Allen freshman wing Priya Stanger came up big for the Allen Red Devils, sinking the game-winning goal with just over a minute left in regulation to preserve Allen's playoff hopes for one more game.

Needing to win their last three games to qualify for the postseason, the Allen Community College Red Devils are almost there after edging Highland Community College 2-1 Wednesday.

With just over a minute left in regulation, freshman wing Priya Stanger gained enough separation to send a shot inside the right crossbar for the game-winning score.

?I saw the placement, and I shot, it was nothing,? Stanger said. ?I did this the last time we played them. I thought, I have the time, and the placement, so I went for it.?

Before Stanger?s score, the Red Devils and Highland Scotties were mired in a 1-1 stalemate. Neither team lit up the scoreboard until freshman center midfielder Mylee Schroeder found the back of the net off a pass from sophomore striker Jillian Muehlberger at the 35-minute mark. Five minutes later, an unassisted goal by Highland midfielder Ashley Romero leveled the score, which is where both teams remained until the final minute of the contest.

?Our best soccer has yet to be played,? Allen coach Jeremy McGinnis said. ?You can see we?ve improved because because the last time we played Highland they beat us 4-2. We?re peaking at the right time. I feel very confident, but we need to maintain our identity and stay disciplined in everything we do.?

Allen kept Highland on its heels for the majority of the contest ? outshooting Highland 14-8. When the Scotties got within striking distance, their shots went nowhere thanks to freshman goalkeeper Catherine Mitchell rejecting three shots and pressure from her defenders forcing Highland?s other shots to land wide of their intended mark.

?I stayed composed. We made a mistake, but I stayed confident in myself and my team,? Mitchell said. ?I was controlling the back and telling the defenders where to go because I can see the whole field.?

With the win, the Red Devils improved to a .500 record at 7-7-1 overall and improved to 2-6-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. They currently sit fourth in the conference standings, where they must remain if they hope to make the postseason tournament. However, they will need one more win over Pratt (6-9-1, 2-6-1) Saturday.

?Obviously, this is not a position you want to be in, where you have to win out,? McGinnis said. ?I told them ?If you guys want it, then you have to go get it.? They have. They stepped up to the challenge. In my 13 years of being here, I?ve not made the playoffs only once. It?s kind of a tradition and these girls want to be a part of keeping that tradition going.?

Article and Photo Credit: Iola Register