Trail Blazers erase two-goal deficit, earn first victory with late offensive flurry

QUINCY — A two-goal deficit at halftime in what had been a winless season to date could have turned into a playing-out-the-string effort from the John Wood Community College women’s soccer team Wednesday afternoon.

Trail Blazers coach Hayley Womack refused to let that be the case.

“The halftime talk with the team had one focus — the team that showed the most passion for the win would come out on top by the end of the game,” Womack said.

The effort was enthusiastic.

JWCC held Parkland without a shot in the second half while scoring three times with Breighlyn Thomas netting the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory on the JWCC campus.

Parkland maintained its two-goal lead until 10 minutes remained in regulation when Kirsten Kramer scored off a Thomas assist. Five minutes later, Mia Smith scored off a Kramer assist to tie the game. Thomas scored an unassisted goal for the game-winner with two minutes remaining.

“The players battled until the last minute of the game,” Womack said. “You saw the passion and heart in each player.”

The Trail Blazers are 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-West Athletic Conference.