A strong win last month over sixth-ranked St. Louis Community College gave the mens ACC soccer team plenty of optimism for the 2019 season.
Wednesday night, however, was a sobering reminder of the talent they face.
Allen Community College lost to last years Jayhawk Conference Champions Cowley Community College, 7-1.
I told the guys Ill take this one, I didnt prepare them well enough for this game, head coach Doug Desmarteau said. We came out overconfident, hyped, and too excited. They are a great team and a top 20 team in the nation.
A tough challenge on the edge of the penalty area handed Cowley a free kick after three minutes of play. The left footed strike saw the ball bend over the ACC wall and into the back of the net, handing ACC a one-goal deficit. Cowley added one more goal to their lead later in the first half, once again from another set piece.
The Red Devils fired back to start the second half. After an error by the Cowley backline, Alejandro Cabrerra played in Alique Skerritt, who calmly finished to bring the deficit down to one. The Red Devils had another opportunity, but Tiago Troyanos attempt to chip the keeper missed wide.
After the near game-tying goal, things turned ugly. Cowley went on a spree, scoring five unanswered goals.
If we got the equalizer, it definitely would be a different game, Desmarteau said. They got the third one after a mistake, and then the guys dropped their heads and it was over.
During the match, ACC lacked possession, and saw individuals trying to do too much with the ball at their feet. Desmarteau admits that Mondays laugh around game against Ottawa Universitys JV squad didnt help. Despite the tough loss, Desmarteaus men are ready to regroup. After all, this is just one game in a long conference season.
I think everyone needs to look at themselves, including me, and figure out what we can do better, Desmarteau said. When you face adversity, people start pointing fingers at each other, and stuff happens. But, it is only the first conference game, and we have a good group, and I think we will get it done.
The Red Devils will take the next two days to recover, and refocus before facing Johnson Community College at home on Saturday.
