Freshman Elijah Bathily (9), who had an assist on KCKCC’s first goal in a 2-1 win over Iowa Central Sunday, outraced the Tritons’ Mauro Garretano (23) and Jose Dos Reis (2). (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins) Alejandro Maillet (10), who had the game-winning goal in overtime, broke away from Iowa Central’s Ahmed Abdalla in the Blue Devils’ 2-1 win. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
As wins go, they don’t get much better than Kansas City Kansas Community College’s extra period 2-1 win over Iowa Central Sunday.
Alejandro Maillet, a sophomore midfielder from Copenhagen, Denmark, headed home the game winner in the opening three minutes of overtime to give the Blue Devils (1-1-1) their first win of the season. The game-winner came on an assist from Cheslyn Ashby, a freshman from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The “Golden Goal” set off a long and wild celebration as the entire squad engulfed Maillet and Ashby.
“The game winner was a pin point cross from Cheslyn that Alejandro buried in the net with a powerful header,” KCKCC assistant coach Burke Slusher said. “The play was a team goal that started with the back and played through the midfield before eventually finding Ashby on the right flank. Ashby worked to beat a defender to drive the ball over another defender to find Maillet on a long run from the midfield.”
KCKCC took an early lead on a goal by sophomore Marco Cabral on an assist from freshman Elijah Bathily only to have Iowa Central tie it a few minutes later and the contest turned in to an exhausting defensive battle.
“Pretty much a standoff the second half with both teams trading possessions,” Slusher said. “It was a good win for us. Our guys are learning how to play together and trust one another. We just need to keep rolling.”
A goal in the opening minutes of overtime set off a jubilant KCKCC celebration Sunday. The goal by Alejandro Maillet gave the Blue Devils a 2-1 win over Iowa Central. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
