DRAW SECURES SECOND PLACE FOR DRAGONS IN KJCCC

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GREAT BEND – The No. 19-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team clinched second place in the 2025 Jayhawk Conference standings on Saturday, battling back from one-goal deficits twice to tie the Barton Cougars 2-2 at Cavanaugh Park.

The Blue Dragons extended their unbeaten streak to nine games (6 wins, 3 ties) to finish the regular season with an 11-2-4 record. The Dragons clinched second place in the KJCCC with an 8-2-4 record (28 points). The Dragons earn the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Region 6 Tournament, which begins on Saturday, November 1 at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.

Freshman Olivia Tamaki had a three-point game with a goal and an assist to lead the Blue Dragons. Freshman Lucy Bacon scored a goal and freshman Poppy Smith added an assist.

Down 1-0 at halftime, the Blue Dragons and Cougars played a fast and furious 1 minute, 8 seconds early in the second half where three goals were scored.

First, off one of four Blue Dragon corner kicks, Tamaki delivered a kick right in front of the goal and Bacon used her left foot to blast as shot into the lower-right corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1 with 39:29 to play in the second half.

Just 54 seconds later after a Hutchinson foul, Barton delivered a free kick into the box and Ayaka Nagano scored from 5 yards out from the left side of the goal to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead with 38:35 to play.

Right off the kickoff the Blue Dragons attacked immediately, Isabela Puccinelli quickly moved the ball up field and passed to Smith, who in turn found Tamaki down the right side. Tamaki scored the game-tying goal 13 seconds later to tie the game at 2-2.

The game, played in rainy conditions throughout the contest, turned into a defensive struggle from that point.

Blue Dragon freshman goalkeeper Evie Carvell (8-2-4) had one save, while Barton keeper Leonie Kerle made seven saves.

Hutchinson outshot Barton 12-8, including 9-3 in shots on goal.

Tamaki's goal was her eighth of the season and Bacon scored her second goal of the season.