THE RIPPLE EFFECT:

Kansas City Current II looks to secure division, conference titles in regular seasons’ final weekend

Kansas City Current II took a significant step towards securing a postseason berth in their inaugural Women’s Premier Soccer League campaign last weekend with a pair of victories.  

From a bird’s eye view, the results are impressive enough. Current II won both matches on the road by a combined score of 9-1, including a 2-0 victory over previously undefeated Fire & Ice SC last Sunday. A combination of fortunate results from across the league left Kansas City as the final remaining undefeated team in the Midwest Conference. The Current II is also first place in the Heartland Division and on the inside track to cement an impressive season in their final regular season games. 

Most impressively, though, Current II did not travel to Illinois with a traditional goalkeeper.  

Field players had to fill the void, and they delivered over the course of both matches. Forward Caroline Kelly, Current II’s leading goalscorer, started between the sticks in last Saturday’s match against Central Illinois United. Midfielder Lily Farkas gave Kansas City’s backline some early cushion with a 25-yard strike in the 6th minute, but Central Ilinois equalized just over 15 minutes later. The host’s goal marked the first that Current II had conceded all season.  

However, head coach Huw Williams’ squad took over from there. Current II forward Dilary Heredia-Beltran led the charge, as the West Virginia University product supplied a goal and an assist as Kansas City scored three goals over the final seven minutes of the first half. Beltran and forward Amelia Horton scored Current II’s second-half goals in the 7-1 victory. 

Then came Kansas City’s most challenging test of the season, a showdown with Fire & Ice SC, one of the WPSL’s most decorated clubs and a squad sporting an unbeaten record entering the contest.  
 
Forward Chelsea Wagner started in goal for Current II and made a massive save in the 15th minute to keep the game scoreless. Kansas City ultimately withstood Fire & Ice’s early pressure and grew into the match, then opened the scoring through a rebound goal by forward Brie Severns in the 31st minute. Current II took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but the hosts renewed their pressure in the second half and created multiple threatening scoring opportunities.  
 
In the late stages of a tense second half, Farkas delivered Kansas City’s insurance goal to secure a vital 2-0 win. Beltran provided the assist, and Current II held on to earn a shutout.  
 
Kansas City Current II’s first regular season campaign ends this weekend with a pair of home matches. On June 25, Current II faces Fire & Ice SC at 3:00 p.m. CT with an opportunity to wrap up the Heartland Division. Then, on June 26, Kansas City faces Iowa Raptors FC. Current II previously defeated the Raptors 7-0 on May 28.  
 
Current II home matches are closed to the general public. The team’s official twitter account, @thekccurrentii, will provide score updates from both contests.