Going on the road for a first round Region VI playoff game is something the Barton Community College men’s soccer program has never experienced. Thursday at Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium the sixth seeded Cougars looked comfortable enough away from friendly home turf to upset third seeded Dodge City Community College 3-2 in overtime. The victory improves Barton to 7-5-3 on the season while ending Dodge City’s season at 11-5-2. Next up for the Cougars will be a Sunday road trip to Coffeyville Community College in the Region VI Semifinals as the second seeded Ravens dispatched seventh seeded Johnson County Community College 4-2. The Ravens, 12-4-2 on the season, defeated Barton 5-2 back on September 17 in Coffeyville.
Dodge City struck first nineteen minutes into the contest as the Cougars were unable to clear a Mauro Hipolito pass through the box allowing Ben Carter to finish it off giving the Conquistadors the early lead.
Sixteen minutes later Renan Sousa tied the contest fielding a long throw in from Garrett Pulliam and one-timed it to the top 90. Less than two minutes later the freshman from Brazil gave Barton the lead leaping high in the air to head in a Jiro Barriga Toyama cross.
Looking to carry the one goal advantage into halftime, the Cougars fell victim to a penalty in the box for the third straight game as the Cougars were whistled for the call with a mere 45 seconds on the clock. Dodge City’s Adrian Torres made Barton pay and the teams went to intermission in a deadlocked two-all tie.
Despite being outshot in the second frame, goalkeeper Austin Kail and the Cougar defense kept the season alive turning back four shots on goal.
Barton became the aggressor once again in overtime launching four narrow miss shots including one striking the post. Appearing headed for a second golden goal period, Christopher Hogg put the dagger in the Conquistadors’ season with thirty-three seconds remaining. Receiving a Matt Sherrod pass just inside the 18′ the sophomore from Scotland threaded two defenders finding the far post beyond the diving Conquistador goalkeeper Alex Rodela to record his second game winning goal of the season.
