Despite an early lead Sunday in El Dorado, the Barton Community College women’s soccer couldn’t contain No. 15 ranked Butler Community College in falling 4-1 at the BG Products Sports Complex. The fifth straight loss to the Grizzlies drops Barton below the .500 mark in conference play at 3-4-1 and 6-6-2 overall while Butler keeps chase in the conference race at 6-0-1 and 9-3-3 overall.
Taking advantage of a Grizzly defense miscue, Aliya Marshall was able to steal and convert a one-on-one situation against the keeper to give Barton the 1-0 lead just 2:36 into the contest.
Butler got the equalizer with 21:41 remaining when Kileigh Vann put a header to the back of the net converting the Kelly Sutton corner kick. As Barton began to lose execution, the Grizzlies step up the offensive pressure and six minutes later, Dalia Fernandez took a Rosa Urista-Chico pass just inside the 18′ to blast to the far post past the diving Barton goalkeeper Maria-Elena Garcia.
The Grizzlies wasted little time increasing the lead out to two as Jaclyn Means stuck back a Brittney Lawrence shot on goal just 3:16 into the second half. Any dashes of hope of a Barton comeback were sorely diminished as the Cougars were whistled for a handball just inside the penalty box area with 29:50 remaining. Butler’s Paige Thompson stepped up to drill the penalty kick and give the Grizzlies its final 4-1 margin victory.
Having only three remaining games in the regular season, Barton will play it final home game this Thursday in a 3:00 p.m. Jayhawk matchup against Garden City Community College. As the Cougars are tied for sixth in the standings, the Broncbusters (2-6-0 conference, 6-7-1 overall) are fighting for a playoff position. Barton will then conclude the regular season at Neosho County Community College (October 19) and at Pratt Community College (October 28).
