Box Score by Benny Benton
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Barton College freshman Brianna Boyd gave the Bulldogs a brief lead early in the second half with her fifth goal of the season, but King University stormed back with three straight goals to take a 3-1 win in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday.
Boyd's goal came unassisted in the 52nd minute, putting BC (6-9-1, 5-5-1) in front after a scoreless first half. However, King (7-10, 5-6) tied the match in the 64th minute on a header by Kara Garrett off a corner kick from Paula Doran, and took the lead for good five minutes later on a goal by Doran off an assist from Kendyl Baird. Garrett added an insurance goal for the Tornado with 7:20 to play, her ninth of the season.
King was credited with a whopping 44 shots in the match, the most allowed by Barton in at least five seasons. However, just 12 of those attempts were on-goal, and Barton junior keeper Haley Sauls saved nine of them.
Barton took five shots in the contest, with Boyd's score the only one on-goal, so King keeper Nicole Dagher did not record a save in the match.
With the loss, the Lady Bulldogs sealed their fate as the No. 5 team in the league and a road match for the first round of next week's Conference Carolinas Tournament.
Barton needed a win over King and an upset loss by the No. 4 team, Lees-McRae College, in order to host the first round. The upset did take place, as Emmanuel College (1-14-2 entering the game) posted a 1-0 win at LMC, but the Lady Bulldogs could not hold their lead to gain the No. 4 spot and the home contest.
The quarterfinal matchup with the Bobcats is slated for Tuesday in Banner Elk, N.C. Lees-McRae won the regular-season meeting between the two squads, 1-0, in Wilson just a week ago on a second-half goal off a corner kick.
