by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Trailing for the first time this year, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s unbeaten women’s soccer team charged from behind for a 4-1 win at arch-rival Johnson County Wednesday.
It was the fifth straight win for the Blue Devils and kept them firmly entrenched atop the Jayhawk DI Conference standings ahead of Barton County (3-0-1), Cowley (3-1-1) and Hutchinson (2-1-2). Ranked No. 12 in the latest NJCAA DI poll, the Blue Devils return home Saturday for a noon kickoff against Garden City and Wednesday against Coffeyville (5 p.m.)
Freshman Katharina Oelschlager had two goals and an assist to lead the Blue Devils, who trailed 1-0 well into the first half.
Oelschlager’s first goal on an assist from freshman Kaylee Shaw pulled the Blue Devils even and her second just before halftime on an assist from sophomore Jaidyn Yingling put the Blue Devils ahead to stay. KCKCC’s second-half goals came on an unassisted kick by sophomore Melissa Siegel and a Madi Broeker score on an assist from Oelschlager.
The Cavaliers’ first-half goal was only the second of the season given up by freshman Susie Lopez, a freshman from Turner. The loss was JCCC’s first in three games.
“The second goal before half was something I felt changed the game,” KCKCC coach Shawn Uhlenhake said. “I felt Johnson County had the better of us the first 30 minutes, leading 1-0 and making it difficult for us to find our attacking players. We were fortunate to string a couple of passes together and find the back of the net before halftime.
“The second half we had some really dangerous opportunities and fortunately we converted a couple of those chances. It was really a good test – and happy to leave with a win. We still have some work to do but we learned a lot today.”