DRAGONS FALL TO INDIAN HILLS IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Locked in a tough defensive battle, the only mistake the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team made ended being a big one on Saturday afternoon.

Indian Hills scored in the 72nd minute and in a game where shot attempts were at a premium, the Warriors defeated the Blue Dragons 1-0 at Don Michael Field to close out opening weekend.

The Blue Dragons were playing shorthanded as injuries limited the use of the bench. Add to that fact that each team's overall speed negated any true offensive possession. There were a combined 13 shot attempts and only six made it on goal.

But in the middle stages of the second half, the Warriors struck.

Kiri Chiba played a long ball into the box. Hutchinson goalkeeper Chiara Soergel came out to play the ball, but Indian Hills' Miranda Kurtt beat her to the ball and headed home the game's only goal into the lower right corner.

Other than that, Hutchinson's defense was superb, limiting the Warriors to just seven total shots, four were on goal. Soergel made three saves. Indian Hills' keeper Elani Mears had two saves.

Hutchinson's only good scoring opportunity came early in the second half when Esther Karahayu was able to beat her defender near the left corner of the box. After making that initial move, she couldn't get the ball to settle like she wanted and her shot was wide right.

Now 1-1, the Blue Dragons will play host the Redlands at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Salthawk Sports Complex.