ARKANSAS CITY – It had been a good start to the 2015 season for the Barton Community College men’s soccer team. Four expected wins over junior varsity competition then a big win over traditionally strong Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa.

But none of that would have mattered if the Cougars could not win their Jayhawk Conference opener.

Barton did just that on the road Saturday with a 5-1 win over Cowley College in Arkansas City.

The Cougars put the match away in the second half to improve to 6-0 on the season and now 1-0 in the Jayhawk Conference. Cowley is 1-1 in the Jayhawk and 2-3 overall.

Barton wasn’t able to put the game away until the second half outscoring the Tigers 3-0 in the final 45 minutes.

“I knew Cowley would be a tough test for us. They have a very talented team,” coach Aaron Avila said. “The first half was a chess match between two good teams feeling each other out. The second half opened up and we were able to take control of the game. It was a great result for us.”

In fact it was Cowley who scored first in the match, taking a 1-0 lead midway through the opening half. Barton responded with 13 minutes left in the half when Kato Endo scored off and assist from Alejandro Diaz.

Barton was able to take a lead into halftime when some familiar names got involved. Renan Sousa found Jiro Barriga Toyama for a goal with just six minutes left in the opening half.

Barton took quick control of the game in the second half.

Orel Taib made it 3-1 when he scored off an Endo corner kick five minutes into the half. That lead remained until a faithful 10 minute stretch late in the game.

Sousa tallied his second assist with 12 minutes to play when he found Jaime Cox for a 4-1 lead. Sousa notched his third assist of the contest with just 2:50 left on a goal by Matt Sherrod.

Barton will host Pratt Tuesday as the Cougars try to snap a 3-game losing streak to the Beavers. Pratt is currently 2-0 in the Jayhawk and 3-1 overall.