OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 15-ranked Johnson County Community College men's soccer team's 2023 campaign came to an end Thursday night with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the first round of the Plains District playoffs, falling to Neosho County Community College 2-1.
Ryo Aihara put the Panthers on the board in the 44th minute and then went up 2-nil in the 79th minute off a goal by Henri Arnold.
Johnson County managed to pull within one with a penalty kick goal by freshman midfielder Monty Almaliky (Wichita, Kan.), but his goal came with just 25 seconds left in the match. Almaliky finished the season second on the team in points with 21 and tied for the team lead with sophomore forward Jacksyn McIntrye (Blue Springs, Mo.) in goals scored with nine, which rank them tied for fifth in the conference.
Freshman goalkeeper Brody Macoubrie (De Soto, Kan.) took the loss, dropping his season mark to 9-5-3 with three shutouts. He finished with a goals against average of 1.64. His nine wins rank second in the conference.
The Cavaliers, who shared the conference title with Neosho County, end the season with a record of 11-5-3.