The Barton Community College men’s soccer team opened up the 2015 season Sunday in Salina with a defensively impressive 3-0 shutout victory over the junior varsity squad of Kansas Wesleyan University. Sophomore Renan Sousa scored two first half goals getting the young Cougars off to a good start while a freshman combo connected on a late insurance goal to secure the victory. Barton will return to the pitch on Thursday as the Cougars host Sterling College JV in a 5:00 p.m. home opener kick-off.
Sousa, a second team all-conference and first team all-region player his freshman season, gave Barton the game winner burying freshman Lucas Alves‘ pass to the back of net just three minutes into the contest. After being taken down in the box with twelve minutes remaining, Renan tacked on his second goal and ninth of his career converting the penalty kick.
With only six sophomores on the squad including one resting an injury, the freshman corp of Cougars stepped up throughout the contest teaming up to deliver the knockout punch as Emmanuel Poblano hammered home Emilio Montanez‘ through-ball with just five minutes remaining in the contest.
