Story by Wyatt Ebersole:
In a premium matchup between the top women's soccer teams in the Jayhawk Conference, the 6th ranked Butler Grizzlies defeated the 17th ranked Barton Cougars 1-0 at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Grizzlies Head Coach Adam Hunter said of the match, "I thought both teams battled hard. It's one of those games that gives you a really good feel for the upcoming regional postseason."
The win improves the Grizzlies to 15-2-1 overall, 11-0-1 in KJCCC play, and 7-2-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season.
The Grizzlies keeper Kyrah Klumpp and the Butler backline managed to hold the normally potent Cougar offense at bay and completed their sixth shutout of the season. The shutout mark is extra impressive against Barton as the Cougars came into the game averaging 5 goals per game as a team and possessed the NJCAA's leading goal scorer Nina Norshie.
"I'm extremely proud of our girls and the effort they put in and their commitment to defend and keep the Cougars away from our goal." Said Coach Hunter of team's defensive performance
The lone and deciding goal in the contest came in the 53rd minute when Kenzee Godwin slid a ball to the top of the box and to the right foot of Brooklyn Hunter which Hunter blasted into the Barton net giving the Grizzlies the only goal of the match.
Barton had several chances to find both a leading goal and an equalizer, but Kyrah Klumpp made a sensational 11 saves including a pair of diving stops to keep the Cougars at bay.
"Kyrah did everything she had too today. She made a few really big saves that kept them scoreless. I'm really glad that she's on our side and she's a very reliable keeper for us." Said Coach Hunter of his goalkeeper phenomenal performance.
The Grizzlies wrap up their regular season on Saturday, October 22nd at home on Sophomore Day against the always tough KCK Blue Devils
NOTES: Head coach Adam Hunter is now 24-5-0 against Barton…Butler has won 4 straight games against the Cougars…This game was just the second time the Cougars have been shut out all season…Barton now falls to 2nd in the Jayhawk West behind Hutchinson…Butler Soccer has won 23 of their last 25 conference matches…Barton is the last team to beat the Grizzlies in El Dorado, winning 4-0 in the Spring 2021 season
