Resilience helped Allen Community College’s women’s soccer team tie 0-0 to Hutchinson Saturday afternoon.
“We did outshoot them, which is something we can hold our head up about for sure,” coach Jeremy McGinnis said. “The fact that we tied the number 20 team in the nation shows how far we’ve come. Last year, we lost to them 10-0. It’s a huge improvement that we were able to play with them.”
Allen had 12 shots, to Hutchinson’s 9. At regulation, the teams were still tied 0-0 with the teams playing for the golden goal — the first team to score wins. Through two extra 10-minute periods, the score remained tied.
Red Devil goalkeeper Jessica Pancoast came up with a few great saves during the golden goal overtime. At the beginning of the first extra period, Hutchinson got off a shot that would have passed under the top crossbar. Pancoast punched the ball out before it went in.
“She’s big time. She’s a technical goaltender and knew she can’t get there,” McGinnis said. “That’s why she parried it out. It’s not even spinning, it’s knuckling. So, I was very proud of what she did.”
It was Pancoast’s fourth shutout of the season. McGinnis also gave credit to his center-midfielders for having to run back and forth between offense and defense the entire game.
Natalie Leiker, who plays left backfield, had tweaked her ankle, but was able to play through it. Patience Fleak who normally plays in the outside backfield, played centerback and had a good game.
“I’m very happy with my girls’ performance,” McGinnis said. “I know that they worked hard and they battled. I really loved their effort and what they did today.”
ACC (5-0-1) travels to Pratt for a match at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
ACC women draw with Hutchinson
