DRAGONS COME UP SHORT IN REGION 6 SOCCER FINAL

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The No. 19-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team dug a three-goal hole in the opening half of its Region 6 Tournament championship game on Saturday and wasn't able to dig out.

The No. 7-ranked ranked and tournament top-seed Cowley Tigers repeated as Region 6 Champions after a 3-0 victory over the second-seeded Blue Dragons at the KCK Soccer Complex on the campus of Kansas City, Kansas, Community College.

The loss snapped an 11-game unbeaten streak for the Blue Dragons (13-3-4). The official pairings for the NJCAA Division I women's soccer championship will be announced early next week and the Dragons hold hopes for an at-large bid.

Cowley's speed defensively make it difficult for the Blue Dragons to sustain any offensive attack. That's not to say the Dragons didn't have any offensive chances.

Hutchinson didn't record its first official shot on goal until the 73rd minute. But Bessie Simpson had a shot off the cross bar and Olivia Tamaki hit one off the left post early in the second half. The Dragons weren't able to get shots off on several loose balls in front of the goal.

After Blue Dragon starting goalkeeper Evie Carvell left the game because of an injury just six minutes into the game, Cowley struck for three goals in the first half.

Louyse Cristine scored in the 14th minute, Sara Cortes scored in the 22nd minute and Sophie Knaab scored in the 33rd minute.

Blue Dragon back-up goalkeeper Rylee Loague (3-1-0) had a season-high six saves.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons have a 28-21 all-time postseason record, including 27-18 in the Region 6 Tournament. … Making their eighth championship game appearance, the Dragons are 3-5 in the title game. … Hutchinson is now 15-8-4 all-time against Cowley, 0-2 in the Region 6 Tournament.