Barton Soccer braves the elements in 5-0 win over Northeastern

Weather elements nor the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen could slow down the Barton Community College men's soccer team Friday as the Cougars cruised to a 5-0 win at the Cougar Soccer Complex.  The non-conference victory improves Barton to 6-3-3 on the season and drops Northeastern to 1-12-1.

With game time temperatures in the low 50's and facing a driving rain, the Cougars struck for two first half goals pelting the Plainsmen defense with fifteen shots, five coming between the posts.  Controlling possession most of the first half, it didn't take the Cougars long to find the back of the net as Jaime Cox finished off a Renan Sousa corner kick with a splendid header just 9:47 into the contest.   Sousa then gave Barton the two goal cushion less than three minutes later finding the inside top post off a Jiro Barriga Toyama cross.

Having a slight wind advantage in the second half, Barton continued the dominance in both possession and shots while holding Northeastern without a launch as the Cougars finished with a 24-1 advantage in shots with thirteen coming on frame.

Matt Sherrod scored the first of the three second half goals punishing a rebound off the keeper 9:36 into the second half.  Christopher Hogg, who continues to display his range from various areas of the field, scored the most spectacular goal of the day with a blast from approximately forty yards to increase the lead to four with 30:30 yet to play.  Barriga Toyama capped the Barton scoring with 16:43 remaining striking a free kick over the protection wall to find the top shelf. 

With hopes of another Jayhawk title still alive, the 4-1-2 second place Cougars' next match will be in nine days before traveling to current third place Neosho County Community College (4-1, 9-3).  Barton and the Panthers will square off at the 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 19, with the winner in prime position in the conference race. Barton's hope rely on a sweep of its last two regular season games against Neosho and Pratt Community College plus get a little help with a loss by both Coffeyville and Dodge City.