Butler handles NW Kansas Tech 6-1 in Region VI quarterfinals

Butler soccer remained undefeated in Region VI quarterfinal play by beating Northwest Kansas Tech by a 6-1 score Saturday at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex. 

Butler led 2-0 at hafltime, then added four second-half goals for its season-high seventh consecutive win while improving to 14-0 all-time in quarterfinal round play. The Grizzlies also extended their Region VI postseason winning streak to 16 straight victories.

With the win, the Grizzlies (15-4 overall, 11-1 conference) advance to the Region VI semifinal round, where they will face top-seeded Cloud County (13-3) at 11 a.m. Thursday at Topeka's Hummer Sports Park. No. 2 Johnson County will battle No. 6 Coffeyville in the other semifinal match at 1:30 p.m. Johnson defeated Barton 7-0, while Coffeyville knocked off Hutchinson 2-1 in Saturday's quarterfinal play.

The Grizzlies didn't take long to get rolling against Northwest Tech, as sophomore forward Michelle Palfrey broke free and scored on an open net just two minutes into the match, with sophomore forward Kennedy Weaver assisting on the play.

Butler added a second goal in the 31st minute on a goal by Weaver with a left-footed shot on an assist by Taylor Martinez.

Northwest cut the deficit in half in the 67th minute on a goal from Adrijana Felix, who broke away from the Butler defense and beat Grizzly keeper Elena Garcia.

Butler responded just 41 seconds later on a open left-footed shot by Ky Kreemer to put the Grizzlies up 3-1.

The Grizzlies added three more scores in the final 12 minutes, with goals from Melonie Baca, Weaver and Erin Akin.

Butler outshot Northwest 26-8, while the Grizzlies had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

NOTES: Butler improved to 3-0 all-time vs. Northwest Kansas Tech - including 2-0 in Region VI quarterfinal rounds. The Grizzlies won both of the previous two meetings by an 8-0 margin... Butler is now 31-8-0 (.795) all-time in Region VI playoff contests and 13-0 in home playoff games in El Dorado... The six goals scored are the most by the Grizzlies in a playoff game since Butler's 8-0 win over Northwest Tech in Region VI quarterfinal round play in 2012.