Facing a three goal first half deficit, the Barton Community College men's soccer comeback fell short Saturday losing 3-2 to Pratt Community College. Playing the final regular season game at the Cougar Soccer Complex, the No. 20 ranked Cougars failed on its bid to win the Jayhawk Conference crown outright in dropping to 8-2-0 and 10-4-1 overall. Pratt, who needed the win just for the opportunity to make the region playoffs, improves its chances in moving to 3-6-0 in conference play and 4-9-0 overall. Despite the loss Barton still claims at least a share of the conference crown, the program's second straight and eighth overall. The Cougars still have a chance to win the title outright but must wait until October 27 when co-leader Coffeyville Community College wraps up season play at Dodge City Community College.
The loss not only dampened the spirit of the conference crown, but also overshadowed the individual accomplishment of Soriba "Ebu" Camara. The sophomore from Hays, Kansas, scored 2:24 into the second half, tying him with Sam McCrillis for second place on the Barton all-time goal list, just one away from Kevin Ellis' 34 goal top mark set in the 2009-2010 seasons.
Pratt played like a team fighting for its lives, scoring the game's first goal 8"44 into the contest. Maurice Diaz, scoring the first of his two first-half goals, gave the Beavers the early lead on a fluke play in Barton's 6' box. Leaping high in the air amongst traffic to grab Pratt midfielder Gregory Roller's shot, Barton goalkeeper Mauricio Vargas simply had the ball slip through his hands where Diaz benefitted by the easy goal.
The Beavers tightened the noose on the Cougars with a little over ten minutes to go in the half when Miseal Reyes found Callum Strang on the left wing to beat Vargas far post. Diaz added an unassisted goal eight minutes later as a defensive misplay set up Diaz's one-on-one leaving Vargas little chance to defend goal.
The Cougars seemed to have gained momentum following Camara's early second half goal but Pratt withstood the Barton increased pressure. Missing numerous second half opportunities, Barton's Juan Correa getting tackled in the penalty box set the game up for interesting closing moments. With 1:52 on the clock, Correa's converted the penalty kick to draw within one giving the Cougars a fighting chance to get the game tied. However the Beavers managed to burn nearly a minute off the clock and dodge Barton midfielder Jovanny Bonilla's 18' blast sailing high and right to hold on for the 3-2 win.
For the first time since 2007, the Cougars have lost two games at home, with the first coming earlier in the conference season to Coffeyville Community College. Despite those two losses, the Cougars went on to capture the Region VI Championship and were runner-ups in the District Championship.
Barton will begin the trek for its sixth regional championship November 2 at the Cougar Soccer Complex against an opponent yet to be determined.