Lady Demons’ defense secures overtime win
By Timothy Everson
For the second time in past three days, the Dodge City High School girl’s soccer team endured a double overtime game. But, unlike their 1-1 tie on Tuesday versus Garden City, they were rewarded for their extra labor with a 1-0 win over Great Bend.
“Playing 80 minutes is tough,” head coach Saul Hernandez said. “Playing 100 minutes is even tougher. I’m proud of the girls. They stuck with it. I could tell the frustration in some of them but they pushed through it.”
The win moves the Lady Demons to 7-2-2 on the season and 4-0-1 in WAC play.
Like many times this season, defense was the name of the game.
“Our defense has kept us in games all season long,” Hernandez said. “They’re really organized and they communicate well. They have a good keeper. All of the defenders back there work well together and know the system. They’re on the same wavelength and that helps.”
Dodge City had their opportunities throughout regulation and the first 
overtime but just couldn’t get past the strong defensive play of Great Bend.
“We’ve been struggling to finish,” keeper Angie Ojeda said. “But I know my girls, whether it’s regular time or overtime, will get it done.”
With the second overtime looming, Hernandez made a personnel adjustment in the hopes to tip the offensive scales in their favor. With Ojeda and the defenders continuing their strong play, the Demons forwent a little extra security in the attempts to boost their firepower.
“I saw the desperation and the urgency of the girls who wanted to score,” Hernandez said. “In the end that’s why I threw three forwards up and just kept three defenders back. We went really offensive and took that risk to get that win at the end and it paid off this time.”
With 4:16 left in the final overtime and the game, Great Bend was able to deflect a couple of game-winners before Aneth Morales finished it off.
The win marked the fifth shutout of the season for the Lady Demons and the second 1-0 win over Great Bend this season.
“I take a lot of pride in a shutout,” Ojeda said. “And it’s not just me. It’s also my defense.
It’s their duty to watch my back and mine to watch their’s and they’ve been doing such a good job where I don’t even have to do my job.”
Dodge City has either won or tied eight games in a row and will attempt to extend that streak on the road next Tuesday at Wichita-East.
