Another Jayhawk Conference battle ended in familiar fashion Wednesday afternoon as the Barton Community College women’s soccer team overcame an early deficit in misty, breezy conditions to earn a 1-1 draw against Dodge City Community College at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
The second draw between the two squads this season leaves Barton 1-3-7 in conference action and 3-3-8 overall, while Dodge City shifts to 2-6-3 in league action and 5-6-3 on the year. The Cougars will conclude their two-game homestand Saturday, hosting Seward County Community College for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
Playing against a steady 15-mph north wind during the opening half, Barton found itself trailing early as Dodge City capitalized on a defensive miscommunication in the 15th minute. A long ball sent forward by the Conquistadors created confusion along the Cougar backline, allowing Adriana Garcia Caceres to collect the loose ball and put home an uncontested finish for a 1-0 advantage.
With the wind at their backs in the final 45, the Cougars began working toward the equalizer before breaking through in the 60th minute. Juilette Rouchon sent a 30-yard ball into the box, where it took one bounce before finding an unmarked Ana Luiza Gori at the back post. Luiza Gori timed the one-hopper perfectly, firing a quick strike past the Dodge City keeper for her team-tying seventh goal of the season to draw Barton even at 1-1.
The 1-1 deadlock held over the final 30 minutes as both sides continued generating opportunities for the go-ahead goal. Barton nearly broke through in the 87th minute on an Ella Swift attempt turned away by Dodge City goalkeeper Laia Darnaculleta Rey, while Lucie Gillig answered with a pair of late saves, including preventing a header attack with just 12 seconds remaining, to preserve the draw.
By the Numbers
After being outshot 10-2 in the opening half, Barton turned the tables offensively with a 13-10 shot advantage over the final 45 minutes. The Cougars finished with 15 shots, placing nine on frame, while Dodge City totaled 20 attempts with 13 on target.
Maki Kimura paced the Cougar attack with four shots, followed by Luiza Gori and Swift with three apiece. Swift placed two of her attempts on frame, while five additional Cougars registered a shot each.
Between the pipes, Gillig turned in a season-high 12 saves, including eight in the second half, while Dodge City’s Darnaculleta Rey finished with eight stops.
Game Notes
Wednesday’s result marked Barton’s second consecutive draw and extended the Cougars’ unbeaten streak against Dodge City to 18 matches (15-0-3).
It also marked the first time in series history both regular-season meetings ended in draws, with three of the last six matchups finishing level.
The tie was just the third over the last 18 meetings and the first between the programs in Great Bend since a scoreless draw on Sept. 3, 2014.
BARTON SCORING SUMMARY
59:19: Ana Luiza Gori (7); Assist: Juilette Rouchon (3)
