by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Unbeaten Eastern Florida State College scored in the first 54 seconds and it didn’t get any better for Kansas City Kansas Community College Thursday.
Ranked No. 3 in the nation, the Titans scored early and often in a 9-1 win in opening round play of the NJCAA Division I national women’s soccer tournament at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Georgia.
The loss dropped the No. 10 Blue Devils to 12-3-1 heading into a second round game Friday against Laramie, Wyoming, at 4 p.m., a game that will be streamed on the NJCAA website.
Boasting a roster of 15 international players, Eastern Florida is playing in the national tournament for the 10th straight season. The Titans improved to 10-0-1 in a game played in 88-degree temperatures and high humidity.
“It was a lesson learned by everyone,” KCKCC coach Shawn Uhlenhake said. “We’re not going to hang our heads; we’re going to try to win one tomorrow.”
KCKCC’s one bright moment came with six minutes remaining when sophomore Melissa Siegel drilled a 15-yard free kick just over the head of goalkeeper Marcella Thedings. It was only the second goal allowed by the Titans this spring.
“Our highlight, to score only the second goal allowed by that team all season but beyond that it was a tough draw,” Uhlenhake said. “That’s a very good team, very good. They had really athletic players come off the bench that would have been all-region in our conference.”
Eastern Florida spent most of the game in KCKCC territory, peppering goalkeeper Susie Lopez with 32 shots including 19 on goal. The Blue Devils were outshot 20-2 in a 6-0 first half before getting off seven second half shots. The Titans also had 15 corner kicks to three for KCKCC.
Paula Garrido of Spain scored three goals and Australians Courtney Jade Butlion and Lydia Carroll two each for Eastern Florida. Jade Butlion scored the first goal 54 seconds into the game on an assist from Garrido, who followed with a pair of goals for a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes,
The other two Titan goals were scored by Kurumi Arakawa of Japan and Cara Young, a transfer from Alabama from Memphis, Tennessee.
Uhlenhake said the fast start put the Blue Devils on their heels.
“We really wanted to score the first goal but unfortunately, we had a misplayed ball and they scored right away,” he said. “We didn’t give up but then the next two came and we kind of unraveled, especially with the heat and injuries. But we’re probably not the only team to have it happen in their first national tournament.”