After a two-week layoff, the Barton Community College women’s soccer team’s comeback bid fell just short in a 3-2 road loss at Seward County Community College Wednesday evening in Liberal.
The second straight defeat drops the Cougars to 1-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play, while the unbeaten Saints improve to 2-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in league play. Barton continues its road stretch Saturday afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff at No. 20 Butler Community College, who was knocked off Wednesday night 1-0 at Garden City.
Seward County jumped ahead early, striking twice in the opening 14 minutes. A 59-yard free kick slipped behind the Cougar backline to set up a far-post finish before a misplayed header led to a 1v1 chance that doubled the margin.
Barton cut the deficit in half in the 35th minute. Building through the middle third, Saki Takaki found Katie Potter out wide, with Potter threading a perfectly placed through ball for Ayaka Nagano to beat the Saints keeper for her third goal of the season.
The Cougars drew level in the 66th minute as Kayla Methman‘s 40-yard throw-in dropped behind the Saints’ defense, where Sara Aguirre drove a left footed strike inside the near post for her second tally of the year.
Searching for the go-ahead goal, Barton was turned away late as Seward County regained momentum with 3:22 remaining. A left side attack broke through the Cougar backline, with Julia Astrath placing the game winner inside the upper far post.
Despite outshooting the Saints 13-8, the Cougars late push came up short as Seward’s defense held firm.
SCORING SUMMARY
34:43: Ayaka Nagano (3); Assists: Katie Potter (2), Saki Takaki (1)
65:54: Sara Aguirre (2); Assists: Kayla Methman (1)
