September 28, 2009

Lady Tiger soccer shows improvement in 3-0 loss to Hutchinson

Considering the Cowley College women’s soccer team lost to Hutchinson 11-0 only four week ago, Friday night’s 3-0 loss to the Lady Blue Dragons in Arkansas City shows how far the Lady Tigers have come.

Hutchinson did all of its damage in the first half. Stephanie Franz scored the first goal 12 minutes into the game off a perfect crossing pass from Elisha Schultz. Emily Hammond scored the second goal off a rebound in front of the net less than three minutes later.

Schultz capped the scoring as she scored off a corner kick from Hammond with 27:46 left in the first half.

However, Cowley held Hutchinson scoreless over the game’s final 72 minutes. This marked only the second time this season that Hutchinson had been shutout in a half.

“This game definitely showed some of the growth we have made,” Cowley head coach Dane Straight said.

The win was Hutchinson’s seventh shutout in eight games as they improved to 7-0-1 overall and 5-0 in the Jayhawk Conference. Sophomore goalkeeper Michelle McElroy did not have to post a save in becoming the team’s career leader in victories with 18.

“Hutchinson is very strong and impressive defensively,” Straight said.
Cowley goalkeeper Katie Ybarra shined in goal as she stopped a season-high 20 shots and kept Cowley in the game despite facing constant pressure.

“Katie had a wonderful game, particularly in the second half,” Straight said. “She was all over the place, you know you are going to get every bit of effort she has.”

The Lady Tigers are now 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. Cowley played the contest without three starters in Carol Rodrigues, Ciara Corboy and Monika Otey.

The Lady Tigers expect to have Corboy and Otey back for Wednesday’s game at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at 2 p.m. The Lady Norse are 3-6 on the season.