By Brad Hallier
For the first since 2014, the Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team will play in the Region 6 championship game.
Thursday in El Dorado, the third-seeded Blue Dragons upended No. 2 seed Butler 2-1 in the Region 6 semifinals.
Haley Rogers scored both Blue Dragon goals. The first came from a clever assist from Katharina Marx in the 10th minute, when Marx had the ball among a trio of Butler defenders, including the goalkeeper. Marx unselfishly slid a pass to a wide-open Rogers, who scored into an empty net.
Butler would equalize before halftime, but Rogers reclaimed the lead in the 58th minute on a penalty kick.
Butler had the upper hand in terms of shots, as the Grizzlies put 14 on goal compared to three for the Blue Dragons. Goalkeeper Karsyn Slothower continued her strong season with 13 saves.
Hutchinson will go for its fourth Region 6 championship at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Johnson County Community College. The Blue Dragons will play either Cowley or Kansas City. The winner will qualify for the NJCAA Tournament, and Hutchinson will be looking for its first appearance.
