GREAT BEND, Kan. (BartonSports.com) – Mio Tanaka of the Barton Community College women’s soccer team has been named not only the KJCCC, but the national NJCAA Division I Goalkeeper of the Week for week seven of the season.
Tanaka was solid in goal with 15 saves in Barton pair of games last week. On Wednesday, surrendering a wind-aided 25-yard free kick and a point-blank deflected shot, Tanaka held firm in goal posting a career-high 13 saves keeping Barton within striking distance of the eventual 2-1 loss to 6th ranked Butler. On Saturday, Tanaka had two saves for her third shutout of the season helping the Cougars keep pace in the upper half of the standings behind a 2-0 victory at Coffeyville.
A KJCCC honorable mention selection last year, the week seven conference honor is her first of the season and second overall while the national distinction is the sophomore’s first in 34 games tending net for the Cougars.
The week’s results moved Barton into a second place tie at 5-4-2 in league play and 7-4-2 overall headed into its second trip through a tough three-game stretch against ranked opponents.
Following the week away from competition, the Cougars are back on the pitch Saturday hosting 9th ranked Kansas City Kansas Community College for a 3:00 p.m. kick, followed by a Wednesday road trip to No. 18 Hutchinson Community College before 12th ranked Cowley College comes to town on Saturday, October 19.