Time is running low for teams hungry to reach the Jayhawk Conference playoffs. Wednesday was the perfect opportunity for mens soccer to earn a win in their push, and the chance for the women to pull out their first win of the season. On the hardwood, the Devils were looking to turn their conference record back to .500 after a loss to second-ranked Coffeyville on Monday.
Here is how each team performed:
Womens Soccer
The Red Devils fought hard in the second half, but were a victim of a late counterattack goal by Kansas City Kansas Community College. KCKCC started the second half strong to earn another goal, pushing the lead to 2-0. After falling behind, the Devils pushed back. Ivory Lawless played a ball through to Dorothy Usher, who calmly finished it into the back of the net. Minutes later, ACC was granted a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, and Usher added her second goal by placing the ball into the side netting.
KCKCC was unfazed by the Red Devil comeback, and scored three more goals late into the second half to secure the 5-2 victory. Despite the loss, head coach Jeremy McGinnis was pleased with the ladies performance. McGinnis applauded first-year Ushers efforts, highlighting that the future remains bright with her in the mix.
Two games remain for the Red Devils to find the winning formula, they currently sit at 0-13. The Lady Devils host Neosho County on Monday, and Butler on Wednesday to wrap up the season.
Mens Soccer
A win Wednesday would have been a step in the right direction for the Red Devils to reach the conference playoffs. Goalkeeper Ajay Murray suffered an ankle injury in the opening stages of the first half, and was replaced by Zakk Wilce. The Red Devils struggled to flow in the first half, allowing KCKCC to score twice heading into halftime.
The Red Devils played with a purpose in the second half. Jordan Mase pounced on a deflected ball that rolled back into the penalty area, and slid it past the KCKCC goalkeeper, making the score 2-1. More opportunities were created, but ACC failed to convert. Tiago Troyano had an effort hit the crossbar, and Mase missed a chance that went wide by a finger length.
Head coach Doug Desmarteau said the chances for ACC to reach the conference tournament are now slim. The Red Devils will have to beat Neosho County on Tuesday, and hope the Panthers lose their remaining matches.
Volleyball
Heading into Wednesdays game against Johnson County, ACC was looking to rebound from Mondays loss to Coffeyville that put the Devils at 3-4 in the Jayhawk Conference. A win Wednesday would have placed ACC right back in the thick of things to claim a conference playoff spot.
Head coach Whitney Shaw rearranged her personnel, deciding to bench Brittney Eskridge. Shaw also promoted Mattie Dougherthy to libero over Celymar Cabranes for the first set, but later decided to undo the change for the final two sets. Shaw said the reasoning for the changes were to find a spark in the team, but she was left empty-handed after the Red Devils lost in three sets.
Shaw expressed her disappointment over ACCs lack of energy and passion. One week ago, the Red Devils earned a three-set sweep over Neosho County, but failed to duplicate the winning mentality against Johnson County. After two consecutive losses, the Red Devils rest at 3-5 in conference play. Three games remain for ACC to cement itself among the conference elite, The Red Devils host Cloud County Wednesday and travel to Independence on Thursday.
