CHARLOTTE, NC – Scoring three goals and accounting for seven total points in two matches against nationally ranked foes, Barton Community College men’s soccer player Rafael Calmon has been recognized as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 Men’s Soccer Player of the Week.
The national honor for Calmon is the first of his career, while becoming the 76th Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference men’s soccer player since 2017 to earn NJCAA Player of the Week accolades. Of the 76 honorees, Calmon is the 56th Division 1 men’s soccer player to earn the award and the 17th Division 1 offensive player to be recognized nationally. Barton has now had 20 NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer Player of the Week award winners, with Calmon joining teammate Pedro Lisboa, who earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors to begin the season during week one (August 24-31).
Rafael Calmon (Barton) – NJCAA D1 Men’s Soccer Player of the Week
Calmon played a pivotal role in number four Barton’s pair of victories over nationally ranked conference opponents, totaling three goals and one assist for seven points on seven shots. The sophomore found the back of the net in both contests, helping the Cougars avenge their lone loss of the season to number seven-ranked Garden City before securing another ranked road victory over number 14-ranked Coffeyville. Calmon struck twice in Wednesday’s 6-0 shutout of the Broncbusters, delivering a demoralizing fourth goal late in the first half before driving another dagger into GCCC’s comeback hopes just six minutes after intermission. Three days later at Coffeyville, Calmon followed with a three-point performance, netting the equalizer with 4:30 remaining before halftime before delivering the corner kick that produced the game-winning goal with 26:30 left in the Cougars’ 2-1 comeback victory.
