by Alan Hoskins
Not only did goalkeeper Maria Hansen and her Kansas City Kansas Community College teammates post their fourth shutout of the season Tuesday, the Lady Blue Devils did it against the No. 13 ranked team in the nation.
Turning back every shot on goal, the Blue Devils and Johnson County battled to a 0-0 double overtime deadlock – the first time KCKCC had not lost to the Lady Cavaliers. The win also came on the heels of a 7-0 win over Neosho County heading into a home contest with Dodge City Friday at 5:30 p.m.
“It was a bend, don’t break kind of game,” said KCKCC assistant coach Melanie Pickert. “We are so proud of the way the girls played for each other for all 110 minutes. JCCC threw a lot of numbers and formations attempting to break down the defense.”
Pickert was particularly pleased with KCKCC’s ability to adjust defensively.
“For a large chunk of the game, JCCC played with four forwards trying to score but we were able to adapt to several different formations,” Pickert said. “No matter who was on the field, every player contributed without a lapse of focus and energy. JCCC is a very good, talented and respected team and we able to respond with passion, tenaciousness and discipline.”
While Hansen and the Blue Devil defensive backline turned back several shots on goal, KCKCC’s had a chance late in the second overtime to win only to have Loida Carranza’s shot go wide left. The game was a fundraiser for the fight against breast cancer with both teams wearing pink uniforms.
The 0-0 tie followed KCKCC’s record 7-0 win at Neosho County. The most points scored by a Lady Blue Devil teams, KCKCC got two goals each from sophomore Madison Simmons of Tonganoxie and freshman Kaitlyn Trzok of Piper and one each from Carranza and Piper freshmen Cheyann Lake and Jessica Ibarra.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.