OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 13-ranked Johnson County men's soccer team opened its 2024 season with a pair of road victories in Wilmington, N.C. last weekend. The Cavaliers defeated Cape Fear a 4-0 on Friday, August 23rd, and capped the trip with a 3-1 victory over Wake Tech on Sunday, August 25th. 

Sophomore defender Brian Aleman and sophomore forward Caleb Brueckner were key catalysts to the Cavaliers' offense.  Aleman netted the game winning goals in both matches and added an assist on JCCC third goal in the Cape Fear win. 

Brueckner scored three goals on the weekend. He scored the second and fourth goals against Cape Fear and the final goal against Wake Tech.

Other key performers were sophomore forward Monty Almaliky (1 goal, 1 assist), freshman midfielder Kael Drummond (1 goal), sophomore forward Ryan Grinstead (1 assist), freshman forward Marco Hernandez (1 assist), freshman forward Zach Mall (1 assist), sophomore defender Carson Schmitt (1 assist), sophomore midfielder Dominic Zuniga (1 assist). 

Both goalkeepers were in action over the weekend. Freshman Ben Hertel got the starting nod to open the season. He stopped all four shots he faced to earn his first collegiate shutout victory.  Sophomore Brody Macoubrie earned his 10th career victory against Wake Tech, stopping four of the five shots he faced. 

Johnson County returns home to face a stiff test as they host No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Iowa Lakes on Friday, August 30th at 8 p.m. Iowa Lakes also brings a 2-0-0 record into the match, posting a 4-1 win over Southwestern Illinois and 5-1 win at St. Louis over the weekend.  JCCC will close out the holiday weekend with a home match against State Fair on Monday, September 2nd at 7 p.m.