By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Two late first half goals just fifty seconds apart propelled the 8th ranked Barton Community College women's soccer team to a 4-1 victory over 18th ranked Butler Community College in Thursday's Region VI/Plains District Semifinal at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
Punching its second consecutive spot into the Region VI/Plains District Championship game, the top-seeded Cougars improve to 14-1-3 while ending the Grizzlies season for the second straight year as Butler finishes at 10-6-5.
Next up is a trip to Overland Park for a Sunday 1:00 p.m. title bout with 17th ranked and 3rd seeded Cowley College (11-3-4) played at Johnson County Community College's soccer field. The matchup will be the third meeting of the year between the two after playing to a pair of draws on each's home pitch.
Benefitting from a south 10-15mph breeze in the opening stanza, Nina Norshie broke through the Grizzlies backline 16:24 into the contest carrying Ines Mahiaoui's through ball for an easy 1v1 conversion for her 20th goal of the season.
Approaching the final two minutes of the opening frame, Barton's defensive pressure created havoc on the Butler backline with Fiona Jolly picking the pocket of a defender for a one-touch far post twine threader.
Fifty seconds later, Jolly gained possession of an uncleared loose ball within the Grizzlies backline sending a one-touch through ball for a quick near post-strike from Ivanna Faria increasing the advantage to an eventual three goal halftime lead.
Aya Saiki's defensive presence in the 63rd minute produced a 4-0 Cougar advantage, blocking Butler's unsuccessful clear attempt leaving Norshie to possess and chip over the outstretched Grizzlies keeper Carla Apodaca before pounding mid-net for her third straight and 8th multi-net rattler game of the year.
Barton's bid of a shutout slipped through the hands of keeper Mio Tanaka as Ruby Kilden's 45-yard free kick split the wickets with just 15:57 remaining.