On a day holding final memories for sophomores, a freshman stole the spotlight Thursday as the Barton Community College women’s soccer team defeated Garden City Community College 1-0 in overtime. Being the last women’s game played on the turf of Cougar Field for the 2014 season, freshman Danielle Borelli sent the group of sophomores off in winning style with an eighteen yard strike to the top third just 3:58 into golden goal. The victory improves the Lady Cougars’ run for the fifth spot in the Jayhawk conference at 4-4-1 and 7-6-2 overall while Garden City drops to 2-7-0 and 6-8-1.
Barton controlled most of the near ninety-four minutes of play outshooting the Broncbusters 18-10. However even with a 10-3 advantage on frame, it was a frustrating offensive day as the Cougars failed to capitalize on many opportune goal situations in the second half. Garden City goalkeeper Ashlie Rojas played well in goal but the Lady Cougars simply couldn’t find the magical strike until Borelli’s game winner. Barton reserve goalkeeper Kacee Walsh was stellar in goal behind a solid defensive line including making a leaping save late in the second half keeping the Broncbusters off the board.
In a roll of the dice to start the extra time, Head Coach Aaron Avila and Assistant Coach Ousmane Camara made a lineup change to shake up the attacking front of the Lady Cougars. Moving the speedy defender Ronnie Johnson to the front attack joining Borelli, Edith Real, and Aliya Marshall, the coaches’ emphasis on offense was worth the risk as the defensive line played solid throughout the contest.
The gamble paid off as the combination of Real and Borelli hooked up the game winner. Following a perfect forward ball from Real, Borelli made a move around a Broncbuster defender cutting to midfield and launched an 18-yard strike over the leaping Rojas. The goal was the first of Borelli’s career and the second assist for the reigning conference player of the week Real.
Barton will conclude the regular season with two road games before Region VI playoffs begin November 3. The Lady Cougars will play at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Neosho County Community College before wrapping up the regular season October 23 at Pratt Community College.
Schedule Note: The matchup with Pratt had originally been scheduled for October 28 but due to scheduling conflicts on the men’s side, both Cougar teams will play on October 23rd instead.
