WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's soccer team (1-0) pulled out a 3-2 thriller over Eckerd (0-1) Friday evening in the 2025 season opener at the Bulldogs Athletic Complex.
Barton junior defender
Kai Thurston (Harleston, ENGLAND) headed the ball into the net with just 3:21 remaining in the contest right in front of the goal which broke a three-all tie and proved to be the match-winner. Sophomore defender
Luke Copland (Long Island, N.Y.) was credited the assist.
Barton senior forward
Yuki Minari (Komaki, JAPAN) led the way with a goal and assist – both in the first half – as the Bulldogs built a 2-0 halftime advantage. Minari opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
The Tritons rallied to tie the score at two-all thanks to goals from Gavin Spuler (Lutz, Fla.) and Stafford Clarke (Huddersfield, ENGLAND) late in the second half before Thurston's heroics.
Barton held a 14-9 advantage in shots taken while senior
Pedro Bonfa (Sao Paulo, BRAZIL) earned the win in goal after stopping five shots. The Tritons' reserve goalkeeper, Will Stanley (Pensacola, Fla.), suffered the loss despite a pair of saves.
Barton remains at home to take on Florida Southern Sunday at Noon while Eckerd faces Mount Olive on the road Sunday at 1:00 p.m., in Mount Olive, N.C.
