By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Alondra Garcia supplied Great Bend’s offensive firepower with two goals in a 2-1 soccer victory over Emporia.
But the Panthers’ victory was preserved by timely plays by defender Alma Garay. She helped goalie Yamile Hernandez by clearing the ball in front of the goal when the Spartans’ Laiza Perez applied heavy pressure. Garay supplied the perfect play on several occasions.
“It was pretty scary because the pressure is all on me,” Garay said. “Usually, you pass it out, but try to make sure the ball doesn’t go out of bounds. When it’s one-on-one, you just kick it out of there.”
Garay said the defense had to raise its level the second half when the Spartans kept up the pressure.
“The second half we brought our defense up,” Garay said. “Our defenders helped me and we worked together and kept talking to each other.”
Key defenders helping Garay were scrappy Valeria Castillo, Abby McKinney and Alejandra Garcia.
Great Bend (2-0) beat Emporia after losing 5-2 to the Spartans last year. The Panthers travel to Liberal Tuesday for a Western Athletic Conference game.
Alondra Garcia gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead on a strong shot from 20 yards at the 32:17 mark. Emporia’s Ashlyn Prescott beat goalie Hernandez on a one-on-one for a 1-1 tie at the 11:10 mark of the first half.
Garcia delivered the game-winning shot on a penalty kick following a foul against Emporia’s Ayala Guadalupe. Garcia drilled the shot high into the net past Emporia goalie Laura Guzman at the 36:43 mark of the second half. She has scored two goals several times.
“A penalty kick carries a lot of pressure,” she said. “I’m glad I made that goal. I like shooting from outside 18 yards. That’s my best shot from outside.”
Guzman kept the Spartans close with the game’s best save on a header by Panther Kaily Griffith to preserve a 2-1 score.
The Spartans dominated ball possession in the final 20 minutes, peppering Hernandez with near misses. Emporia’s Alessa Torres fed teammates  Prescott and Melani Garcia for several close attempts.
“After we scored the second goal, Emporia tried really hard to tie the game,” said Great Bend coach Gustavo Prieto. “Emporia had some chances. “Alma Garay has great experience on defense. Her team trusts her and she always makes the right play. She’s our last option on defense in front of our goalie.”
Prescott had the closest calls, shooting high over the net on a pair of attempts. Yulisa Enriquez misfired wide on another quality shot.
“Emporia plays a physical style with good players and we knew it would be difficult,” said Preito. “We would’ve like to have played better and controlled the ball better.”

GREAT BEND 2, EMPORIA 1
EHS 1 0 – 1
GB 1 1 – 2
GB—Alondra Garcia, 32:17; E—Ashlyn Prescott, 11:10; GB—Alondra Garcia, 36:43. Records—Great Bend 2-0, Emporia 2-2.