Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

9/10/07
Story by Tyler Cundith

Cavaliers down No. 2 Iowa Western, tie No. 10 Illinois Central

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- The Johnson County Community College women’s soccer team, ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA preseason poll, knocked off No. 2 ranked Iowa Western Community College, 3-to-1 Friday afternoon, at the JCCC’ soccer complex.  They capped the weekend with a 1-1 double overtime tie against No. 10 ranked Illinois Central on Sunday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half against Iowa Western, JCCC took the lead nine minutes into the second period on a goal by freshman Becca Forman (Topeka, Kan.), her first as a collegiate player.  Freshman Abby Vestal (Lawrence, Kan.) was credited with the assist.

Rachelle Luster, the NJCAA scoring champion a year ago, netted her 11th goal of this campaign in the 71st minute.  Sophomore Lara Jonusus set the play up with her hustle.  She quickly got ball in to freshman Jessica Wishon (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) who fired a ball across the field to Luster.  Luster made one move the fired the ball with her left foot past the Reivers’ keeper.

Iowa Western cut into JCCC’s lead four minutes later with a penalty kick.  JCCC was called for a hand ball in the box, and Reivers sophomore Lindy Stauffer fired a perfect ball in the upper left corner, making it a 2-1 JCCC lead.

However, the Cavaliers secured its fifth straight win of the season with just over two minutes to play when Vestal hooked up with sophomore Courtney Cowan (Olathe South).  It was Vestal’s second assist in the match, and fifth of the season. The goal is Cowan’s eighth this year.

While JCCC’s offense capitalized on its opportunities, the most valuable performer may have been goalkeeper Megan Brown.  The sophomore out of Olathe Northwest saved 10 shots, matching her second highest game of her career.  After Iowa Western scored, the Reivers picked up their pressure, and Brown stepped up making several big saves.

In Sunday’s match with Illinois Central, Brown again played extremely well.  She recorded a career high 16 saves, allowing just one one, again on a penalty kick.  Samantha Grimes scored her penalty kick at 19:31 in the first period.  

A few minutes, JCCC had an opportunity to match that score with their own penalty kick, but the Cougars goalkeeper Sydney Stahlberg stopped Vestal’s shot.  

JCCC did knot the game at 1-1 late in the first period with an amazing goal by Courtney Cowan.  The sophomore forward took a feed from Luster and scored with a diving header in the 41st minute.