Barton's Tsuji named to NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer All-America list #GoBarton

Masaki Tsuji of the Barton Community College men's soccer team has been named to the 2025 NJCAA Division I All-America third team.

Already recognized as a United Soccer Coaches All-America performer, Tsuji becomes the program's 24th NJCAA All-America honoree in its twenty-five years of existence and marks Head Coach Rafael Simmons' third NJCAA All-America performer in the last three seasons.

Complete list of 2025 NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer All-America Teams

Masaki Tsuji – 3rd Team NJCAA All-America
The freshman forward from Tokyo, Japan, compiled an outstanding debut season by finishing with the fourth-most goals in the NJCAA Division I ranks (16) and adding five assists accumulating the seventh-highest point total nationally (37).

A first team All-KJCCC/Region 6 selection, Tsuji established himself as one of the region's most dangerous attacking threats, producing six multi-point matches and registering at least one point in 10 of 17 of his regular season contests while converting both of his penalty attempts.

Tsuji also collected three KJCCC and two NJCAA Player of the Week honors during the regular season before adding a pair of goals in postseason play—capping the District semifinal win over Crowder and scoring again in Barton's national tournament finale against Daytona State—earning All-Tournament honors finishing his campaign among the program's top 15 all-time in single-season goals and points.

The efforts helped lead 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' late-season twelve-game unbeaten streak climbed 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 17–5–2.

Previous Barton NJCAA All-America Selections: (*Two-time Selections)
1st Team
Lucas Constante (Forward) – 2023
Gabriel Arraes (Forward) – 2018
Marcelo Carminatti (Forward) – 2008
Felipe D'Agostini (Forward) – 2020-21 *2019 3rd Team with Cloud County
*Kevin Ellis (Defender) – 2010
Victor Gonzalez (Defender) – 2018
*Craig Ratanamorn (Goalkeeper) – 2005 & 2006

2nd Team
Henrique Cruz (Defender) – 2023
Ebu Camara (Forward) – 2013
Bruno Conceicao (Midfielder) – 2005
Trey Davis (Forward/Midfielder) – 2004
*Kevin Ellis (Forward) – 2009
Gabrielle Privitera (Forward) – 2020-21
Renan Sousa (Midfielder) – 2015

3rd Team
Masaki Tsuji (Forward) - 2025
Lucas Alves (Forward) – 2016
Gonzalo Gelso (Midfielder) – 2012
Diogo Quirino (Defender) – 2012

Honorable Mention
Omar Ayache (Forward) – 2006
Michael Brewer (Forward) – 2007
Donovan Dowling (Goalkeeper) – 2008
Malik Jobe (Forward) – 2003
Mario Ulloa (Midfielder) – 2002

Chronological order of Barton NJCAA All-America Selections:
2025 - Masaki Tsuji (Forward) - 3rd Team
2023 – Lucas Constante (Forward) – 1st Team; Henrique Cruz (Defender) – 2nd Team
2020-21 – Felipe D'Agostini (Forward) – 1st Team; Gabrielle Privitera (Forward) – 2nd Team
2018 - Gabriel Arraes (Forward) – 1st Team; Victor Gonzalez (Defender) – 1st Team
2016 - Lucas Alves (Midfielder) – 3rd Team
2015 - Renan Sousa (Midfielder) – 2nd Team
2013 – Soriba "Ebu" Camara (Forward) – 2nd Team
2012 – Gonzalo Gelso (Midfielder) – 3rd Team; Diogo Quirino (Defender) – 3rd Team
2010 – Kevin Ellis (Defender) – 1st Team
2009 – Kevin Ellis (Midfielder) – 2nd Team
2008 – Marcello Carminatti (Forward) – 1st Team; Donovan Dowling (Goalkeeper) – Honorable Mention
2007 – Michael Brewer (Forward) – Honorable Mention
2006 – Craig Ratanamorn (Goalkeeper) – 1st Team; Omar Ayache (Midfielder) – Honorable Mention
2005 – Craig Ratanamorn (Goalkeeper) – 1st Team; Bruno Conceicao (Midfielder) – 2nd Team
2004 – Trey Davis (Midfielder) – 2nd Team
2003 – Malik Jobe (Midfielder) – 2nd Team
2002 – Mario Ulloa (Midfielder) – Honorable Mention