For sixty-five minutes Wednesday at the Cougar Soccer Complex, the Barton Community College women’s soccer team appeared to be heading for an upset of Hutchinson Community College. Credit to the No. 17 Blue Dragons as Hutchinson pelted away at the Barton defense in the second half forcing an extra frame then ending the Cougars hopes with the 2-1 overtime victory. The Lady Cougars’ setback drops Barton to 5-5-2 overall and 2-3-1 in conference play while Hutchinson remains unbeaten and at the top of the Jayhawk standings at 6-0-1 and 7-1-1 overall.
Despite two shots on goal in the first half, Barton made the most of it taking the lead with 32:08 left in the first half. Freshman midfielder Maria Munoz provided the shot launching a strike outside the top of the 18′ finding the top 90 past a leaping Hutchinson goaltender Jennifer Currie.
With a constant attack by the Blue Dragons, the Cougars stood their ground until a penalty just outside the box with 23:18 remaining changed everything. Trying to split two defenders, Hutchinson’s Jen Rogers received the benefit of the play as two Barton converged and was whistled for the penalty. Rogers, shooting over a wall of five Barton players, found the top 90 near post to tie it up.
Barton suddenly became the attacker most of the overtime period, but the Hutchinson defense stiffened each time including setting up the Blue Dragon game winner. As Barton had a throw in midway into their offensive end of the field, Hutchinson quickly stole the pass and launched a counterattack as Kerri McNutt found Clair Taylor who outdueled the Cougar defense getting the game winning strike to the far post ending the contest with 2:49 remaining.
The Blue Dragons finished with a 30-5 shot advantage including a 13-4 edge in frame.
Barton will have six days until their next action as the Lady Cougars will host Cowley College in a 2:00 p.m. conference game next Tuesday, October 7.
