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Barton men open soccer season with 3-0 win
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Barton downs KWU JV, 3-0.

SALINA – The Barton Community College men’s soccer team took care of business Sunday afternoon against the Kansas Wesleyan junior varsity. The Cougars scored in the opening three minutes and never trailed in a 3-0 win to open the 2015 season.

Barton dominated play but mustered just three goals in the win – two by returning All-Conference player Renan Sousa.

Sousa scored the first goal of the season on an assist from Lucas Alves just 2:33 into the contest to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Barton would keep that lead until the 12 minute mark in the half when Sousa scored on a penalty kick. He had been taken down in the box to earn the PK.

The Cougars added a third goal in the waning minutes of the match when freshman Emmanuel Poblano scored his first goal as a Cougar for a 3-0 final. Another freshman, Emilio Montanez, picked up the assist on the goal.

“We played very well at times but we missed too many scoring opportunities throughout the game,” Barton coach Aaron Avila said.

Barton got off 19 shots during the game but put just eight of those on goal. The Coyotes, meanwhile, got off just five shots but four were on goal.

All four on goal were saved by a pair of Barton goalkeepers. Juan Parente had three saves playing the final 45 minutes of action while Bruce Turner had one save in the first half after getting the start. Both are freshmen for the Cougars.

Barton will be at home for the first time when the Sterling JV pays a visit to Cougar Fields Thursday for a 5 p.m. kick off.

Barton, with 17 freshmen on its roster, will have time to develop as the Cougars open the season with four straight JV teams.

“We will continue to work hard and get ready for the conference games.” coach Avila said of his young group.

After the four JV’s Barton will host Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa – a traditionally good team that is receiving votes for the Top 20 again this year. That game will precede the conference season for Barton.