Coffeyville, Kan. - The Coffeyville Community College Red Raven Men's Soccer Team opened up their 2021 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) play with an outstanding 2-1 victory over KJCCC East rivals Johnson County. With the victory, the Red Ravens improve their overall record to 2-0 including an early-season 1-0 record in KJCCC play. 

The lights were on, the fans were out, and the Coffeyville Red Ravens were eager to defend their 2020 KJCCC East Championship Crown. The first ten minutes were very competitive and open on both ends of the field. Both Coffeyville and Johnson were looking to score the first goal of the match. Coffeyville had the first clear opportunity when sophomore goalkeeper Cuba Grant sent a dime over the top and into the path of Red Raven freshman Rhys Thompson. Thompson broke away from his defender and found himself one on one with the Cavalier keeper. Rhys' chipped shot made it over the keeper but hit the crossbar and did not find the back of the net.

The Red Ravens continued to create chances and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 34th minute of the first half. Sophomore Pedro Branco was on the ball for a set-piece 30-yards out from the goal. Branco whipped in a beautiful cross that found the head of sophomore Tiago Dias. Dias left his defender in the dust, elevated above everyone else in the area, and put the ball in the back of the net with a powerful header. The momentum quickly shifted to Coffeyville and they used it to take control of the remainder of the half. The Red Ravens went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over the Cavaliers.

After their halftime talk, Coffeyville looked determined to pick up the second half right where they left off. Johnson County came out the break energized and looking for their equalizer. The Cavaliers were able to create chances of their own but the Red Ravens defended well. Raven Sophomore Tahj Hilton made his presence known on the Coffeyville backline. He won every one of his aerial battles, made key tackles, and did not give the Johnson County attackers any time or space to work with. Sophomore Daniel Gomes and freshman Harvey Ormerod made a great duo in the middle of the park. Both lads were all over the pitch defending, facilitating play, and creating chances for the Red Ravens.

Johnson County desperately looked for their first goal and they found it in the 70th minute to tie the game up at 1-1.

Coffeyville responded well to Johnson's goal and looked to take back control of the game. Freshman Jack Greenwood was a nightmare for the Cavaliers' backline. The big lad held up play well, slotted in great passes to his teammates, and nearly got on the score sheet himself. The Cavaliers were only able to keep the game tied for 6 minutes as the Red Ravens found their go-ahead goal in the 76th minute. Greenwood got a flick on the ball that pushed it into the path of Rhys Thompson. Thompson drove the ball towards goal with two decisive touches, put his head down, and fired the ball on target. One of Johnson County's center backs attempted to block the shot but it had too much power behind it. The ball took a deflection off the Cavalier defender, found its way over the keeper, and into the back of the net. With only 14 minutes left in the match, the Red Ravens were able to keep Johnson County from gaining any traction back into the game. Coffeyville defended well as a unit, continued to be a threat on offense, and looked for another goal to put the game to rest. The Red Ravens took care of business and saw the match out to secure a 2-1 victory over the Cavaliers. 

Red Raven freshman forward Jack Greenwood was named the Player of the Game.

The Red Ravens' next match will be a road trip to Barton Community College on Saturday, September 4 in Great Bend Kansas. Kick-off is set for 3 pm.