Allen Community College’s soccer teams knew they’d have their hands full Saturday with perennial power Cowley Community College coming to town.
Sure enough, the visiting Tigers showed their defensive prowess in both matches, limiting the ACC men’s scoring opportunities throughout in a 2-0 victory.
On the women’s side, Cowley scored three goals in the game’s final 20 minutes — more than Allen allowed as a team all of last season — in a 4-0 victory.
The setback marks Allen’s first regular season loss since 2019.
“They’re a good Division I team, and I knew it was going to be a tough game,” Red Devil women’s head coach Jeremy McGinnis said. “I felt like we definitely had opportunities.”
For whatever reason, the Red Devils’ game plan went awry after a referee-mandated water break with about 25 minutes left.
Just minutes out of the break, Cowley blasted in a rebound to increase its 1-0 lead to 2-0. Another opening in Allen’s defense led to the Tigers’ third goal in the 80th minute.
The final shot came in the last minute against the weary Red Devils.
“Everything just fell off after the break,” McGinnis said.
McGinnis is optimistic that playing a Division I school ultimately will benefit Allen (3-1) in its march to the Division II playoffs, even though it will take a while to get over the sting of such a tough loss.
“I think it hurt us last year, not getting to play any Division I teams,” he said. “I think we’re gonna learn a lot from our players, and who can play at that level, and who can’t.”
On the bright side, Allen goalkeeper Allison Conrow withstood a barrage of Cowley attacks, and managed a pair of spectacular saves to prevent further damage, including a diving stop to her right.
“She’s got that potential,” McGinnis said. “For her, it’s a matter of consistency.”
THE ALLEN men (2-2) also knew the going would be tough, particularly since the Red Devils were without the services of leading scorer Jordan Mase, who will be out of action for the next month due to a broken nose.
“We were just a little bit slower with possession, holding the ball too long,” Red Devil head coach Doug Desmarteau said. “Our composure is a little off without Jordan in there. He just drives the team. But it’s good for them to learn to play without him.”
