The proceedings might have been a little too close for comfort Saturday.
But a 2-1 win over Hesston is fine enough for Allen Community College soccer coach Doug Desmarteau.
“We definitely needed it,” Desmarteau said.
Allen was without the services of leading scorer Jordan Mase and Olomidara Olukayode, both of whom were ejected from last week’s game at Pratt, which Allen lost in overtime, 4-3.
The loss, which came after Allen led 3-2 late in regulation, didn’t sit well with Desmarteau, who said his players were subjected to racist comments during the match.
“It was a mess,” he said, adding he planned on filing a report on the circumstances surrounding the match with Jayhawk Conference officials.
So Allen entered Saturday ready to rid itself of some pent up frustration.
And the Red Devils did — sort of.
Allen dominated possession from the start, peppering the Hesston goalkeeper with multiple scoring opportunities.
Allen’s Tiago Troyano pushed the Red Devils on top, 2-0, with a pair of first-half goals, the first coming on a penalty kick from inside the 18-yard box; the second on a brilliant shot from the right wing.
“That kick was awesome,” Desmarteau said, adding that Troyano had been suffering during the match with blisters on his feet.
“Luckily, they didn’t pop,” Desmarteau said.
The rest of the match was an exercise in frustration.
Allen continued to control the pace, but came up empty on other scoring chances.
Ben Mnqathu’s shot from midfield cleared the goalkeeper, but hit the crossbar and bounced straight down. Hesston cleared the ball before Allen could score on a putback.
Meanwhile, the Larks got their first (and only) goal early in the second half off a free kick in the corner to keep the outcome in doubt until the clock struck :00.
“Honestly, we put ourselves under pressure,” Desmarteau said. “We played well, but we should have put it away. I told the guys at halftime, the only way they’re gonna put any kind of pressure on us is giving up fouls and penalty kicks.”
