Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Sophomore Aimee Maher's penalty kick in the 25th minute was the lone tally and sent the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2017.
Maher's fourth career penalty kick and a strong defensive effort pace the Blue Dragons to a 1-0 victory over Western Wyoming in the 2022 home opener at the Salthawk Sports Complex.
The Blue Dragons 4-0 for the eighth time in program history. The Dragons travel to Garden City on Wednesday for a Jayhawk West matchup. The Mustangs fall to 3-5.
The Blue Dragons weren't able to generate many scoring chances on Sunday. The only true scoring chance of the first half came in the 25th minute when sophomore Hadlie Lowe was taken down in the penalty box and the Dragons were awarded a penalty kick.
Maher hammered home the penalty kick in the upper left corner of the goal past Western keeper Ally Collingwood with 24:56 remaining in the first half.
The Blue Dragon defense made that goal stand.
Western Wyoming found little room through the midfield and came up with only a few scoring chances that were turned away by Hutchinson's back line.
The Mustangs were held without a shot on goal and only six total shots. Western Wyoming had a direct free kick in the second half hit outside the next. Blue Dragon defenders Zara Lawless and Lexi Jack also blocked shots in the box after a mad scramble following a Western corner kick. No shots got back to Blue Dragon keeper Madison Quarles (2-0), who was credited with her first career shutout.
Sunday's game was the 49th time in Blue Dragon history to not allow a shot on goal during a match.
The Blue Dragons produced only five shots on goal with Western's Collingwood making four saves.
The Blue Dragons defeated Western Wyoming 1-0 for the second-straight season.
GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 15-3 all-time in home openers. … Hutchinson is 3-0 all-time against Western Wyoming. … The Blue Dragons are now 16-11 all-time in 1-0 matches. … Aimee Maher is now 4 of 6 in her career on penalty kicks. … The Blue Dragons are now 46 of 54 in program history on penalty kicks. … Hutchinson starts a season 4-0 for the eighth time in program history.