Sluggish start sends Barton women's soccer to season ending loss at No. 19 Cowley #GoBarton

Two minutes into Friday's opening round of the Region 6/Plains District Tournament at the Cowley Sports Complex, the Barton Community College women's soccer team was left fighting from behind as No. 19 Cowley College scored a trio of first half goals to eliminate the Cougars 4-1.

Barton finishes the 2024 season 9-6-4 while Cowley moves to 10-5-2 advancing to the Region 6/Plains District semifinals to face the winner of No. 1 seed Kansas City Kansas Community College hosting No. 8 seed Garden City Community College.

Despite having the wind advantage in the opening 45-minutes, it was Barton's defensive line being challenged from the get-go creating havoc for Cougars' goalkeeper Mio Tanaka.

A Cowley long ball placed behind the Barton backline just 1:53 into the contest fashioned the first opportunity, setting up Anna Linsler's through ball to Hina Suzuki for the first of her two goals on the afternoon.

Mai Line Geffry set up the eventual game winner with 19:28 remaining in the opening half, placing a chipped cross to the backside of the box finding the unmarked foot of Suzuki for her second tally.

Appearing to gain momentum just before the halftime break, Leticia Quadros' apparent free kick goal with 2:45 left stayed off the scoreboard. Instead, it was Cowley seizing all momentum as just 1:17 later Helene Braren's loose ball cleanup created off a Tiger free kick pushed the score to 3-0.

Surrendering their season most fourth goal early in the second half off another Tiger free kick, Barton's greatest scoring chance at that point would be denied with 15:48 remaining as Fiona Jolly's initial penalty kick and rebounded shot attempt were rejected by Cowley keeper Marin Peoples.

Micaella Ribeiro broke up the shutout with Barton's lone goal coming with 12:02 to play, kissing a left footed loose ball strike off the far post from 10-yards out for her third net shaker of the season.

Final statistics had both teams firing off 15 shots including both producing 10 shots apiece between the pipes.