The No. 17-ranked Barton Community College women’s soccer team advanced to an NJCAA Region VI semifinal game, defeating Neosho County 2-0 on Monday afternoon at the Cougars soccer/track complex.
The Lady Cougars improve to 15-3-1 on the season, while ending Neosho’s season at 10-7-1.
Having lost to the Lady Cougars earlier in the season, Neosho was the early aggressor and controlled much of the tempo for the first 20 minutes. However, a patient Barton offensive attack started chipping away at the Lady Panthers defense until the Lady Cougars broke through 25 minutes into the game.
“It was a good game,” Barton head coach Aaron Avila said. “It was a typical tournament game. Everybody came out strong. It was a good, physical game. I guess we weathered the storm, got some chances and finished them.”
Bianca Barron scored on a Cecilee Horlacher assist to make it 1-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Ruth Cazier ricocheted a free kick after a penalty off a Neosho defender for a goal.
Barton will play No. 7-ranked Hutchinson at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hummer Park in Topeka. Hutchinson earned its semifinal berth with an 11-5 victory against Cloud County to improve to 15-1-0 on the season.
“I just told them to get mentally and physically ready,” Avila said of his team. “They’ll remember (Hutch) from earlier in the season. They’re a good team. We know we’ll have to play them well.”