The No. 6 Barton Community College men's soccer team bounced back from its first setback of the season Wednesday afternoon, using a late first-half free kick from sophomore Masaki Tsuji to secure a 1-0 victory over Coffeyville Community College at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
Tsuji provided the lone tally with 10:26 remaining in the opening half, bending a free kick into the upper-90 for his seventh goal of the season before Pedro Lisboa and the Cougar backline made the one-goal margin stand for Barton's third clean sheet of the season.
The victory moves the Cougars to 7-1-0 overall and 1-1-0 in league play with three points, while the Red Ravens fall to 2-2-3 overall and 0-2-0 in conference. Barton returns to the road Sunday for a 1:00 p.m. conference matchup at Dodge City Community College.
Coffeyville generated the better share of opportunities midway through the opening half, putting three attempts on frame over a five-minute stretch with Lisboa turning each away to keep the contest scoreless.
Barton broke through in the 35th minute after Yuto Saeki's setup feed found Tsuji centrally just outside the 18-yard box, where the sophomore was taken down to earn the free kick. Squaring off against former high school teammate Root Yamazaki in the Red Raven net, Tsuji shaped the ensuing attempt into the left upper-90 for the eventual game-winner and his team leading seventh goal of the campaign.
The Cougars continued protecting the one-goal margin throughout the second half, limiting Coffeyville to just one attempt on frame over the final 45 minutes. Lisboa turned away Henry Gonzalez's attempt with 2:36 remaining to preserve the clean sheet, finishing with six saves in recording his third shutout of the season.
By the Numbers
Coffeyville held a slim 12-11 advantage in total shots and an 6-4 edge in attempts on frame, while Barton generated eight corner kicks to the Red Ravens' four. Rafael Calmon led the Cougars with four shots, while Lucas Meibom added three. Lisboa's six-save performance marked a season high as the sophomore improved to 6-1-0 between the pipes.
BARTON SCORING SUMMARY
34:34: Masaki Tsuji (7)