Speedy forwards proved the difference in an NJCAA Region VI tournament quarterfinal game on Tuesday afternoon at Cougars soccer/track complex.
Forward Ebu Camara and midfielder Hector Mata each scored two goals to lead the Barton Community College men’s soccer team over Northwest Kansas Tech.
The Cougars beat the Mavericks 7-1 to advance to a semifinal game against Dodge City on Saturday at Hummer Park in Topeka, starting at 11 a.m.
“We pretty much blew them out,” Barton head coach Oliver Twelvetrees said. “We jumped on them early, I think it was 2-0 after the first 10 minutes. We got in behind their defense with Sam (McCrillis) and Ebu’s speed. Not many teams in the region can keep up with their speed.”
By halftime, the Cougars, who are ranked No. 7 in the latest NJCAA poll, led 4-1, and they scored three unanswered in the second half.
McCrillis, Mariano Gelso and Emmanuel Morris each scored one goal.
Camara is the scoring leader for Barton with 18 goals on the season. McCrillis has scored 15.
The Cougars kept their home winning streak alive. They have not lost a home game since they opened the Cougars soccer/track complex.
“It was nice to be undefeated for the last two years on our home turf,” Twelvetrees said. “It’s nice to get that last home game. It’s good to finish off with a big win.”
Barton defeated Dodge City 3-2 in its last meeting at home on Sept. 5.

                                                                     — Kevin Price