Seven Blue Devils named to Jayhawk all-conference soccer teams

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Seven members of the 2016 Kansas City Kansas Community College men’s soccer team have been named to All-Jayhawk Conference teams.

The Blue Devils were 10-4 for the season and tied for second in the Jayhawk with a 7-3 record, losing twice to Johnson County and once to Cowley College. They swept Coffeyville, Allen County and Neosho County in addition to dividing with Cowley. They were eliminated by Barton County 5-2 in the Region VI playoffs.

Three Blue Devils were selected to the first team – forward Hiago Gasper, midfielder Guilherme Grave and defender Ricardo Angelo. All three are freshmen from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Second team selections include sophomore forward Thiago Elias, also of Sao Paulo; sophomore midfielders Giovanni Calderon of Harmon and Tanner Helms of Ashland, Mo.; and sophomore defender Jake Salmons, also of Ashland, Mo.

The Blue Devils were coached by Ruben Rodriguez, who was in his fifth season as head coach; and Burke Slusher, in his third year as assistant.