Kellogg Community College’s women’s soccer team came back from a 2-0 deficit in the first half of the team’s away match Wednesday to win its second victory over Ancilla College this season, besting the Chargers 6-2.
KCC’s first victory of the year was a 2-0 win over Ancilla at home on Aug. 30.
On offense for the Bruins, forward Baylee Willis (East Leroy/Climax-Scotts High School) scored five goals; defender Nevia Carrillo (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School) scored one; and midfielder Esther Beavers (Battle Creek/Calhoun Christian School) had an assist. Goalkeeper Cacey Hirleman (Battle Creek/Harper Creek High School) kept the net for all 90 minutes of the game.
Head Women’s Soccer Coach Eierí Jordán Salivia said the Bruins never gave up, despite a long trip with harsh weather on the drive to Indiana.
From Coach Salivia:
“This was a great show of resilience on their part. Our philosophy within the coaching staff is we want the students to resolve the challenges that arise on their own, and while in play. That is what the game is about and that is the type of ‘game IQ’ I want them to get and take with them before they graduate. The first game-changer situation was a breakaway from Brenna (Tutt, Portage/Climax-Scotts High School) who faced the goalkeeper and got charged in a way that cause a foul and a penalty kick in our favor. Our midfielder Nevia demonstrated composure and helped us get the score closer at that point, 2-1.
“The rest of the first half was a struggle for us to form a threatening attack. That struggle automatically triggered some tactical changes for the second half. Fortunately, those changes changed the game completely and we came back with five goals from Baylee to finish the game 6-2. It was pretty exciting to see the ladies flourish like that, attacking intelligently, understanding the game and capitalizing on opportunities.”
To sign up to receive emails with soccer results following each women’s soccer game, visit www.kellogg.edu/soccer and fill out the “Get KCC Athletics Results by Email” form on the left side (desktop) or bottom (mobile) of the page. You can also follow the women’s soccer team:
Up Next
The Bruins return to Battle Creek to play the team’s next two games at home on campus. The team’s next game starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, against Delta College; Coach Salivia said it’s expected to be “our hardest challenge up to this point in our first year.” The Bruins get a second shot at Muskegon Community College starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, after MCC won its first match against KCC 9-0 in August.
Admission to both games, as with all KCC home games, is free.
For more information about KCC’s women’s soccer team, including a full team roster, schedule and links to official team and player photos available for download by fans and the press, visit www.kellogg.edu/soccer.
Coach Salivia can be reached at 269-565-2860 or saliviae@kellogg.edu.