1st |
2nd |
OT |
Final |
|
Hesston | 0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Goshen | 0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1st half: no goals
2nd half: 1 HC Philip Kauffman (Brett Brand) 84:24; 1 GC Ashe Abebe (7 unassisted); 89:30
OT: 2 GC Craig Mast (unassisted-pk) 91:44
Shots: HC 9 (5 SOG); GC 14 (7 SOG)
Saves: HC 5 (James Ward): GC 4 (Craig Welscott)
Yellow Cards: none
Red Cards: none
Coach's Summary:
The Hesston College soccer team traveled to Indiana to take on two four-year
colleges: Goshen College and Tri-State University. The clash of
the Mennonite colleges, Goshen College (10-3-3) and Hesston College
(7-6-1), would prove to be everything it was hyped up to be.
"I know that our players were really
excited to play against Goshen. For one, six of our guys played high
school soccer in this area and many of the other players had lots of
friends and family coming out to watch. Plus our guys really enjoy playing
under the lights at home so playing on Goshen's field would feel somewhat
like a home match in spite of being a thousand miles from Hesston. And
to add fuel to the fire we do not feel that we get the respect we deserve
from the other four-year Mennonite colleges. We definitely were playing
with a chip on our shoulder. We wanted to prove that even though we
are a two-year school we could still play very good soccer. We did not
come here to just have a good showing. We came here to win."
Both teams came out with lots of energy.
The crowd of more than 1,100 divided fans was instantly into the game.
"The fans were great. We were able to have just as many fans
as Goshen because of all the alumni we have in the area. Goshen fans
were a little more vocal but we definitely felt the support of our fans
too." Both teams created good scoring opportunities in the first
half but the scoreboard would remain 0-0 going into half time.
The second half began much like the first
half but with even more intensity. Hesston would have the first great
opportunity to score when the Larks broke through the Leafs defense
and caught Goshen goalkeeper, Craig Welcott, out of the net. However,
the Larks missed a golden opportunity in front of the goal. "You
never like to miss opportunities like that. However, at that point we
felt like this was going to be our game. I did not think we played as
well as we could have the first half. I think we were maybe a little
too excited about this game and just needed to settle down. The second
half we played much better. We started with Brandon Davis up front for
much of the game and then later we put him back at his natural position,
center mid. Once he got back in the middle we started controlling the
game much better."
Goshen would miss their own prime opportunity
when they ripped a shot off the far post from inside the eighteen. The
next best chance went back to Hesston and this time they would make
good on their opportunity. Lark forward Brett Brand penetrated down
the left side of the pitch and rifled a cross along the ground to a
sprinting Philip Kauffman. Kauffman slotted the ball nicely past Welcott
and into the far side netting.
"That was such a beautiful goal. Brett
did a great job to create that by doing what he loves to do best. It
was also nice to see Philip get a goal. He is such a hard worker and
such a competitor."
With just under six minutes remaining in the contest Hesston was looking
to wrap up the game, but the Leafs pressed forward in desperation. The
efforts paid off in the waning seconds. Atlee Schrock sent a ball into
the box. Craig Mast (2004 Hesston grad) attempted head ball went wide
when he collided with Lark goalkeeper James Ward. With Ward out of the
box and players swarming around the goal it was Ashe Abebe who slipped
in the tying goal with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock.
In overtime, Goshen was awarded a penalty
kick just one minute into the extra time. Junior midfielder Craig Mast
knocked in the winning goal for the Leafs. "That goal at
the end of regulation was really deflating but I still felt like we
could win that game. So that is why my team and I wanted to play overtime.
It was just unfortunate that such a well played game had to end on a
penalty kick. But if anyone is going to beat my team I glad it was one
of my former players. I knew once Craig stepped up to take the kick
that James would have a tough task on his hands. Craig does not miss
pks. Craig played really well and it was great to see him play again.
I am happy for him and proud of the great job he is doing for Tavi (the
Goshen College soccer coach)."
"I was also proud of my team. I thought
we played well against a very good Goshen squad. People talk about this
being their JV team or their reserve squad. Do not kid yourself. Tavi
put out a very good team against us and we not only held our own but
felt like we should have won. The only real disappointing thing is that
we had some injuries. Brett Brand twisted his ankle and is questionable
for the post season. That hurts us more than anything. It will require
other players to step up and get the job done."
Hesston (7-7-1) will end their regular
season play against Tri-State University on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in
Angola, Indiana.