A dominant second half powered the No. 9 Barton Community College men's soccer team Tuesday afternoon, turning a slim halftime lead into a convincing 4-0 shutout road victory at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff.
The win moves Barton to 7-3-2 on the season while Western Nebraska drops to 3-4-5. The Cougars will have the week off before facing Seward County Community College, with the contest expected to be played Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Dodge City due to the ongoing construction at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
Barton opened the scoring in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a Western Nebraska defensive miscue that resulted in an own goal. Holding the 1-0 lead at halftime, the Cougars wasted little time pulling away in the second frame.
Masaki Tsuji doubled the margin in the 51st minute, converting a penalty kick for his team leading ninth goal of the season, before assisting on Gustavo Soares' first collegiate net shaker just four minutes later to make it 3-0.
Angel Sainz capped the scoring in the 79th minute, finishing a pass from Helio Martins for his sixth goal of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Gabriel Bergamin benefitted behind a stout backline that was rarely tested, turning away his lone shot faced to record his fourth victory of the year and secure Barton's fourth clean sheet of the season.
BARTON SCORING SUMMARY
14:25: Own Goal
50:13: Masaki Tsuji (9)
54:35: Gustavo Soares (1); Assist: Masaki Tsuji (4)
78:54: Angel Sainz (6); Assist: Helio Martins (1)