DRAGONS BREAK THROUGH IN 2ND HALF TO DOWN NEOSHO

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Second halves and the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team have become great partners this season.

After scoring 4 of its 5 goals against Garden City in the second half earlier in the week, the Blue Dragons broke a scoreless tie on Saturday with two second-half tallies to defeat Neosho County 2-0 in a Jayhawk Conference contest at the Salthawk Sports Complex.

The Blue Dragons start a season 6-0 for the first time since 2017 and are 3-0 in the Jayhawk West. The Dragons play host to Dodge City at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Neosho County dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the Jayhawk East.

After being tied 0-0 at the half, the Blue Dragons started to generate more quality possession in the second half. The Dragons had one goal disallowed in the second half.

Sophomore Zara Lawless finally broke the tie with a strong shot from 28-yards out that carried against the wind and sailed into the top corner of the goal to put the Blue Dragons up 1-0 in the 78th minute. The goal was Lawless' first of the season and second of her career. The goal was also her first career game-winning goal.

Similarly, in the 87th minute, sophomore Julia De Souza blasted a powerful shot from just outside the penalty box to give the Blue Dragons a 2-0 lead. De Souza's goal is her second of the season. She has scored goals in back-to-back games.

Both goals were unassisted.

The Blue Dragons posted their third-consecutive shutout and it was the second time this season and 50th time in program history the Blue Dragons did not allow a shot on goal. Hutchinson out-shot Neosho County 12-0.

Blue Dragon sophomore goalkeeper Madison Quarles (3-0) recorded her second straight shutout.

Hutchinson is now 14-2 all-time against Neosho County and have defeated the Panthers 14 consecutive times.