With the conference lead more than likely on the line Saturday, the Barton men’s soccer team first had to take care of some business Wednesday afternoon at the Barton Sports Complex.

The Cougars did just that and can now turn their focus to Cloud County and the Jayhawk West lead.

Barton handled Pratt Wednesday, scoring four first half goals on the way to a 7-0 win over the visiting Beavers.

With the win, the Cougars are now 3-0-1 in the conference and 7-1-1 overall. Pratt is 1-4 and 3-5. The only team ahead of the Cougars are the Thunderbirds with their 5-0 West mark. Cloud is 6-3 overall.

Against Pratt, Barton scored early in the contest then put some separation between themselves and the Beavers midway through the opening half.

Sora Wakabayashi put Barton on top 6:49 into the contest. But it wasn’t until a pair of goals in quick succession midway through the half that Barton took control.

Wakabayashi picked up the assist on an Aiden Hill cross 23:27 into the match for a 2-0 lead. Gabriel Arraes scored less than one minute later on an assist from Tevin Rochester and Barton had a 3-0 lead.

Rochester made it 4-0 just before half.

The Cougars added three more second half goals for the final margin. Roberto Hernandez scored on an Arraes assist and Diego Ribeiro picked up assists on goals by Damia Viader and Colin Roemer.

Felipe Baeza turned back all four shots that came his way in goal as Barton picked up its sixth shutout in nine games.

Next up is the first of two matches between the Cougars and T-Birds that will more than likely determine the West winner. Dodge City (2-1-1) and Garden City (2-2) may have something to say about that but Saturday’s match will be for the outright lead in the West.

The contest will be under the lights at Clark Stadium in Concordia with an 8 p.m. kickoff set.

Barton 7, Pratt 0

Pratt       0  0 — 0

Barton    4  3 — 7

Barton – Wakabayashi (none), 6:49

Barton – Hill (Wakabayashi), 23:27

Barton – Arraes (Rochester), 24:36

Barton – Rochester (none), 42:03

Barton – Hernandez (Arraes), 66:56

Barton – Viader (Ribeiro), 67:53

Barton – Roemer (Ribeiro), 87:38