The Barton Community College women’s soccer team remained within a goal through the opening 45 minutes Wednesday evening before fifth-ranked Butler Community College broke the match open in the second half for a 4-0 decision in El Dorado.
The loss leaves the Cougars fifth in the league standings at 1-5-7 in conference play and 3-5-8 overall, while the Grizzlies remain in second place just one point back at 11-1-1 in league play and 14-2-2 overall. Barton returns home Saturday for its home finale, hosting No. 2 conference-leading Cowley College in a 3:00 p.m. kickoff before concluding the regular season Sunday on the road against Hastings College JV.
Butler applied pressure throughout the opening stanza, breaking through in the 12th minute when Heide Bartel collected a Barton clearance and stepped into a 30-yard strike that found the top shelf for the early 1-0 advantage.
Despite Butler’s continued offensive pressure, Barton goalkeeper Lucie Gillig kept the deficit at one heading into halftime, turning away five shots as the Grizzlies outshot the Cougars 13-2 over the opening 45 minutes.
Butler doubled its advantage just 5:52 after intermission when Kimi Shimane’s corner kick found Genevieve LaMarche at the back post for a headed finish. The Grizzlies extended their lead in the 60th minute with a pair of goals just 27 seconds apart, beginning with LaMarche’s cross finding an unmarked Milan Hunter on the backside before a Barton misplay along the backline led to Mao Hara slipping a through ball ahead for Shimane, who tucked her attempt off the near post and in for the 4-0 margin.
Barton began generating opportunities over the final 20 minutes, with Noline Baker putting the Cougars’ first shot on frame in the 74th minute. Gwladys Dumont followed with a pair of attempts on target before Ana Luiza Gori and Maki Kimura each tested the Butler goal in the closing minutes.
The Grizzlies’ goalkeeping tandem of Estelle Olive and Annalys Rivas turned away all five attempts on frame to preserve the shutout.
By the Numbers
Butler finished with a 21-10 advantage in shots, including a 9-5 edge in attempts on goal. Both teams recorded eight shots over the final 45 minutes, with Barton placing all five of its attempts on goal during the second half.
Baker led the Cougar offense with three shots, while Dumont and Kimura followed with two apiece. Between the posts, Gillig went the distance for Barton recording five saves.
Game Notes
– Butler leads the all-time series 28-7-2
– Barton is 3-12-0 in El Dorado, with its last victory coming Sept. 30, 2023
– Butler has won the last six meetings
– Butler has outscored Barton 17-1 over the last four meetings
– Butler swept the season series with identical 4-0 victories
– Barton was held scoreless in both meetings this year
