Goal: undetermined
Shots on goal: HC-4, NC-8
Corner Kicks: HC-2, NC-3
GK Saves: (HC) Ben Baker-6, (NC) Matt Nance-3
Coach Nussbaum's Comments
As a person walks, they fall forward and catch themselves again and again. Hesston's soccer team, on many occasions this season, failed to catch themselves and fell flat on their faces. Over the past several games however, the team has picked itself up and taken great strides in a positive direction. Whether they'll break into a jog by season's end remains to be seen.
Entering the game on Wednesday evening the lineup was shuffled finding Ben Baker in the goal and introduced a new sweeper in Chris Hignight. The defense played a very strong game as they limited Neosho to eight shots and one goal after the season opener to the same team when they allowed three goals and 14 shots on goal.
On the offensive end the Larks improved the attack by doubling the number of shots on goal and narrowly missed being up 2-0 by half-time. Jason Ramer was robbed of a goal by a point blank save mid-way through the first half and ten minutes later Carlos Padilla found the left upright that rang off the post as Angelo Sorboro just missed it for the follow-up.
Continuing the fine play in the second half, Hesston knocked on the door several more times with two headers on goal. At about that point the frustration of Hesston's defensive effort began to wear thin on our opponent and after a series of dirty plays, three cautions (much too late in coming) and one ejection, the Larks found themselves in a man advantage. Unfortunately, Hesston finished the game with several key players on the bench for their own safety and left the field with pride in their fair but aggressive play and a narrow one goal loss.
Congratulations all the way around for maintaining class in a game exhibiting less than sportsmanlike behavior throughout. Sometimes you can lose and still smell like a rose and win only to stink to high heaven.
Hesston's next game is on the road at Kansas City CC on Saturday at 2 p.m. HC's record is now 1-12-1.