Seven Barton men's soccer players named to All-KJCCC/Region 6 team #GoBarton
Kinjo’s repeat 1st Team honor headlines Barton’s seven selections
Returning first team selection Sho Kinjo led the Cougars' selection, joined on the top squad by freshmen forward Masaki Tsuji and midfielder Samuele Mailer. Four sophomores landed on the remaining two teams, forward Diogo Gimenez and defender Hayate Furumoto on the second team with defenseman Gabriel Henrique and goalkeeper Gabriel Bergamin earning honorable mention honors.
Their collective impact propelled Barton to a second-place KJCCC finish at 7–2–1 and a runner-up showing in the Region 6/Plains District Championship. Facing eight nationally ranked opponents during the year, the Cougars rose to No. 4 in the NJCAA rankings, earning the program's seventh national tournament berth.
Traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida, Barton opened pool play with a 2–1 victory over Blinn College before falling 4–3 to eventual national runner-up and host Daytona State College, finishing the season 17–6–1.
Complete list of All-KJCCC/Region 6 selections
Sho Kinjo – 1st Team All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Sophomore, Defender - Daito, Japan
Kinjo anchored Barton's back line with discipline, positional intelligence, and the team's highest minutes load, emerging as one of the Cougars' most dependable defensive presences en route to his second straight first-team honor. A consistent 90-minute performer against a schedule loaded with nationally ranked opponents, he helped Barton record seven clean sheets and allow one goal or fewer in 13 matches.
Offensively, Kinjo also delivered timely production, scoring in the win over No. 11 Dodge City and adding goals in both national tournament matches—the game-winner against Blinn and another in the near-comeback against Daytona State.
Masaki Tsuji – 1st Team All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Freshman, Forward - Tokyo, Japan
A three-time KJCCC and two-time NJCAA Player of the Week, Tsuji spearheaded Barton's attack with team highs in goals (14), assists (5), points (33), shots, and game-winners (5), ranking among the conference's most dangerous finishers. He logged six multi-point performances and recorded at least one point in 10 of 17 matches, converting both penalty attempts.
Tsuji added two more goals in the postseason—capping the District semifinal win over Crowder and scoring against Daytona State—finishing with 16 goals and 37 points, marks that place him among the top 15 in program history.
Samuele Mailer – 1st Team All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Freshman, Midfielder - Nuremberg, Germany
Mailer provided composed, two-way production in the midfield, finishing top-four on the team in goals (4), assists (3), and points (11). He produced three multi-point outings, including back-to-back standout performances against Seward County and Garden City, and scored the game-winner in the season opener. His efficiency, passing vision, and ball security solidified him as a key central link in Barton's structure.
Diogo Gimenez – 2nd Team All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Sophomore, Forward - Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
A team captain, Giminez supplied consistent forward-line contributions, ranking third on the team in goals (4) and shots (23). He scored in four matches, including a game-winner against Seward County and a late-season strike at Coffeyville. With a .478 shots-on-goal rate and high work rate, Giminez brought dependable leadership and attacking presence throughout the season.
Hayate Furumoto– 2nd Team All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Sophomore, Defender - Tokyo, Japan
A reliable, positionally disciplined defender, Furumoto strengthened Barton's back line with consistency and composure, contributing to the team's seven shutouts. Offensively, he added a key moment with the game-winning assist against Garden City, showcasing awareness and timing in the attacking third.
Gabriel Henrique – Honorable Mention All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Sophomore, Defender - Indaiatuba, SP, Brazil
Another Cougar captain, Henrique was a durable and influential presence in Barton's defensive setup. He contributed to all seven shutouts while adding timely offensive production. After scoring his first collegiate goal in the win over No. 11 Dodge City, he followed with his first assist—the game-winner over No. 3 Cowley—then supplied another decisive goal in the postseason opener. Henrique capped his career by scoring in the national tournament matchup with Daytona State, sparking Barton's late rally.
Gabriel Bergamin – Honorable Mention All-KJCCC / All-Region 6
Sophomore, Goalkeeper - Araraquara, SP, Brazil
Despite an early-season injury, Bergamin formed a formidable 1–2 tandem with freshman Pedro Lisboa, allowing just four goals in regular-season appearances while posting a standout 0.53 goals-against average, .826 save percentage, four shutouts, and seven wins.
A two-time KJCCC Goalkeeper of the Week, he delivered key performances against ranked opponents, including five saves at No. 1 Iowa Western and a clean sheet against No. 3 Cowley. Bergamin allowed one goal or fewer in seven of nine outings, giving Barton a consistently high-quality presence in net.
