Soccer Game Report
Hesston vs. Barton County, Oct. 8, 2002, Hesston

Coach's Comments--
      Hesston College shows vast improvement in spite of loss and score. The weather, in stark contrast to Hesston’s last game, was absolutely perfect for a soccer game. Overcast skies and temperatures in the lower 60s, made for a great night for the players and fans for a tough game against a good team in Barton County. I was really worried about how our guys would respond after being beaten pretty bad by Cloud last week, having our game against Rhema postponed (a game our guys were really looking forward to), and now playing an opponent that already shellacked us 7-0 earlier in the season. But I think the players responded well. I was really proud of the way we played and the effort the guys put in. I don’t think the score reflects how well we really did play. It was a complete turn around from the last time we faced Barton.
      Hesston began the game missing its starting keeper Kyle Beun (still out recovering from a shoulder injury) and starting center back Justin Weaver (attending a funeral in Indiana). Backup Danny Yoder started in goal for the Larks. From the opening kickoff it was clear that Hesston was ready to play. The Larks put some nice passes together making the Barton Cougars really work to gain possession. We set one of goals to not have any let downs in the first or last five minutes of each half. In past games we’ve allowed way too many goals in that time frame. So it was nice to see our guys come out strong from the beginning. Barton got a break 10 minutes into the game when a defensive miscue gave Barton’s Todd Brittingham a breakaway that he slipped past a sprawling Danny Yoder. Ten minutes later Barton was awarded a penalty kick after a hard foul in the box. Nick Webb gave Barton the 2-0 lead.
      However, Hesston had their opportunities to score. Some nice passing and movement saw Hesston’s Andy Krabill just to the right of the goal in the box about 16 yards out. With a defender closing in and the goalkeeper shifting over, Krabill blasted the ball just a little too high. We had our chances for sure. I was really pleased with the way were able to move the ball on such a solid team. In the beginning of the game, we were doing some nice short passing but really we missed several opportunities to send players through going to goal. Toward the end of the half we started to play a little more direct and it created some great chances for us.
      The second half was very similar to the first as Barton had the better opportunities, capitalizing on two of them, but the Larks were knocking on the door step of the Barton goal several times. One particular opportunity for the Larks found several players - including Craig Mast, Jared Coblentz, Troy Stutzman, and Arsene Tshidimu – scrambling for the ball in a crowded box after a free kick. However, Barton was finally able to clear the ball. That was a situation in which we’re just one step away from putting in a point blank shot. It’s both agonizing and exciting to watch from the side line. It looked as if Barton might get another goal when the Cougars’ Kenny Muganza pounded a shot from just 15 yards out. But Larks’ keeper Danny Yoder came up with the save of the game diving to his left to knock the ball away for a corner kick. That was easily the best save I have seen by any goalkeeper this year. Absolutely fantastic. Even the Barton coach described it as ‘Big time.’ The shot was head high and several feet to Danny’s left. He not only got to it but also got two hands on it and cleared it several yards wide. Best way to describe it was – WOW!
      Barton was gifted an own goal by the Larks to set the final score at 5 – 0. I was really pleased with the way we played. We were only credited with two shots on goal but had several shots just off goal and several opportunities that never made it to the goal keeper because of great defensive plays by them. I was really impressed with Danny Yoder’s play. It’s great to know that I have two quality goalkeepers that I can have full confidence in at any time. The more Danny plays the better he is getting. The guys have tremendous confidence in him as well and that’s nice to know. Honestly the 5-0 result doesn’t do justice to the effort our team put in tonight. I think we can be proud of the game we played. We know that Barton is a quality team. It wouldn’t surprise me if they went on to win our region and go deep into Districts or even the National tournaments.
      The Larks next play Barclay College at home this Thursday Oct 10th at 7:30 p.m. The guys are excited to play Barclay again. The challenge for me is to make sure that we aren’t over confidant or that we don’t take them too lightly just because we beat them fairly easily before.