Lady Blue Devils home again after first-ever playoff win

Sophomore forward Kayla Deaver fired a shot from the top of the penalty area. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young women’s soccer team performed so well in their first-ever home playoff game they’re going to get to do it again.

A 3-1 winner over defending Region VI champion Barton County in opening regional play Saturday, the Blue Devils will be back home again Thursday thanks to No. 8 seeded Johnson County’s stunning 2-1 upset of No. 1 seeded Cloud County. No kickoff time has been set but it is expected to be mid to later afternoon.

Freshman Melissa Siegel’s penalty kick with 18:58 left in the second half broke a 1-1 deadlock and propelled the Blue Devils to their 13th win of the season against just three losses.

The penalty kick came when Corrine Hughes was knocked down just inside the box, the fifth time she had been knocked down during the furiously fought battle but the first time a foul was called.

“I was really nervous,” said Siegel of her penalty shot, a rocket just inside the right goal post that gave Barton County goalkeeper Itzel Diaz no chance. “With so little time left, so many things can happen. I knew all along I was going to kick it to the right side.”

“She’s a gamer; she’s not afraid of taking the big shot,” praised KCKCC coach Shawn Uhlenhake. It was Siegel’s third penalty kick of the season, all successful. The first two came at Butler County.

The Blue Devils then wrapped up the win 3½ minutes later when freshman Maddy Broeker beat Barton’s goalkeeper to a ball at the top of the box for the goal that opened the 3-1 lead. Broeker, who had just returned to the game, had to be helped from the field with a leg bruise after the collision with Diaz.

“I’m OK; the goal is what counted,” Broeker said.

KCKCC jumped in front with just 2:53 gone in the first half when Hughes converted a corner kick from freshman Kayley Pedersen. The lead stood up until the 33:26 mark of the first half when the Cougars’ Dominica Pena punched in the tying goal.

It would be the Cougars only goal thanks to a standout defensive effort by goalkeeper Jaidyn Takaishi, who had six saves on 15 Barton shots, and the back line of sophomores Sydney Guerra, Karleigh Enyart and Alex Schemmel and freshman Paige Liston.

“Our back line defense really held us together, especially since our midfield was not connecting with our forwards very often,” Uhlenhake said. The Blue Devils got off 14 shots including 10 on goals, seven of which were turned away by Diaz.

Thursday’s clash with Johnson County (12-6-1) will be the third meeting between the two teams, KCKCC winning 3-2 at JCCC and 2-0 at home.

“It’s really tough to beat a team three times,” Uhlenhake said. “We certainly know everything there is to know about each other.”

Freshman forward Madison Broeker (4) was upended by Barton goalkeeper Itzel Diaz (1) but got revenge as her shot rolled past Diaz into the goal. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman midfielder Melisa Siegel knocked in a penalty kick in the second half to give KCKCC a 2-1 lead. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Itzel Diaz dived to her left to deny Kayla Deaver a shot opportunity. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman forward Corrine Hughes challenged for a shot on goal in the first half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sophomore midfielder Tina Alvarez (13) made a run down the left sideline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Corrine Hughes was brought down multiple times by Barton defenders in the hard-fought contest. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Corrine Hughes got congratulations from Madison Broeker following Hughes’s first half goal. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Images from KCKCC women’s soccer playoff win over Barton Community College. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Tina Alvarez made a sliding tackle on Barton sophomore midfielder Domenica Pena (15). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman midfielder Mercy Azanapo (11) cut off an attack by Corrine Hughes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Kayla Deaver took a shot in the second half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman midfielder Kayley Pedersen knocked a shot past the challenge of Mercy Azanapo. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman midfielder Jaidyn Yingling (6) pushed the ball cross-field. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Itzel Diaz (1) knocked away a diving close-range shot from Madison Broeker. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Barton County goalkeeper Itzel Diaz has no chance as KCKCC freshman Melissa Seigel, left, buried a penalty kick that broke a 1-1 tie and propelled the Blue Devils to a 3-1 win Saturday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Hands raised high, Melissa Seigel is joined by teammates Corrine Hughes (21), Kayley Pedersen (16), Karleigh Enyart (5) and Jaidyn Yingling in celebrating Seigel’s penalty kick goal that broke a 1-1 tie in KCKCC’s 3-1 win over Barton County Saturday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
KCKCC freshman Maddy Broeker beat Barton goalkeeper Itzel Diaz for the goal that clinched the Blue Devils first playoff win ever 3-1 Saturday, (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
KCKCC’s Corrine Hughes is sent sprawling in a spectacular collision with Barton County’s Alexsandra Fernandez in the Blue Devils’ 3-1 win Saturday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

One thought on “Lady Blue Devils home again after first-ever playoff win”

  1. I would like to see some pics of the defensive line if you have any. Otherwise, maybe we can see some from the next game? Thanks

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