(BY STEVE CARPENTER)
(HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Butler Grizzlies scored two goals in the first 13 minutes of Saturday’s Region VI Tournament first-round game and the Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team couldn’t completely climb out of that hole.

The Blue Dragons scored two second-half goals, but a potential third goal with 5 minutes to play in regulation was turned away and Hutchinson’s season came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Grizzlies.

Hutchinson closes the 2019 season with a 12-4 record. Butler advances to the regional semifinals with a 12-5-1 record.

Butler stung the Blue Dragons with two early goals from Alyssa Stewart and Priscila Bonilla to lead the Blue Dragons 2-0 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons finally broke through with a Chavelle Henry goal from a Syeria Matthias assist just 2:53 into the second half. Butler regained a two-goal lead in the 72nd minute with a Sandra Thiman goal.

The desperate Dragons applied all-out pressure and cut the deficit to 3-2 when Esther Karhayu blasted a goal in the upper-right corner – Samantha Vaughn had the assist – with 18:07 remaining in the second half.

The Dragons continued to apply pressure and Karhayu had Hutch’s third goal on her foot, but she was denied on a tremendous all-out save by Butler goalkeeper Leslie Winkle, who couldn’t control the rebound. Vaughn then blasted a shot just wide of an open net with 4:56 to play.

That turned out to be Hutch’s final shot on goal of the game.

Winkle made six saves against Hutchinson, which out-shot Butler 13-7.

Blue Dragon keeper Chiara Soergel (12-4) had just one save in four shots on goal against her.

Hutchinson its fourth-straight Region VI Tournament game, the last three have come in a regional opener.