Butler Soccer Falls to Hutchinson in Region 6 Semifinals

EL DORADO, Kan. – Butler soccer saw its Region 6 tournament run come to an end as they fell 2-1 to Hutchinson on Thursday afternoon at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.

The Grizzlies fell in the semifinal round of the Region 6 tournament for a second consecutive year. Butler holds a 13-3-4 record and will wait for a potential at-large berth into the NJCAA Division 1 Women's Soccer Championship held in Wichita from Nov. 17-23.

Hutchinson got on the board first as Katharina Marx faced a host of Grizzlies including goalie Rylie Schiffelbein just outside of the box. She passed to an open Haley Rogers who converted in the ninth minute to put the Dragons on top 1-0.

The Grizzlies answered just before halftime to tie the game. Sakiko Manabe sent a left footed shot into the top left corner of the net to make it 1-1 in the 39th minute.

The game winning goal for Hutchinson came in the 58th minute when Haley Rogers was fouled in the box and connected on a penalty shot to make it 2-1.

Butler had plenty of chances throughout the game, outshooting Hutchinson 19-5 including 10-1 in the first half. Blue Dragon goalkeeper Karsyn Slothower finished with 13 saves allowing just the one goal.

Freshman forward London Ingram looked as if she would have a breakaway 1 on 1 vs Slothower as she moved past a Hutchinson defender in the second half but was called for a phantom foul, putting a stop to the potential go ahead goal just 10 minutes into the second half.

Hutch played a stacked defense for the final 15 minutes with the lead. The Grizzlies were unable to get through and score despite getting five shots on goal in that timeframe.