good spot in the post season. So far we've shown that we can compete with anyone so I have no complaints."
    The Larks fall to 4-4 on the season and 2-3 in regional play. The Larks next play at home against Kansas City Kansas Community College on Thurs September 29 at 7:30pm.