Four first-half goals sent the Barton Community College women’s soccer team to a season-ending 5-0 defeat Saturday afternoon at third-seeded Hutchinson Community College in the opening round of the Region 6/Plains District Tournament.
The loss ends the Cougars’ season at 4-7-8 overall, while the Blue Dragons improve to 10-6-3 on the year, advancing to Wednesday’s semifinal round at second-seeded and sixth-ranked Butler Community College.
Hutchinson broke through in the 21st minute when Poppy Smith collected a loose ball following a pair of Barton blocks and found the back of the net. The Blue Dragons added two more goals over the next six minutes, beginning with Lucy Bacon finishing an Olivia Tamaki corner kick in the 25th minute before Zemyna Lekaviciute connected on an 18-yard strike into the upper corner in the 27th minute.
The Blue Dragons extended their lead to 4-0 with 4:37 remaining in the opening half when a Barton defensive miscue led to an Olivia Tamaki goal. Hutchinson added its final tally in the 74th minute as Isabell Van Fleet worked through the Cougar backline before finishing inside the far post.
Barton generated seven of its eight shots following intermission, beginning with Ayaka Nagano putting the Cougars’ first attempt on frame in the 53rd minute. Ana Clara Paltanin added a pair of shots on goal in the 71st and 88th minutes, but Hutchinson goalkeeper Hanna Helshani turned away all three attempts to preserve the shutout.
By The Numbers:
Hutchinson finished with an 18-8 advantage in shots, including a 10-3 margin in attempts on goal. The Blue Dragons outshot Barton 11-1 during the opening half before both teams recorded seven shots following intermission.
Gwladys Dumont and Clara Paltanin led the Cougars with two shots apiece, while Nagano, Maki Kimura, Mikka Kolle and Karina Pineda each added one.
Between the posts, Lucie Gillig recorded four saves during the opening 45 minutes before Hutchinson native Graciela Medina took over in the second half, adding one save.
Game Notes:
– Hutchinson leads the all-time series 24-8-6
– The Blue Dragons hold a 15-2-2 advantage in meetings played in Hutchinson
– Barton is 0-4-3 over its last seven meetings against Hutchinson
– The Cougars are 0-12-2 in their last 14 trips to Hutchinson
– Barton has dropped six consecutive road meetings against the Blue Dragons, with its last victory in Hutchinson coming Sept. 25, 2013
