Freshman forward Ebu Camara recorded a hat trick as the Barton Community College men’s soccer team finished the regular season with a Kansas Jayhawk Community College victory on Wednesday evening at the Cougars soccer/track complex.
The Cougars, ranked No. 7 in the latest NJCAA poll, shut down Kansas City Kansas 6-0 to improve to 13-2-1 overall, 10-0 in conference play.
The Bluedevils drop to 6-8-2, 4-5-1.
“It was a very solid performance,” Barton head coach Oliver Twelvetrees said. “We scored a lot of goals, created a lot of chances. It was a great effort to finish the regular season.”
With 27:49 remaining in the first half, Camara moved the ball to the right goal post and got a pass past Bluedevils goalkeeper Collin Cook that Mariano Gelso slid to knock into the net.
The Cougars were playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, and a number of forwards struggled to stay onside. Barton was called for 14 offside penalties in the first half.
“They played a high defensive line, and it was difficult to get in behind,” Twelvetrees said. “It took awhile for the boys to figure it out. In the second half, we got it figured out.”
Camara scored the next three goals for the Cougars, getting an assist from Garrett Pulliam for the first one. Camara scored his second goal with 1:17 remaining in the first half to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Pulliam connected with Camara again in the second half to put Barton ahead 4-0 with 34:59 remaining in the game.
Camara is the scoring leader for the Cougars with 16 goals on the season, topping sophomore Sam McCrillis’ total of 14.
“He’s had a phenomenal year,” Twelvetrees said. “He’s had a great year, and he’s been a big difference-maker for us.”
Pulliam, taking advantage of extra playing time as McCrillis was suspended for the game by Twelvetrees, scored his second goal with 26:08 remaining.
Gelso sent a cross pass that found Pulliam at the back door of the goal to make it 5-0.
Jovanny Bonilla scored the final goal for the Cougars, getting an assist from Carlos Salguero.
This was the final regular-season game at Barton for Twelvetrees, who took a job coaching in Florida.
“I’m going to Brevard Community College in Melbourne, Fla.,” Twelvetrees said. “Hopefully, we can finish up this year and get a national title. Finish in style, and then have a new lifestyle and a new challenge down there.”
Two years ago, Twelvetrees accepted a head coaching job at Fort Hays State University, but decided to stay with Barton.
Barton is the No. 1 seed of the upcoming NJCAA Region VI tournament, and will host a quarterfinal game on Tuesday.
“We’ll probably play Northwestern Tech from Goodland, Texas, here on Tuesday,” Twelvetrees said. “We’re ready for the postseason. We’re playing the best we’ve played at the right time. There’s no doubt about it. The last few games have been phenomenal, and we’re a danger.”