The NJCAA Region VI men’s soccer championship trophy returned to Great Bend as the No. 6-ranked Barton Community College defeated Johnson County 2-0 on Sunday at Topeka’s Hummer Sports Park.

The Cougars’ Sam McCrillis scored a goal in each half as the Cougars won its fifth Region VI Championship and third title in the last four years. 

McCrillis scored just 9:46 into the game to give Barton the early lead.

Armando Hipolito placed his 40 foot free kick towards the goal where David Lazarof tapped to McCrillis who hammered it home past Johnson goalkeeper Guillermo Aguilar. 

Riding the lead into intermission, the Cougars controlled the tempo, and put up eight shots while the defense limited the Cavaliers to zero.

Playing more conservatively in the second half, McCrillis beat Aguilar for the insurance goal with 15:54 remaining in the game. 

Gonzalo Gelso split the Cavaliers defense on the left wing, and sent a cross pass through the goalie's box to a sprinting McCrillis, who was left with a one-on-one situation with Aguilar.

The sophomore from Shawnee scored, and tied freshman Ebu Camara for the team lead in goals scored at 18.

Under seventh-year head coach Oliver Twelvetrees, Barton has won four region titles and is one game away from a return trip to the national tournament. 

Next up for the 16-2-1 Cougars will be the Plains District Championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas.