Box Score DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City Community College goalkeeper Elyssia Lucio was the only person between Hesston College's Mikaela Zook and a go-ahead goal late in a 1-1 contest Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium.

Zook broke free without a defender within 10 yards near the top of the penalty area and Lucio charged the Larks' forward. The sophomore keeper perfectly timed a sideways slide that knocked the ball free from the charging Zook to keep the contest tied to the thrill of the Conquistadors.

That key play in the 78th minute kept the game tied and helped set up Cynthia Rodela's game-winning goal in the 85th minute to give DC3 a 2-1 victory in the team's home opener.

"Elyssia Lucio came out and played really well and has done so all season," DC3 coach Tom Romanello said. "She struggled a bit last year with her consistency, but came up huge with that one-on-one save. It was fantastic. The other team found a gap, and if they would've scored, then it likely would've been over. She's the single reason we were able the sneak out a victory."

DC3 (2-1) due to injury was down to just one substitute in the final 10 minutes of the game, but still found a way to win thanks to Rodela's second goal of the contest.

In the 85th minute a ball bounced free in front of the goal box and Rodela was there to punch it in for the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1.

The contest was scoreless in the first half and it was Hesston (3-1) that got on the board first when Sarah Hoover scored on an assist from Zook in the 50th minute.

However, the lead didn't last long as three minutes later a beautiful cross by Ariana Dawson was converted into a goal by Rodela to tie the game at 1-1.

Each team had its chances to score (DC3 had 14 shots while Hesston had 10), but struggled to convert.

"As ugly as it was, a win is a win," Romanello said. "We played a much better second half than we did a first half. We have a little fitness to work on, but other than that, a win is a win. It's good to win ugly. Good teams can win ugly."

DC3 plays its KJCCC opener 4 p.m. Wednesday at home against Cowley County.