Behind Masaki Tsuji's third multi goal performance of the season, the No. 6 Barton Community College men's soccer team earned a 3-1 victory over Garden City Community College Wednesday morning at the FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays.
Winners of three straight, the Cougars stay unbeaten in conference play at 2-0-0 while improving to 4-1-1 overall. The Broncbusters, meanwhile, fall to 0-2-0 in league action and 4-2-2 on the season. Barton will have a quick turnaround, traveling to Lamar Community College on Thursday for a 4:00 p.m. (CT) kickoff against the Lopes before returning to Jayhawk play Sunday at Dodge City Community College.
Tsuji's shiftiness opened the scoreboard in the 28th minute, converting a penalty kick after being taken down inside the eighteen to give the Cougars a 1-0 edge.
Just two minutes into the second half, the Cougars struck again. Hayate Furumoto's pinpoint pass from the defensive backline found Rafael Calmon in stride behind the Broncbuster defense slotting a composed finish inside the near post for a 2-0 advantage.
Garden City broke through in the 53rd minute, as Jose Toledo rebounded home Jaden Grant's initial attempt that was turned aside, trimming the margin to 2-1.
In the 78th minute, the Cougars regained the two-goal edge as Tsuji unloaded a one-timer blast from just outside the eighteen, finishing off Briac Mathez precise pass placed at the top of the key.
Barton outshot Garden City 15-7, placing seven on frame compared to the Broncbusters' pair. Reigning Conference Goalkeeper of the Week Gabriel Bergamin recorded one save in net to earn the victory, while Garden City's netminder Ilian Badji turned aside four Cougar attempts.
SCORING SUMMARY
27:21: Masaki Tsuji (6)
48:08: Rafael Calmon (3); Assist: Hayate Furumoto (1)
78:00: Masaki Tsuji (7); Assist: Briac Mathez (2)