Lady Tigers storm past Barton 4-1, advance to region semifinals
Scoring less than two minutes into its opening round of the Region VI/Plains District Tournament Friday afternoon in Arkansas City, the No. 19-ranked Cowley College women's soccer team never looked back in a 4-1 win over Barton Community College.
Cowley, the fourth seed in the tournament, improves to 10-5-2, while the fifth-seeded Cougars finish the season with a record of 9-6-4.
After splitting the two regular season matchups, Cowley was up to the challenge with its season on the line.
Lady Tiger sophomore Hina Suzuki continued her amazing season by scoring Cowley's first goal off an assist from Anna Linsler only 1:53 into the contest. Suzuki would add a second goal off an assist from Mai Line Geffry with 19:28 remaining in the first half.
Suzuki's 18 goals are the 10th most nationally.
Cowley's lead would grow to 3-0 when Helene Braren scored her seventh goal of the season with only 1:28 left before halftime.
The Lady Tigers kept the pressure on in the second half and increased its lead to 4-0 on the fourth goal of the season by Geffry.
Barton would finally get on the board thanks to a goal by Micaella Ribeiro with 12:02 remaining. However, the goal would be too little too late as Cowley held on for the 4-1 win.
Sophomore goalkeeper Marin Peoples registered a season-high nine saves in the victory.
"The win over Barton was an amazing performance as a team," Cowley head coach Roberto dos Santos said. "Our girls came out focused and stuck to the game plan. I am very proud of how they came out and represented Cowley."
The Lady Tigers will now prepare to play at No. 7-ranked Kansas City Kansas Community College on Thursday. The Blue Devils (14-0-5) are the top seed in the tournament and defeated Cowley 3-1 when the teams met on October 23 in Arkansas City. Cowley did manage to tie the Lady Blue Devils 1-1 on September 21 in Kansas City, KS.
"Thursday's game will be a very good road challenge," dos Santos said. "KCK has a solid team. We are looking to maintain the momentum we have created and carry it over to the match."