by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College put its first Jayhawk Conference soccer win in the books Tuesday night with a workmanlike 3-1 win over archrival Johnson County.
“We bounced back and played well,” said KCKCC coach Ruben Rodriguez, whose defending Region VI champions suffered 1-0 and 2-1 losses in their first two Jayhawk Conference contests.
KCKCC took a 1-0 lead on an Ignacio Sarasol goal assisted by Gustavo Palmieri at the 26-minute mark of the first half and then built the lead to 3-0 early in the second half.
Bruno Rovares scored an unassisted goal 12 minutes into the second half and five minutes later Kenar Huntington scored an unassisted goal for the 3-0 lead.
Johnson County foiled Fabian Keiblinger’s bid for a shutout with just four minutes remaining on an unassisted goal by Brad Tulley. Kieblinger was credited with seven saves while his teammates were getting off 13 shots.
“We were without five or six starters because of injuries or illness so the depth of our bench really played a big role in the win,” said Rodriguez said.
“We were able to uplift our game a little,” agreed KCKCC assistant coach Burke Slusher. “The guys are getting more comfortable on the field.”
KCKCC is right back in Jayhawk action Saturday, playing at Allen County at 4 p.m. The contest will follow a 2 p.m. women’s game.