by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
A switch in personnel paid big dividends for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s streaking women’s soccer team Thursday.
Unable to fill her usual starting job as goalkeeper, freshman Susie Lopez shifted to forward and Mia Tomasic took over in goal and both played big roles in the Blue Devils’ 3-0 win over Neosho County.
The win was the ninth in a row for the Blue Devils who vaulted to No. 8 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, the highest ranking in college history. The win also set up a demanding schedule for next week – at Butler County in El Dorado Monday and then home matches with Johnson County Wednesday (5 p.m.) and Hutchinson Saturday (2 p.m.).
A freshman from Turner, Lopez scored the Blue Devils first goal while Tomasic made her first start after joining the Blue Devils following the KCKCC volleyball season.
“Susie had a hand injury and couldn’t play in goal,” KCKCC coach Shawn Uhlenhake said. “She’s such a versatile player we wanted to give her the opportunity to play up top and Mia got her first shutout in her first start.”
Although the Blue Devils were in the Neosho end of the field most of the first half, it was scoreless at the break before Lopes scored early in the second half.
“Her goal got us going,” Uhlenhake said. “Neosho was in a defensive shell and it was difficult to break through it. And their goalkeeper is really good. We changed some things at halftime and got more opportunities. We dominated possessions and the girls played well.”
Caroline Rutledge assisted on both of the final two KCKCC goals. Melissa Siegel made it 2-0 and Kaylee Shaw scored the third goal.