Lady Tigers move within one win of first-ever national tournament appearance

The No. 9-ranked Cowley College soccer team continues to show the depth of its squad as they had four players score in a 4-0 win over Coffeyville in the Second Round of the Midwest District Playoffs held Thursday at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, KS.

The victory was Cowley's team-record 15^th win of the season, surpassing the 14-win season they had in 2019. The win also advances the Lady Tigers to their first-ever District title game as they are one win away from qualifying for the NJCAA Division I Soccer Championships November 15-20 in Daytona Beach, FL.

"This win was another milestone victory for us, so we are excited about that," Cowley head coach Roberto dos Santos said.

Cowley (15-1-1) will face 11^th-ranked Butler (16-4-1) in the District title game Saturday at 6 p.m. in Wichita.

On Thursday, Cowley got a goal from Leticia Belloni, her ninth of the season, to lead 1-0 at the end of the first half. The score would remain that way until midway through the second half when the Lady Tigers erupted for three goals in a five-minute span.

Cowley would get second half goals from Lucia Fernandez, Natalia Lima, and Manuela Oliveira.

"We did a good job of finishing the opportunities we created and did not let Coffeyville hang around," Dos Santos said.

Sophomore goalkeeper Makayla Farquharson stopped all three shots she faced as Cowley won its ninth straight game. In fact, Cowley began its current win streak with a 3-2 home win over Butler back on October 2. While, Butler has not lost since that defeat.

The Lady Grizzlies ended Cowley's season a year ago by knocking off the Lady Tigers in the District playoffs.

"They got the best of us last year, but we expect another even match," Dos Santos said. "Both teams deserve to be in this position. We know we have a team that is capable of making it all the way, we just have to show up and do it."