The Allen women soccer team’s slide extended to three games after falling 3-1 to arch rival Neosho County Community College Wednesday.
The Red Devils went ahead early from a goal by freshman midfielder Priya Stanger at the 10-minute mark from a pass from midfielder Maria Diez Gomes-Pompa. But the Neosho Panthers responded with three unanswered goals to take Wednesday’s contest.
“It’s fixable. At least it’s a soccer problem and not an issue with attitude or effort,” Allen coach Jeremy McGinnis said. “I love soccer problems, but they have to pick it up. Some of them are, but it’s got to be more consistent, and it’s got to everybody.”
Despite giving up three goals, sophomore goalkeeper Niamh Ellison had a strong day overall with five saves. The theme of Wednesday’s game, though, was a team can’t score from shots they don’t take. Neosho had 14 shots to Allen’s five.
“Some of the girls are having trouble with soccer IQ,” Coach McGinnis said. “It’s knowing their roles and playing it to a T. We go over it in a classroom, in training and onto the field. For some of them, it’s hard to carry it into a game. It’s a different level.”
With the loss, the Red Devils fall to 4-5-1 overall and 0-4-1 in conference play. They are fifth in the Jayhawk Conference and play No. 2 nationally ranked Johnson County Community College at home 2p.m. Saturday.
“They’re No. 2 in the nation, and I don’t think we’ve beat them in the history of our program,” McGinnis said. “It doesn’t get any easier for us. Our conference is very tough, but anyone can beat anyone on any given day. We’re right there, but sometimes the game is not forgiving.”
