Wednesday was a painful learning experience — at times literally — for Allen Community College’s women.
The Red Devils dropped their second straight match, falling 4-0 to visiting Coffeyville Wednesday. The loss puts ACC at 3-2 overall.
Allen was unable to handle the emotional swings of an eventful first half, head coach Jeremy McGinnis said.
The Red Devils came up empty on three golden scoring opportunities.
“We had three breakaways,” he said. “If we score on any of them, it changes the entire complexion of the game. Then they’re the ones who may be panicking.”
Instead, Coffeyville countered shortly thereafter with a pair of goals in rapid succession.
Allen looked to regroup at intermission, but a pair of costly defensive lapses led to two more Red Raven goals less than a minute apart to effectively put the game out of reach, the second of which snuck through the arms of ACC goalkeeper Keelie Arbuckle.
The Red Devils struggled with Coffeyville’s physicality, and its demeanor, McGinnis said.
Players on both teams collided frequently, and on more than one occasion had to be separated by the officials.
“Coffeyville is a scrappy bunch,” McGinnis said, and is not shy about talking to opposing players and officials. “With 17 freshmen, we’re just not used that kind of play.”
Despite Coffeyville’s lofty rankings — 19th in the nation and sporting a 10-1 record — McGinnis said Allen should not hang its head.
“I do not believe they’re any better than us,” he said.
Arbuckle wound up with eight saves in the match.
Allen is at Hutchinson at 4 p.m. Saturday before returning home Wednesday to host Pratt.
