Barton County pulls away in the second half

By Mike Pilosof

Garden City, KS-The last time Garden City faced off with conference-rival Barton County, the Broncbusters knocked the Cougars out of the 2016 postseason. When the two teams met again on Wednesday afternoon, it was Barton County serving up a little payback.

The Cougars broke open a 1-1 game at the half with four goals over the final 45 minutes, as No. 14 Barton County got their revenge with a 5-1 victory over Garden City at Broncbuster Stadium.

"They're (Barton County) a very good team," Broncbuster Head Coach Scott Westbrook said after the match. "I mean they're ranked for a reason, and they're on a roll right now."

The Cougars won their third straight match while at the same time snapping Garden City's two-game winning streak.

Colin Roemer got Barton County (6-1) on the board with a penalty kick in the eighth minute of the match after Filippo Reggio was tripped inside the box. But the Broncbusters responded right back, and, in the 18^th minute, Remi Emeriau executed a perfect one-touch shot into the back of the net to tie it 1-1.

"Remi did a nice job there," Westbrook explained. "It was a great shot from about the 18-yard line, and he hit it right over the keepers' head."

The score stayed that way until the opening minute of the second half. Hiroo Kiumura headed a ball in on a corner kick, giving Barton County the lead for good.

In the 55^th minute, Toranosuke Abe fired a long cross to Sora Wakabayashi, who booted home the Cougars third goal.

"In the second half, we got a little sloppy," Westbrook said. "That can't happen against a team like that."

Chris Camilli and Ezra Armstrong added insurance goals, and Garden City found themselves down 5-1 in the 71^st minute.

"We've proven that we can play with anyone, it just a matter of finishing," Westbrook said. "And with a team like that, they convert your mistakes. I thought there was a questionable penalty call against us, but there's nothing you can do about that."

Hemir Lopez, who returned from a shoulder injury, surrendered all five goals for Garden City, who dropped to 2-5 on the year and 0-2 in conference.

Next up: Garden City travels to Hesston on Saturday for a 7 p.m. kick.