2-1 win puts Blue Devils in position for high Jayhawk finish

KCKCC plays host to Johnson County Friday in pivotal conference test

KCKCC sophomore Ignacia Sarasol took dead aim at a free kick by Lucas Santos before rifling the ball past a diving goalkeeper for what proved to be the winning goal in the Blue Devils 2-1 win over Neosho County Wednesday. (KCKCC photos by Alan Hoskins)
KCKCC sophomore Ignacia Sarasol took dead aim at a free kick by Lucas Santos before rifling the ball past a diving goalkeeper for what proved to be the winning goal in the Blue Devils 2-1 win over Neosho County Wednesday. (KCKCC photos by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College made an early 2-0 lead stand up for a vital 2-1 win over Neosho County Tuesday night.

The win pulled the Blue Devils into a tie with Neosho for third place in the Jayhawk Conference with a chance to climb even higher with three games remaining starting Friday when KCKCC plays host to Johnson County in a 5-7:30 p.m. doubleheader.

Cowley College leads the conference at 5-1-1 followed by Johnson County (4-1-1), KCKCC (4-3) and Neosho (4-3), Allen County (3-5) and Coffeyville (0-7).

In addition to JCCC Friday, the Blue Devils play at Allen County next Wednesday and play host to Coffeyville Sunday, Oct. 20. Johnson County has games remaining against Cowley, KCKCC, Coffeyville and Neosho while Neosho faces Allen County, Cowley and JCCC in its remaining three contests.

KCKCC’s 2-1 win over Neosho was the second 2-1 win over the Panthers and earned the tie-breaker in case of a tie. Also, it was only the third loss of the season for Neosho (10-3).

The Blue Devils grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first four minutes on a goal by sophomore midfielder Alejandro Maillet on an assist from freshman Elijah Bathily and then got what proved to be the winning goal from sophomore Ignacia Sarasol, who took a free kick in front of the net from freshman Lucas Santos and beat the goalkeeper with a thunderous kick.

Neosho got its lone goal with seven minutes left in the half, the goal coming when the Panthers beat goalkeeper Boso Pery to the ball for an open goal shot.

But Pery and the Blue Devil defense turned back every other challenge by the Panthers, who got off a dozen shots, six on goal. Perry had five saves including a diving stop in the final two minutes as the Blue Devils staved off countless Neosho advances deep in KCKCC territory.

“A good test for us, we needed to test ourselves,” KCKCC coach Ruben Rodriguez said. “We stepped up to the plate and took care of business. A good win, a big win. And now an even bigger game against Johnson Friday.”

Davids walks UAW picket line

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., on Wednesday walked with striking United Auto Workers on the picket line in the Fairfax area of Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., on Wednesday walked with striking United Auto Workers on the picket line in the Fairfax area of Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum


As the General Motors strike lingers on, there is a lot of local support for those who are on strike.

Congresswoman Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., said, “There is a lot to this strike where workers’ rights are protected. That is the American way of life. We must stand behind these workers at GM who are on strike.”

Clarence Brown local UAW president said, “We are united until this strike is over. This is part of the American way of life, where workers are treated fairly and their rights are protected.”

On the UAW picket line in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
On the UAW picket line in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
On the UAW picket line in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
Clarence Brown, UAW Local 31 president. (Photo by William Crum)