In a highly anticipated top-15 showdown with major conference implications, the No. 8 Barton Community College men's soccer team executed when it mattered most, edging No. 11 Dodge City Community College 3-2 Wednesday afternoon at Cavanaugh Field in Great Bend.
Salvaging the season series, the Cougars remain second in the Jayhawk Conference standings with 16 points at 5-2-1 and 11-3-2 overall, while the Conquistadors sit third with 11 points at 3-3-2 and 8-3-3 on the season. Barton will now turn its attention to Saturday's 1:00 p.m. clash with conference leading No. 3 Cowley College from Cavanaugh Field in Great Bend.
After an even opening stretch, the Cougars broke through in the 38th minute as Sho Kinjo recorded his first goal of the season, diving to head home Lucas Meibom's well placed free kick into the box to give Barton a 1-0 halftime advantage.
Despite attacking against a 15-mile-per-hour south wind in the second half, the Cougars quickly found a way to increase the margin just two minutes into the frame. Meibom created a second goal off another set piece, this time delivering a corner kick that connected with Gabriel Henrique inside the box for the sophomore's first collegiate net shaker and a 2-0 lead.
Dodge City sliced the deficit in the 60th minute following a favorable foul called, as Keitu Mphomane finished a loose ball inside a crowded box off a David Garcia free kick. Barton immediately restored the two-goal cushion less than three minutes later, as leading scorer Masaki Tsuji fired a nifty far-post strike for his 13th of the year, created initially from Diogo Gimenez pass sent to the far side.
Refusing to fold, a quick reset had the Conquistadors back within 3-2 just 15-seconds later, as Soma Kanazawa's curling shot from the top of the 18 snuck inside the upper-90 right post.
Barton's back line, however, held firm the rest of the way to preserve the one-goal victory and avenge the earlier 2-1 loss at Dodge City.
Goalkeeper Pedro Lisboa finished with three saves in the win, anchoring the Cougar defense that turned away several late Conquistador threats.
BARTON SCORING SUMMARY
37:06: Sho Kinjo (1); Assist: Lucas Meibom (2)
46:44: Gabriel Henrique (1); Assist: Lucas Meibom (3)
61:52: Masaki Tsuji (13)