OVERLAND PARK, Kan.- It was a battle between two nationally ranked teams Saturday night at the JCCC Soccer Complex. The No. 15-ranked Johnson County Community College men's soccer team earned a 2-2 draw against No. 5-ranked and defending conference champion Neosho County.
Neosho County struck first in the 41st minute, but the Cavaliers answered with two goals — both on penalty kicks — in a span of two minutes early in the second half to take a 2-1 lead.
A foul at the top of the box in the 54th minute led to a penalty kick opportunity for sophomore defender Michael Bernabe. His initial attempt appeared to be saved by Panthers goalkeeper Josh Bogan, but Bogan moved early prior to Bernabe striking the ball. Bernabe was awarded another chance and buried it into the back of the net to pull JCCC even at 1-1.
Just two minutes later, sophomore midfielder Kael Drummond was fouled making a run down the left side of the box, giving JCCC another penalty kick. Sophomore forward Tyler Beckord stepped up and drilled his shot into the lower-left corner to put the Cavaliers on top 2-1.
The Cavaliers appeared to be on their way to an upset victory until Neosho's Paul Eder fired a shot that hit the top of the post and rebounded to Callum Niven, who finished it for the game-tying goal.
Despite conceding twice, freshman goalkeeper Daniel Wozniak played well in net, stopping 10 of the 12 shots he faced. With the draw, Wozniak's record stands at 5-3-2 on the season with three shutouts.
This was Johnson County's final home match of the regular season. The Cavaliers will close out the campaign with three straight road contests, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Pratt Community College.