Garden City stays close before falling to rival Dodge

Dodge City, KS-There's been one constant about Scott Westbrook's Broncbuster soccer team: No matter how dire the situation, they're never out of a match.

And while they fell short on Sunday, Garden City was right there once again.

Dodge City scored three second-half goals to beat their rivals 4-2 at Memorial Stadium.

"It was definitely a hard-fought match, and it could have went either way," Head Coach Scott Westbrook said. "We have to be better defensively."

The Conquistadors took the lead 25 minutes into the first half when Joseph Vazquez scored an unassisted goal. The match would stay 1-0 until Vasquez struck again six minutes into the second half.

"We have to bring a bigger presence on defense," Westbrook said. "That's imperative."

The Broncbusters cut the deficit in half when Peter Lvusic connected off a corner kick with 25 minutes remaining. Then, after Johnny Dezile made it 3-1 Dodge City, the Broncbusters got right back in it with Miguel Hernandez's goal that trickled past Dodge City goalie Angelo Squizato Neto.

But the backbreaker came three minutes later when Connor O'Neill notched his second assist-setting up Aries Yeverino for the score at the 84-minute mark.

The Broncbusters lost the match despite outshooting the Conquistadors 18-8. Goalie Kender Acevedo recorded two saves.

Next up: Garden City at NW Kansas Tech-Tuesday, Oct. 3 5 p.m.