Busters run undefeated streak to eight

Good teams know how to win when they don't bring their best.

Coming off a 0-0 tie against the No. 8-ranked team nationally in Barton County, the Garden City Community College men's soccer team did just enough Friday to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games, slipping past a game Allen County squad 2-0 at Memorial Stadium.

"There's just some victories you just have to gut out. You're just not playing at the highest level you possibly can," said GCCC coach Jeff Huffman. "There's some victories you just gut out, and I think tonight we just gutted that thing out and got through it, thank God."

The Broncbusters (7-0-1) scored just 2 minutes, 56 seconds into the contest, when Josh Weber sent a pass to Steve Shaw, who booted it in from about 15 yards out. Little did anyone know it would be nearly 84 minutes before Garden City would find the net again.

"I think we should have passed it in the middle more to get more shots," said GCCC goalkeeper Josh Ermey, who recorded 12 saves in goal. "We weren't playing to our potential."

Coming off what might, to some, almost account for a victory in the tie against Barton, the Busters didn't resemble the team that began the inaugural GCCC soccer program with six consecutive wins.

"I think what it is, is we prepared so much for Barton, and then after this, we just kind of came out here and played it," Huffman said. "And from a coaching standpoint, that's something we can't do. We have to get the team in the right frame of mind for every single game, and I'll take personal responsibility for that one right there."

Ermey made several outstanding saves in goal, including a direct kick by Allen County 's Julio Rodriguez from just outside the goalie box and another stop on a shot from the right side by Cooper Melvin, both in the first half.

"It was physically draining and emotionally draining," Ermey said of Wednesday's Barton game.

Ermey's day became a lot more relaxing when the Busters tacked on the second goal, with just 3:25 left in the game. Greg Gorton drove a shot that Allen County goalkeeper Brock Woodworth knocked down, but Gorton put home the rebound.

Woodworth finished with seven saves for the Devils (1-5-1).

"It's hard to believe they've lost the games they've lost so far," Huffman said. "They definitely played well tonight. They've got some players."

The Busters are on the road Tuesday to play Barclay College in Haviland.