OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 7-ranked Johnson County Community College men's soccer team rallied from a one goal deficit for a 2-1 victory over Central Community College at the JCCC Soccer Complex Wednesday night. With the win the Cavaliers improve to 9-2-0 on the season while extending their win streak to five straight matches.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first half but just two minutes and 11 seconds after the start of the second half the Raiders broke 0-0 tie with an unassisted goal by Jaime Zani with his team-leading ninth goal.
Johnson County quickly evened the score in the 53rd minute when sophomore defender/midfielder Christian Martinez fed a perfect ball off a corner kick in front of the net and freshman defender Liam Catano jumped up and headed the ball into the net for his first score of the season.
The Cavaliers took the lead for good in the 79th minute when sophomore forward Ryan Grinstead fired a rocket past Raiders keeper Emiliano Garcia for his fifth goal of the year. Sophomore midfielder Brian Aleman provided the assist, his third of the season.
Central pressed forward the final 10 minutes, but JCCC sophomore goalkeeper Brody Macoubrie and the Cavaliers defense held strong to close out the match. Macoubrie stopped three of four shots faced and improved to 4-1-0 on the year and to 13-6-3 over his two seasons.
Johnson County returns to the pitch on Saturday night, October 5 when they host conference leader Neosho County Community College (7-1-2/4-0-1) at 7 p.m. The Panther defeated the Cavaliers in Chanute 4-2 earlier this season.