GARDEN CITY – With the ranked foes now behind them – all five of them – the Barton women’s soccer teams is focused on finishing the season strong.
The Cougars took that first step Monday in Garden City with a 2-1 Jayhawk Conference win over the Broncbusters.
Barton kept its chances for a top four seed alive and with that a home playoff berth. More likely, though, the Cougars kept from falling into sixth or lower and a first round game against the big three in the conference.
“It was a good conference win on the road,” Barton Coach Aaron Avila said. “They were tied with us in the standings. It gives us some much needed momentum going into Saturday’s game against Allen.”
With the win Barton is now tied for fifth with 12 points alongside Cowley. Barton owns a win over the Tigers earlier this season. Barton is 4-4 in the Jayhawk and 4-6 overall. Garden is now 3-5 and 5-8.
The Cougars stayed on the tail of Dodge City (5-3) with 15 points but the Conquistadors have already beaten Barton so they will be tough to catch. Johnson and Butler are both 8-0 and atop the Jayhawk with Hutchinson third at 6-1.
Barton scored twice in the opening half and held off Garden for the win Tuesday.
It took Jennifer Mendez just 27 seconds to put Barton on the board. The goal was the seventh of the season for the freshman. Maria Rodriguez picked up the assist for the Cougars.
Rodriguez made it 2-0 in the 12th minute as Barton gained control of the game from the kickoff.
That 2-0 lead held nearly the entire game as Garden City wasn’t able to crack the scoreboard until less than six minutes remained in the game.
Barton will look to put together back-to-back wins when Allen County visits the Barton Soccer Complex Saturday. Allen will bring a 2-5 Jayhawk mark to town and a 6-8 overall record.
It will be the first of three straight home games for Barton. Kick is set for 2 p.m.