Box Score by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College women's soccer team played one of its best matches of the year against its best opponent to date, but the Lady Bulldogs left the Barton Outdoor Athletic Complex Saturday with nothing to show for it in a 2-0 loss to league-leading Limestone College.
The Saints, now 12-1 overall and 9-0 in Conference Carolinas, scored with just under six minutes remaining in the first half when Barton keeper Kelsey Rothwell knocked down a shot from the right wing by Alex Mathis, only to have the ball bounce on the ground and roll beneath her across the goalline as she was attempting to smother it.
The contest remained 1-0 until the 81st minute, when Isidora Hernandez found space in the Barton box to finish off a cross from the left wing by Megan O'Connor. The goals for Mathis and Hernandez were both their sixth of the year.
The Lady Bulldogs (5-5-2, 2-4-2) had numerous scoring chances against the Saints and even outshot Limestone in the opening period, 10-9.
Ashley Batchelor, who was honored at halftime along with Rothwell and Emily Futral in Senior Day recognitions, had two good looks at the goal, including the very first attempt of the contest just 1:22 into play. However, both were saved by Limestone keeper Mariette Martinez, who leads the conference and ranks among the top-15 nationally in goals against average (0.41).
Less than two minutes before Limestone's first-half goal, Martinez charged off her line while trying to make a play, and Barton's Taylor Doeble chipped a ball over her from the right wing toward the open net. However, just as the ball was about to cross the goalline, it was cleared away by Saints defender Ashton Bowles.
Three minutes after Limestone's first first-half goal, Martinez made a leaping save, punching the ball just over the crossbar on a shot by Lane Brooks from the far right wing. On the very next play, less than 40 seconds later, she was forced to make another leaping punch-away on an attempt by Della Futral from the far left wing.
Emily Futral, Barton's leading scorer of the season with eight goals, also had a golden opportunity to add one more to her total, but her attempt missed just off the right post.
The Saints enjoyed a more comfortable second half, holding a 10-4 shot advantage in the period. Martinez was forced to make only one of her five saves in the match after intermission, while Rothwell posted four in each half for Barton.
Limestone finished the match with a 19-14 edge in total shots, including a 10-5 margin in attempts on-frame.
The match was the first of four in a span of seven days for Barton. The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Lees-McRae College on Monday to make up a match that was postponed by weather earlier this month. The contest is slated for a 3 p.m. start.
