Larks soccer shows burst of energy

by Kymee Noll – Horizon Sports Editor

The Hesston College women’s soccer team may have started off slow, but have now taken the field by storm, winning three of their last five games.  The Larks had their first sign of life when they captured an exhilarating overtime win against Cowley Community College (Arkansas City, Kan.).

Statistically, the women’s defense was fierce while playing Cowley.  The Larks outshot the Tigers in regulation play, recording 10 to 3 shot attempts, respectively. Cowley was the first to strike during regulation play on a free kick, but Hesston later answered with a goal from freshman Mikaela Zook (Middlebury, Ind.).

Just two minutes into overtime play, sophomore Rachel Short-Miller (Bellingham, Wash.) stole a pass for a breakaway one-on-one with Cowley’s keeper.  Short-Miller took advantage of this opportunity and slotted the ball on the lower right corner of the goal post.

“It was a much-deserved win,” said Coach Bryan Kehr.

Out of the 11 sports at Hesston College, women’s soccer is the only athletic team that competes in NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division I, the other ten competingin NJCAA Division II.

Freshman Erin Coffman (Vassar, Kan.) and sophomore Elisabeth Wilder (Hesston, Kan.) were both pleased with the team’s play that captured the wins.

“We were more focused on being vocal, communicating who was guarding which opposing player,” Coffman said.  “Overall, we were more aggressive and there was a sense of positive energy on the field.  We need to concentrate on those wins and replicate them for future games.”

In the victory over Cowley, Elisabeth Wilder said when regulation was over, “there was a sense of determination.  We were sick of losing and everyone picked up their game.”

The Larks’ second win was a 6-0 shutout against Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, Iowa).

“Right off the bat we were dominating the field, but we just couldn’t score a goal.  At halftime we had 12 shot attempts, but the score was still tied at zero.  About five minutes into the second half Savannah Sizer (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) score, and from there the floodgates opened!”

Hesston’s next game is Friday, Oct. 3 vs. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Miami, Okla.) at 5 p.m.