The Barton Community College men's soccer team stood toe-to-toe with a pair of the nation's top-ranked programs over the weekend, earning a neutral field draw against No. 2 Indian Hills Community College before suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at No. 1 Iowa Western Community College.
Barton's two-day trip to Council Bluffs, Iowa, leaves the Cougars at 1-1-1 on the season. The team will have a few days of rest before getting back on the pitch Thursday in McPherson to face Central Christian College in a 5:30 p.m. kickoff.
Barton 1, No. 2 Indian Hills 1Barton opened its two-day trip on Friday playing strong against the Warriors (2-0-1), withstanding pressure before conceding a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
The Cougars responded quickly as freshman Rafael Calmon delivered the equalizer just five minutes later for his first collegiate goal, leveling the match with 10:45 remaining.
No. 1 Iowa Western 1, Barton 0A day later in Saturday's action, Barton nearly stunned the nation's top-ranked Reivers with a result as time was ticking off the clock.
Iowa Western (2-0-1) had broke through the scoreless battle in the 74th minute on a back-post header by Abdulmuni Abdalla off a throw-in.
Barton created late chances of its own including netting an apparent tying goal with just one second left but the would-be equalizer was waved off for offsides.