The 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team cruised to a 4-0 victory over Coffeyville Community College Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Plains District/Region VI Playoffs held at the Cougar Soccer Field.
Improving to 16-1-3 on the season and advancing to host Wednesday's semifinal match, the top-seeded Cougars await Saturday's victor of the Kansas City Kansas and Dodge City contest. The Red Ravens conclude the 2023 season at 7-8-4.
Leading goal scorer Lucas Constante extended his goals streak to six straight games just 24:54 into the contest, dialing up the first of his three-goal day producing a near post-strike on Kimito Fritz through ball constructing the 1v1 situation.
Defending against the sustained 25-30mph winds in the opening frame and holding the Red Ravens without a shot, Barton would need just 1:19 to benefit on the attack as Constante rebounded home Augusto Militao's deflected saved shot attempt ricocheting off the cross for a 2-0 lead.
Just 1:44 ensuing, midfielder Nicolas Galanis located an uncleared ball from just outside the 18' placing it perfectly near post for his seventh lamp lighter of the year increasing the Cougar advantage to 3-neil.
Constante laid the game on ice with 3:18 remaining netting his second hat trick of the season coming off Yusuf Dabo's sent in corner kick.
Dennis Bottcher benefitted behind a stout defensive backline of Henrique Cruz, Nils Knecht, Lucas Dos Santos, Diego Sano, and Fritz for the sophomore's second shutout of the season and teams eighth.
Barton Scoring:
24:54 Lucas Constante (15); Assist: Kimito Fritz (3)
46:19 Lucas Constante (16); Assist: Augusto Militao (4)
48:03 Nicolas Galanis (7)
86:42 Lucas Constante (17); Assist: Yusuf Dabo (5)
Series Notes:
- Barton went 2-0-1 against Coffeyville this season
- Barton is 2-1-0 against Coffeyville in the postseason
- Barton leads the series in Great Bend 5-3-1
- Barton leads the overall series 13-5-1
Record Book Watch:
Lucas Constante:
- 17 single season goals – Tied 11th with Mlik Jobe (2003) – 1 behind Sam McCrillis (2012) and Ebu Camara (2012) for 9th most
- 22 career goals – 11th all-time – 2 behind Desmond Yankey (2004-2005) and Leandro Reis (2008-2009)
- 38 single season points – 14th all-time – 1 behind Gabrielle Privitera (2019)
- 7 career shutouts – 9th all-time tied with Marty Morris (2004) – 1 behind Nathan Barrnett (2003) and Marco Seyfert (2019)