The Barton Community College women's soccer team's unbeaten start to the season came to an end Saturday afternoon as fourth-ranked Butler handed the nationally receiving-votes Cougars a 4-0 defeat at Cougar Field.
Barton slips to 0-1-5 in KJCCC play and 2-1-6 overall while Butler remains perfect through six conference matches at 6-0-0 and improves to 9-1-1 overall. The Cougars continue their challenging stretch Wednesday with a 5:00 p.m. road contest at No. 8 Cowley College.
Butler controlled possession and the scoring opportunities throughout the opening half, breaking through 9:09 into the contest following a Barton turnover. Kimi Shimane and Itzelle Lumbreras perfectly executed a give-and-go, with Lumbreras finishing the sequence on an 18-yard strike. The Grizzlies continued applying pressure, twice ringing attempts off the crossbar before Milan Hunter's backside header doubled the margin at the 30:01 mark, putting away a cross from Genevieve LaMarche.
Flipping ends of the field for second-half action, a stiff 20-25 mph south wind did little to slow Butler as the Grizzlies increased their lead just 6:27 after intermission. Hunter's airborne defensive header sent Butler back toward the offensive end, where Mao Hara collected the ball and slipped a through ball to LaMarche for a far-post strike. Just over two minutes later, the Grizzlies capped the scoring as Heide Bartel's touch found Amiyah Hamilton-Thompson, who threaded a through ball between defenders for Shimane to run onto and rattle the net for the final goal of the afternoon.
Barton generated its offensive opportunities over the final 20 minutes, beginning with Ella Swift putting the Cougars' first shot on frame in the 71st minute. Ana Clara Paltanin followed with a pair of attempts, including one on target, before Karina Pineda produced Barton's final threat with a shot on goal in the 86th minute.
By the Numbers
Butler finished with a 25-5 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in shots on goal while generating seven corner kicks to Barton's two. The Grizzlies did most of their damage statistically in the opening half, outshooting Barton 17-0 before the Cougars produced all five of their attempts following intermission. Barton goalkeepers Graciela Medina and Lucie Gillig split the 90 minutes, with Medina making three saves in the opening half before Gillig recorded two saves over the final 45 minutes