The last loss on the Barton men’s soccer schedule came back on April 21. That loss came to Cowley.

The last loss on the Cowley schedule came when the Cougars avenged that loss a week ago, winning in Great Bend.

The rubber match between the two ranked foes would be the biggest match of the season. It came Sunday in the Region VI Championship game and a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Winner Barton.

The Cougars scored three times in the game’s final 5:29 for a 4-1 win and a return trip to the Stryker Sports Complex and the NJCAA Championships next month.

The 17th ranked Cougars will be one of eight automatic qualifiers with its 12-2-1 mark. Cowley, 11-3 and ranked No. 13, now waits to see if it will be one of four at-large bids.

Barton never trailed. In fact, the Cougars led just 37 seconds and held that lead until late in the game.

Gabrielle Privitera was taken down in the box those 37 seconds in. The results was a penalty kick in the box, which Felipe D’Agostini converted and Barton had a 1-0 lead.

The lead held up for more than 70 minutes.

Both teams showed their strong defense as well as survived each other’s good opportunities through half and well into the second half.

It wasn’t until just 17:41 remained in the game that Cowley tied it. The Tigers scored on a penalty kick of their own and it was game on.

Once again, it was D’Agostini to rescue.

This time the sophomore from Brazil dribbled through the Tiger defense, striking the ball inside the near post for what would be the game-winner with just 5:29 left in the match.

It started when Elijah Williams forced a Cowley turnover near midfield. D’Agostini got control of the loose ball and sprinted 40 yards past and around Cowley defenders for the goal.

But Barton wasn’t done.

The celebration picked up steam with 3:59 to play when Vladyslav Peretyatko scored from 25 yards out for a 3-1 lead.

Just 19 seconds later the Cougars could taste victory. That is all the longer it took for Williams to net Barton’s fourth goal.

Williams got a pass from Cesar Rodriguez on the run and beat an onrushing Cowley keeper to the near post.

Game over.

From there is just a matter of running out the clock as Barton celebrated its seventh region title and fifth trip to the NJCAA Championships.

The NJCAA tournament will take place back in Wichita at Stryker. The event will run from June 5-10.

17 Barton 4, 13 Cowley 1

Barton     1  3 – 4

Cowley    0  1 – 1

Barton – D’Agostini (PK), 0:37

Cowley – xx (PK), 72:19

Barton – D’Agostini (unassisted), 84:31

Barton – Peretyatko (x), 86:01

Barton – Williams (Rodriguez), 86:20

Region VI Playoffs

First round

Wednesday, May 19

E1 Coffeyville 5, W4 Garden 0

W2 Barton 4, E3 KCK 1

W1 Cowley 5, E4 Johnson 0

W3 Dodge 4, E2 Neosho 1

Semifinals

Saturday, May 22

At Stryker Sports Complex

W1 Cowley 4, W2 Dodge 3 (2 OTs)

W2 Barton 5, E1  Coffeyville 2

Finals

Sunday, May 23

W2 Barton 4, W1 Cowley 1

Barton (12-2-1) advances to NJCAA National Championships